STARS is a prospective, multicentre, open-label, dose escalation, Phase IIa study to assess the safety and tolerability of TBO-309, an adjuvant antiplatelet therapy, in patients with AIS.

Acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is caused by a severe blockage of an artery leading to immediate reduced blood flow to part of the brain. Standard therapies target the blocked artery by either dissolving the blockage or removing the blockage. However, even after successful treatment, re-blockage of arteries can occur. The use of an antiplatelet therapy, TBO-309, in addition to standard therapies offers the possibility of improved restoration of blood flow and reduced rates of artery re-blockage.

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with most strokes in Australia being Acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). AIS is caused by a severe blockage of an artery leading to immediate reduced blood flow to part of the brain. Timely restoration of blood flow is critical to preserve brain function. Standard therapies target the blocked artery by either dissolving the blockage (intravenous thrombolysis (IVT)) or removing the blockage (endovascular thrombectomy (EVT)). However, even after successful treatment, re-blockage of arteries can occur. The use of an antiplatelet therapy in addition to IVT/EVT offers the possibility of improved restoration of blood flow and reduced rates of artery re-blockage.

STARS is a prospective, multicentre, open-label, dose escalation, Phase IIa study to assess the safety and tolerability of TBO-309, an adjuvant antiplatelet therapy, in patients with AIS. The study will test the hypothesis that AIS patients who are treated with TBO-309 in conjunction with standard therapy (IVT alone or IVT + EVT) will not experience higher rates of ICH compared to the expected rates of ICH in patients treated with only standard therapy (IVT alone or IVT + EVT).

TBO-309 is a potent, selective and ATP competitive PI3Kβ inhibitor which blocks platelet activation adhesion/aggregation and promotes platelet disaggregation, thereby specifically inhibiting thrombosis without interfering with normal haemostasis. In order to evaluate safety at lower doses, four dose levels in total will be administered using a serial dose-escalation design. Doses will be assigned based on a dose escalation methodology commencing with lower doses assigned early in the study. As safety criteria are satisfied (based on ICH rates) doses will be increased. The dosage strength of TBO-309 to be administered (30mg, 60mg, 120mg or 180mg) will be assigned by the study database.

Patients presenting to hospital with an AIS will be assessed according to the trial inclusion and exclusion criteria by the Principal Investigator, or nominated delegate, on admission to the Emergency Department. Consent will be sought from either the patient or their Person Responsible/Medical Treatment Decision Maker prior to enrolment into the study. Standard therapy, either IVT alone or IVT + EVT, will commence and the TBO-309 will be administered at the same time as standard therapy. Following administration of study drug and treatment with standard therapies, patients will receive usual supportive care either in the Intensive Care Unit or in the hospital ward. Any significant neurological deterioration will require an emergency non-contrast CT head to assess for the presence of ICH. All patients will receive a 24-36 hour MRI or a multimodal CT to assess asymptomatic bleeding, recanalisation and infarct volume.

During the patients hospital stay clinical outcome data will be collected during the study period to document response to treatment and to monitor safety. Study patients will be followed-up for 90 days post-enrolment, or to death, whichever is the earlier.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Patient aged 18 years or more

2. Patient has an acute ischaemic stroke

3. Patient will be treated with either:

   1. Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with alteplase or tenecteplase for a diagnosis of AIS that is confirmed by CT imaging;

      alone/OR WITH

   2. Endovascular Thrombectomy (EVT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery (M1 segment), middle cerebral artery (M2 segment) or with tandem occlusion of both the cervical carotid and intracranial large arteries who either:

   i. presented within 6 hours of stroke onset

   OR

   ii. presented between 6-24 hours after they were last known to be well and clinical observations and either CT perfusion or MRI features indicate the presence of salvageable brain tissue, defined as ischaemic core <70mL with a mismatch ratio >1.8 and absolute mismatch >15mL.

4. Patient has at least a mild grade of neurological impairment i.e. NIHSS of 5 or more

5. Patient has an estimated pre-stroke mRS of less than 4

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patient is considered unlikely to benefit from study intervention defined by one of the following:

   1. Advanced dementia
   2. Severe pre-stroke disability (mRS score 4-5)
   3. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) 3 to 5
   4. Evidence of a large well-defined ischaemic lesion measuring more than one third of the MCA territory

2. High likelihood of undergoing stent insertion and requiring additional antithrombotic(s)

3. Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP >180 or DBP >110, refractory to medical therapy)

4. ICH within the last 90 days

5. Myocardial infarction or stroke within the last 30 days

6. Patient has an underlying disease process with a life expectancy of <90 days

7. Contraindication to thrombolysis i.e. increased bleeding risk

8. Contraindication to intravenous contrast agents including renal impairment or allergy

9. Known treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy or anticoagulant medication

10. Known severe liver disease

11. Known bleeding disorder

12. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or arterial puncture at non-compressible site or lumbar puncture within 7 days

13. Another medical illness or social circumstance that may interfere with outcome assessments and follow-up

14. Known or suspected pregnancy

15. Patients currently participating in another interventional clinical trial

16. Informed consent unable to be obtained from the patient or their Person Responsible/Medical Treatment Decision Maker prior to study interventions

17. Study drug cannot be given within one hour of thrombolytic drug bolus

Independent imaging assessors will review and adjudicate blinded study data to ensure the primary endpoint meets consistent pre-determined diagnostic criteria. This will include centralised review of de-identified CT and MRI/MRA images. Members will be qualified physicians who are independent of the study and not involved in study management.