Abu dhabi: A large international study has revealed promising results for asundexian, an investigational anti-clotting medication, which has been shown to reduce the risk of stroke in individuals who have recently experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) caused by a clot forming outside of the heart (non-cardioembolic stroke). Importantly, this reduction in stroke risk does not come with an increased risk of bleeding, a serious complication often associated with existing stroke prevention treatments.
According to Emirates News Agency, the study involved 12,327 adults from 37 countries who were enrolled within 72 hours of experiencing a non-cardioembolic stroke or a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain (TIA). Published by The New England Journal of Medicine, the study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of asundexian in preventing subsequent strokes in these patients.
Currently, stroke prevention in similar cases largely depends on antiplatelet medications, which are known to reduce risk only modestly and can increase bleeding when used in combination or over long-term periods. Asundexian, however, operates differently by targeting Factor XIa, a protein involved in harmful clot formation but with a minimal role in bleeding prevention. By blocking Factor XIa, asundexian aims to prevent dangerous clots while allowing the body's natural bleeding control mechanisms to function, introducing a novel approach in anti-clotting medication supported by the OCEANIC-STROKE study results.
Despite these promising findings, asundexian remains under regulatory review and is not yet approved for clinical use.