Unlocking Potential: Sovateltide as a Game Changer for Small Strokes

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Sovateltide in patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke beyond the thrombolysis eligibility period. Methods: We conducted a prospective, open-label clinical trial involving 20 adults diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke confirmed by neuroimaging and presenting more than 4.5 hours post-symptom onset. Participants received intravenous Sovateltide (0.3 μg/kg), administered in three doses over one day, with repeat doses on days 3 and 5. Primary outcomes included changes in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores from baseline to 72 hours. Secondary outcomes assessed functional independence using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 30 days and safety monitoring through adverse events. Results: Among the 20 patients, those with small strokes (n=16) demonstrated significant improvements in NIHSS scores, indicating better neurological outcomes. In contrast, patients with large strokes (n=2) showed no improvement, and those with moderate strokes complicated by tubercular meningitis (n=2) experienced no recovery. Conclusion: Sovateltide seems an effective treatment option for patients with small ischemic strokes, while its utility is limited in larger strokes and in cases associated with tubercular meningitis. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment protocols and identifying patient populations that may benefit from Sovateltide.