A paradigm shift in stroke and brain injuries

Edvince is a Swedish pharmaceutical company developing vascular treatments of acute neurological conditions based on a preclinically validated mechanism of action and a pipeline targeting delayed cerebral ischemia in vascular disease. In aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, the company has observed a strong clinical efficacy signal in its Phase 2a trial. Edvince has a scalable business model with significant potential for value growth.

• At present, there are no effective treatments for the brain damage resulting from delayed cerebral ischemia following various forms of stroke, causing severe motor and cognitive impairment.

• The are approximately 12 million new cases of strokes globally every year, of which approximately 2/3 relate to ischemic stroke (clot in brain artery) and 1/3 to hemorrhagic stroke (brain vessel rupture and delayed vasospasm).

• The global incidence of Edvince’s targeted indication for its lead program, aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is approximately 6.1 per 100,000 people per year or 8.3 per 100,000 people per year.

• aSAH is a subset of hemorrhagic stroke with a devastating neurovascular emergency and is an orphan indication.

Despite the significant unmet medical needs, developing new drugs for stroke has been an area that has long remained a scientific and commercial challenge. According to research carried out by Edvince’s scientific team, this is not primarily due to a lack of resources or shortcomings in drug design – but rather to an incomplete understanding of the biological mechanisms that cause brain damage following stroke and other acute neurological events.

There is therefore a significant medical need for new, effective medicines during the acute phase of the disease to prevent the onset of brain damage following a stroke, and Edvince is set to make such treatment possible for patients with stroke and brain damage.

Edvince’s researchers have not only identified and mapped the damage processes involved, but have also developed a drug candidate that actively counteracts them, which in a clinical trial has shown a strong clinical signal of efficacy, resulting in reduced brain damage. For the first time, there is therefore the potential to break the long-standing deadlock in stroke care and offer patients a novel treatment opportunity, which may lead to better recovery.

An effective medicine, based on these scientific findings and supported by successful clinical development, would represent a decisive breakthrough in how stroke is understood and treated – with improved levels of outcome not previously been possible to achieve.

The novel mechanism is applicable to secondary brain damage following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) and other stroke indications. Edvince’s initial clinical focus and lead program targets aSAH which will validate the mechanism of action. In addition to the lead program EDV2209, which is administered via a intracerebroventricular catheter (i.c.v.), Edvince is also conducting research to develop a formulation that can be administered intravenously (i.v.). An i.v. formulation will enable additional opportunities within other indications causing DCI and with significant business potential. 

Edvince’s business model has been built for flexibility and clear value generation at every stage of development. By combining scientific excellence, an orphan drug focus, a low-cost structure and a scalable pipeline, Edvince is well placed to create lasting value for patients, healthcare and investors.