Stroke Management: How Gene Therapy and Smart Wearables Streamline the Treatment Process?

Highlights

• Introduction
• The evolving potential of gene therapy and smart wearables
• Key partnerships and R&Ds

Strokes pose a challenge to healthcare as they need prompt and precise evaluation, therapy, and recovery. Nevertheless, managing strokes often involves complex procedures, collaboration among healthcare practitioners, and customized treatment schemes. Recent advancements in telemedicine and AI now facilitate early stroke detection, while robotic tools assist in rehabilitation treatments. 

The global stroke management industry is expected to showcase a notable CAGR of 7.4% by 2032. The stroke management industry has expanded due to technological advancements, surge in geriatric population, and rise in awareness of early detection of underlying conditions that lead to stroke. Technological progress in stroke diagnostic techniques plays a pivotal role in driving the stroke management sector. These advanced techniques enable precise examination of the brain and offer high-resolution imaging.

Gene therapy has gained popularity

As individuals age, the risk of stroke increases, and there are currently limited treatment options available for promoting brain repair and recovery. Gene therapy offers a solution by introducing genetic material into cells to alter their function or encourage tissue repair. In stroke management, gene therapy shows significant promise in fostering neurogenesis, amplifying synaptic plasticity and reducing inflammation. 

Genetic therapies deliver brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to enhance functional outcomes and stimulate neuronal regeneration after a stroke. Moreover, gene therapy targets specific molecular pathways implicated in stroke pathogenesis, minimizing neuronal loss and safeguarding against secondary damage. For instance, Remedium Bio, a gene therapy startup based in the U.S., focuses on developing treatments for neural and other diseases. Remedium Bio’s gene therapy platform, Prometheus, enables safe, effective, and long-lasting delivery of therapeutic genes, with the added advantage of easy post-treatment dose adjustment. These vectors have been extensively studied and confirmed to be effective in addressing a wide range of patient needs and therapeutic applications.

Smart wearables enhanced the efficiency of stroke management

Stroke survivors are at a heightened risk of complications such as heart issues, infections, and recurrent strokes. To address these issues, wearable devices equipped with connectivity features and advanced sensors, such as fitness trackers and smartwatches, emerge as valuable tools for stroke management. By continuously tracking activity levels, sleep patterns, and vital signs, wearables provide real-time data to both patients and healthcare providers. 

This continuous monitoring facilitates early detection of warning signs, enabling prompt intervention and decreasing the probability of complications. In addition, wearables integrate specialized applications offering personalized exercise regimens and medication reminders. This blend of interactive features and monitoring enables stroke survivors to actively adopt healthier lifestyles and engage in their recovery journey.

For instance, KnitRegen, a UK-based startup, specializes in textile technology designed for muscle training and recovery, with a specific focus on stroke patients. Its wearable therapy solution incorporates smart textile components, a unique bead that seamlessly integrates into everyday clothing. This bead delivers timed impulses to selectively activate or suppress muscle activity by assisting in the restoration of body movement following a brain injury. Beyond stroke rehabilitation, KnitRegen's technology has applications in neurological rehabilitation for a range of conditions, as well as in muscle training for sports and general well-being activities.

Frontrunner's strategies to maintain dominance in the dynamic sector

The global stroke management industry is dynamic, and top players have adopted prominent strategies to strengthen their position in the competitive sector. These strategies involve collaborations, new product launches, acquisitions, and mergers. Several frontrunners are heavily investing in R&D to discover highly efficient techniques. For instance, the Australian biotechnology firm, Argenica received approval to proceed to Phase II clinical trials of ARG-007 for treating acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients in October 2023.

 Argenica Therapeutics obtained clearance from the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, with the trial's first patients expected to participate in 2024. ARG-007 is designed to safeguard brain cells from injury post-stroke, potentially distinguishing it from existing medications, although it faces competition in the industry.

On the other hand, Royal Philips, a prominent figure in health technology on a global scale, and the World Stroke Organization (WSO), the sole international non-governmental body dedicated to stroke, announced a two-year partnership in October 2023. Their collaboration aims to enhance access to top-tier stroke care. Drawing on their mutual dedication to enhancing stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and support, Philips and WSO are expected to utilize their respective strengths to increase public awareness of stroke as a significant global health concern. 

To conclude, the global stroke management industry has witnessed transformation due to advancements in stroke management technology, rise in geriatric population, and heightened awareness of early detection of underlying conditions that lead to stroke. However, the integration of AI and ML is projected to offer prolific growth opportunities for the industry in the upcoming era. 

For a detailed estimation of the global stroke management industry, connect with our experts today!

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