Ischemic Stroke refers to an acute cerebrovascular disease caused by the blockage or narrowing of blood vessels in the brain, resulting in insufficient blood perfusion to the brain tissue, hypoxia and ischemia, and subsequently leading to the necrosis or dysfunction of the brain tissue. Stroke is one of the six most harmful diseases to human health and survival, ranking second only to malignant tumors. Ischemic stroke is the main type of stroke, accounting for approximately 80% of all stroke cases.
Market prospect
Global market：The markets related to cerebral ischemia are all on the rise. The overall market size of cerebral ischemia is expected to reach 1.64 billion US dollars in 2025 and increase to 2.45 billion US dollars in 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.38% from 2025 to 2030. The market size of cerebral infarction treatment was 11.84 billion US dollars in 2025 and is expected to grow to 15.54 billion US dollars by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate maintained at 7.0%.
The Chinese market：Data from 2025 shows that the number of stroke patients in China has exceeded 28 million, among which ischemic stroke accounts for approximately 72%. Based on this, it can be estimated that the current number of ischemic stroke patients exceeds 20 million. In addition, the number of cerebral infarction patients over 40 years old has exceeded 12.42 million, and the proportion of young patients aged 25 to 45 has reached 15%. The trend of younger onset has further expanded the size of the patient group. Each year, there are approximately 3.94 million new cases of stroke, with over 2.8 million new cases corresponding to ischemic stroke. Other data predict that the number of acute ischemic stroke cases will reach 4 million in 2025, indicating that the number of new patients is at a relatively high level.
Current treatment status
| Drug category | Representative drug | Mechanism of action | Limitations |
| Thrombolytic drugs for the acute phase | Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), tenalplase (TNK-tPA) | Drugs that dissolve blood clots and restore cerebral blood flow perfusion | 1. The time window is extremely narrow: rtPA is only available within 4.5 hours of onset, and tenerplase is only available within 6 hours. Only 5% to 10% of patients can benefit. 2. High risk: The incidence of intracranial hemorrhage is approximately 6% to 7%, and in severe cases, it can be fatal. 3. Extremely narrow time window: rtPA is only available within 4.5 hours of onset, and tenerplase is only available within 6 hours. Only 5% to 10% of patients can benefit. |
| Neuroprotective agent | Idaravone | Eliminate free radicals and only act on the oxidative stress pathway in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury | 1. The guideline recommends initiating medication within 48 hours of onset. Beyond this time window, free radical damage has entered an irreversible stage, and the efficacy of the drug has significantly declined. 2. It can only slightly improve the neurological deficit score (NIHSS) of patients, but cannot significantly reduce the disability rate and mortality rate. The benefits for patients with moderate to severe ischemic stroke are particularly limited. |
| Butylphthalide | The mechanism of action of butylphthalide is to improve cerebral microcirculation, promote the establishment of collateral circulation, and inhibit mitochondrial apoptosis. However, the evidence of its therapeutic effect is mostly based on domestic small-sample clinical trials, lacking international multi-center, large-sample, double-blind controlled studies for verification | 1. It is only applicable to patients with mild to moderate ischemic stroke and has poor therapeutic effect on severe cases such as large-area cerebral infarction and brainstem infarction. 2. There are two dosage forms: oral soft capsules and intravenous injection solutions. Oral preparations need to be taken on an empty stomach and are prone to cause gastrointestinal reactions such as abdominal distension, diarrhea, and nausea (with an incidence rate of about 10%). Some patients stop taking the medicine due to intolerance. A too fast infusion rate of intravenous preparations may lead to vascular irritation and phlebitis | |
| Antiplatelet drugs | Aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor | It can rapidly inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent the expansion or recurrence of blood clots | 1. Some patients still relapse after taking the medi- cine as prescribed, and there is a lack of precise means to predict the effect in clinical practice. 2. The risk of bleeding needs to be strictly evaluated. |
KCI•KMQ Pharmacodynamic Evaluation Platform for Stroke Models
The KCI•KMQ stroke model pharmacodynamic evaluation platform features a comprehensive animal model system. The platform has accumulated rich project experience and can meet diverse research needs. At present, the company has established extensive and long-term cooperation with many well-known domestic and foreign pharmaceutical enterprises and research institutions, providing a solid foundation for the development of innovative drugs.
Introduction to Ischemic Stroke Models and Case sharing
01 Mouse MCAO model
Molding standard
Cerebral blood flow decreased by more than 20% 30 minutes after ischemia.
The behavioral Longa score was ≥2 1 hour after ischemia.
Model data
02 Rat MCAO model
Molding standard
Cerebral blood flow decreased by more than 20% 30 minutes after ischemia.
The behavioral Longa score was ≥2 1 hour after ischemia.
Model data
Case Sharing – The Efficacy of Small Molecules
• Statistics of cerebral infarction area
Case Sharing – The Efficacy of Peptides
The administration of the positive drugs edaravone, dexcamphenol and butylphthalide for 7 days and 14 days can both reduce the neurological function damage in the rat model of cerebral ischemia and shorten the time for sticker removal.
CPD administration can effectively protect brain tissue and reduce infarction area 1 hour after ischemia, 1 hour after reperfusion, and 3 hours after reperfusion.
Case Sharing – The Efficacy of Stem Cells
03 Non-human primate MCAO model
Molding standard
Ischemia for 6 hours, brain injury area ≥16%
Model data
• Changes in cerebral blood flow
• Differences in cage-side behavior and feeding behavior at different ischemic times
• Changes in brain MRI images at different ischemic times: T2, 2D, FSE, Dor
Case Sharing – The Efficacy of Small Molecules
• Changes in cerebral infarction volume
Case Sharing – The Efficacy of Peptides
• Changes in cerebral infarction volume
Case Sharing – The Efficacy of Stem Cells
On the 8th day of the NHP permanent ischemic cerebral infarction model, after 16 weeks of MSC treatment, the behavior improved significantly
Molding standard
The infarct area is ≥8% after 3 hours of ischemia
Model data
• Changes in brain MRI images
• Behavioral changes
