Drug Developed from Protein Present in Vampire Bat Saliva Could Reduce Stroke Damage

A drug developed by using the protein present in vampire bat saliva could be an effective treatment in reducing the damage caused by strokes due to blood clots.

More than 40 hospitals across UK are currently testing the effectiveness of the drug, known as Desmoteplase, among patients who are unable to quickly reach the life saving medicine within the first four hours after they suffer a stroke.

Researchers believe that the new drug could extend the time period to nine hours meaning that patients who suffer stroke while they are asleep can get treatment in time after waking up.

It is thought that if everything goes well, the drug could be widely used in three years' time


Source: Medindia