Navistroke

Press Release, July 2019

July 20, 2019

A second study is just published in the renowned scientific journal ACS Nano. This is a continuation of the former study, where the research group already showed that the indigenous biomaterial hyaluronic acid (HA) can be efficiently developed into nanoparticles, offering a highly biocompatible delivery platform for targeted imaging and precision therapy of atherosclerosis. In this new study, that was co-funded by Sensi Pharma, a next step was taken to better understand the details of the trafficking of these HA nanoparticles into the atherosclerotic plaque. A better comprehension of the characteristics of this platform will aid in the application of endo-cannnabinoid based nanoparticles in research, such as the recently started NAVISTROKE research program, and eventually the clinic.

As described in the former ACS Nano publication the research group used HA nanoparticles to target atherosclerotic plaques in experimental models. They showed that this nanoparticle platform offers beneficial characteristics for the accurate and efficient delivery of therapeutic and diagnostic compounds, including cannabinoids and related ligands, to atherosclerotic lesions. This was a result of favourable pharmacokinetics, cost effectiveness and the high affinity of these nanoparticles for immune cells within the atherosclerotic plaque.

Read the full press release here.

Scientific Research Project Navistroke Fully Up and Running

June 15, 2019

Every year, approximately 43,000 people suffer a stroke. In case of a stroke, part of the brain receives insufficient oxygen. This leads to the failure of important brain functions, and in many cases, even to death. The scientific research project Navistroke was set up to tackle this important social problem. Navistroke’s goal is to deploy the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids to limit the damage after a stroke.

In order to achieve this goal, a Grant was awarded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) in order to achieve a collaboration between universities and the industry. This collaboration consists of research groups of Leiden University, Amsterdam UMC and the University Medical Center Utrecht. This team of researchers is joined by the industrial partners Sensi Pharma and Enceladus and is supported by experts in the areas of (endo-)cannabinoids, immunology, nanomedicine and neurology.

Reducing further damage after stroke

October 22, 2018

After a stroke, the inflammation that clears up the damage can remain active for too long. That results in extra damage. The NAVISTROKE project investigates whether nanoparticles with cannabis-like substances can dampen or prevent harmful effects.

In the Netherlands, about five people will have a stroke in the next hour. The next hour, five others and that goes on continuously, day in and day out. We count 125 strokes per day, about 46,000 per year. 9,000 of all people with stroke die. Many of the 37,000 survivors suffer from severe cognitive impairments, movement disorders or other disabilities after the recovery.

The objective is not only to reduce the number of strokes as much as possible, but also to promote the recovery therapeutically. By encouraging people to eat healthy and exercise sufficiently. By reducing the risk with medication where necessary. But even afterwards – if the stroke has already happened – improvement may still be possible. This is the aim of NAVISTROKE (Nanomedicine to Visualize and Treat Inflammation after Stroke). Read the complete article here (in Dutch).