Stroke patients treated intravenously with loberamisal, a novel neuroprotective medication, daily for 10 days starting within 48 hours of symptom onset had better recovery than those receiving placebo, according to preliminary findings presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2026. The phase III clinical trial, conducted across 32 centers in China, enrolled 998 adults aged 18 to 80 with moderate to severe ischemic stroke.
“Neuroprotective agents may help improve patient outcomes since they are aimed at preserving the function of neurovascular units. However, trials for most of these agents have not been successful,” said study author Shuya Li, M.D., director of the Clinical Trial Center at Beijing Tiantan Hospital. “New treatments for stroke may come from multi-target neuroprotective agents, which could lead to important advancements in reducing or preventing disability after a stroke.”
Participants received either a daily 40 mg intravenous infusion of loberamisal or a matched placebo for 10 days, initiated within 48 hours of stroke onset. At 90 days, 69% of the loberamisal group achieved excellent functional recovery (little to no disability on the modified Rankin Scale) compared to 56% in the placebo group. The treatment was deemed safe, with no increased risk of serious side effects or death.
The study’s limitations include its exclusive conduct in China, potentially limiting generalizability. Additionally, only about 17% of participants received standard IV clot-busting medication, and patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were excluded. “We want to confirm our findings with larger groups of people, including people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, patients with more severe strokes and those who also have had vascular surgery,” Li said.
The American Stroke Association’s new 2026 Guideline for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke notes that neuroprotection has garnered renewed interest, highlighting current knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. This trial represents a potential step forward in stroke care, though further research is needed to validate the results across diverse populations and to understand the underlying biomarkers.
For more information on stroke types and treatment, visit the American Stroke Association’s stroke resources.
