CARDIFF, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 04/07/09 -- NI Research has released the April issue of NeuroInvestment, which reviews the status and prospects of treatments for stroke. Approximately 700,000 patients in the US suffer a stroke each year, yet there continues to be but one drug approved for its treatment, with caveats that have limited its use to about 3% of those patients.

This review discusses the surviving novel thrombolytic candidates; what remains of once-favored neuroprotectant tactics; and assesses the prospects for regenerative approaches not dependent upon a tight post-stroke window of opportunity. The ascendancy of clot-busting devices and the development of a new paradigm for stroke treatment that relies on anecdote rather than data are also discussed.

Among the companies whose programs are covered in this review are:

CytRx
GrupoFerrer
D-Pharm
Ferrer
KeyNeurotek
Lundbeck
M's Science
Neuren
NeuroProtect
Neurotune
NoNo Inc.
Paion
ReNeuron
StemCell Therapeutics
Sygnis
Vernalis
Xigen

The April issue of NeuroInvestment also takes a pointed look at the mega-merger virus which has now infected Merck and Schering-Plough; the collaborative work some Big Pharma scientists are doing in the hope of bringing BP CNS drug development out of its doldrums; the significant setback suffered by Lilly's mGluR program; and the recently floated question of whether Cephalon's Provigil may be addictive. The issue also includes a review of Medivation.

Recent issues reviewed schizophrenia and migraine. Coming issues will cover the areas of pain and epilepsy.

About NeuroInvestment: NeuroInvestment is the independent, monthly review of the neurotherapeutics area. A one-year subscription is $1700, email or hardcopy. Add $250 for dual delivery, add $50 for airmail delivery outside North America. A three-month trial subscription is US$500.

A recent sample issue of NeuroInvestment is available for download at: http://www.neuroinvestment.com/NewNeuroInvestment.html.

NI Research is the leading publisher of independent research on the neuropharmaceutical/therapeutic industry. NI Research has published NeuroInvestment since 1995, the Private CNS Company Review since 2003; and CNS Disorders/Therapeutics, an annual compendium of all neuro-oriented R&D programs, since 2007.

NI Research has developed an unmatched information base regarding both publicly and privately held neuro-oriented companies, and offers M&A/licensing consultation and custom research for large and small pharmaceutical firms.