Safety and Optimal Neuroprotection of neu2000 in Ischemic Stroke With Endovascular reCanalizion (SONIC)

A Phase II, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Multi-center Study to Assess Efficacy and Safety of Neu2000KWL in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke Receiving Endovascular Therapy

Efficacy and safety of Neu2000, a multi-target drug designed to prevent both NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity and free radical toxicity, will be investigated in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving endovascular treatment to remove clot within 8 hours following stroke onset. Neu2000KWL will be administered before endovascular treatment.

Neu2000 was designed as a multi-target neuroprotectant preventing both the NMDA receptor, a Ca2+-permeable glutamate receptor, and free radicals, two major routes of brain cell death in stroke. Neu2000 is a moderate NR2B-selective NMDA receptor antagonist and spin trapping molecule (=free radical scavenger or antioxidant). Therapeutic potential of Neu2000 has been well demonstrated in four animal models of stroke with better efficacy and therapeutic time windows than either NMDA receptor antagonist or anti-oxidant advanced to clinical trials. In human phase I studies of 165 healthy subjects conducted in the United States and China, Neu2000KWL showed promising safety profiles without any serious adverse events up to a single intravenous infusion of 6000 mg that is far beyond the therapeutic target dose determined in animal models of transient ischemic stroke. Very recently, acute endovascular recanalization therapy has been introduced as the new standard care of care in acute ischemic stroke. The present study is aimed to examine efficacy and safety of Neu2000KWL in acute ischemic stroke patients receiving endovascular thrombectomy within 8 hours of stroke onset.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults ≥19 years

2. Patients who were presented to hospitals after onset of brain ischemic symptoms from the base of last normal state and can start Endovascular therapy in accordance with standard practice guidelines within 8 hours after the symptom onset.

3. NIHSS scores on screening time point (admission) ≥ 8 points

4. Patients whose activity is possible without the help of others in the gen-eral condition one day before the ischemic stroke onset. and whose Barthel index scores exceed 90 points

5. Patients whose brain CT and CT angiography imaging confirmed acute ischemic stroke and symptomatic intracranial occlusion at screening and whose occlusion site considered the cause of acute ischemic stroke meets the following conditions:

   ① Carotid T or L type occlusion

   ② M1 MCA

   ③ M1-MCA equivalent (two or more M2-MCAs) However, anterior temporal artery is not regarded M2

6. Patients with ASPECTS on Brain CT without early imaging hyper-enhancement ≥ 6

7. Patients who spontaneously submitted a written informed consent to participation on this clinical study

Exclusion Criteria:

1. a medical history of hypersensitivity against aspirin (salicylates), sulfasalazine or (5-ASA) at screening.

2. Patients who meets the exclusion criteria on imaging in intra-arterial re-canalization therapy ① CTA

   Patients whose imaging shows that the site of occlusion considered the cause of acute ischemic stroke meets the following conditions:

   A. MCA + PCA or MCA+ACA occlusion in Carotid T/L B. occlusion of a bilateral large artery C. simultaneous infiltration of anterior and posterior circulation

   ② absence of the collateral circulation corresponding to one of the followings: A. On CT angiography (MIP-CTA) imaging, absence or minimal collateral circulation at ≥50% of MCA territories, compared with pial filling of contralateral side of the lesion.

3. Patients whose heart diseases corresponding to following conditions were confirmed at screening:

   ① Patients who were diagnosed with myocardial infarction within 6 months at screening

   ② Patients who had severe arrhythmia evoking clinical symptoms (respiratory difficulties, tachycardia etc.) within 6 months at screening.

   Patients whose ECG measured at the stable state at emergency room confirmed the following results:

   A. pulse rate < 50 or >120 beats per minute B. 2nd or 3rd degree AV block is confirmed. C. congenital or acquired QT syndrome is confirmed D. ventricular pre-excitation syndrome is confirmed

4. Patients who were diagnosed with heart failure ≥ class II according to "heart failure classification by NYHA (New York Heart Association)" before screening.

   "heart failure classification by NYHA (New York Heart Association)" Class I: patients with no limitation of activities; they suffer no symptoms from ordinary activities.

   Class II: patients with slight, mild limitation of activity; they are comfortable with rest or with mild exertion.

   Class III: patients with marked limitation of activity; they are comfortable only at rest.

   Class IV: patients who should be at complete rest, confined to bed or chair; any physical activity brings on.

5. Patients who have contraindication to contrast media for brain imaging

6. Patients who are receiving renal replacement therapy such as dialysis, due to acute or chronic renal failure, nephropathy, etc. at screening.

7. Patients who were diagnosed with cancer or received cancer therapy within 6 months at screening or have recurrent or transitional cancer

8. Patients who show high body temperature of 38℃ or more or who need antibiotic therapy due to medical opinion of infectious diseases at screening.

9. Patients who take pharmacotherapy due to liver diseases such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis etc. at screening.

10. Patients who are pregnant or lactating. However, in case of a woman of child-bearing potential, only patients whose non-pregnancy was confirmed can participate in this clinical study.

11. Patients who participated in other clinical studies within past 3 months at the screening time as a base. However, in case of participation in an observatory study without medication, the patients can participate in this clinical study.

12. Patients who were determined unsuitable for participation in this clinical study due to other reasons.