Hunter Medical Research Institute (*HMRI) forms international partnership with Titan Neuroscience and Medtronic to spearhead the FRONTIER AP clinical trial.

Hunter Medical Research Institute (*HMRI) forms international partnership with Titan Neuroscience and Medtronic to spearhead the FRONTIER AP clinical trial. 

HMRI will be the Academic Research Organisation (ARO) and Sponsor for the Melbourne-based clinical trial, which aims to test a new treatment for acute ischaemic stroke called Endovascular Clot Retrieval or thrombectomy.  

This new treatment has proven effective in removing clots from large vessels in people who have had a stroke. This Phase 2 trial now aims to assess its applicability in medium vessels, potentially unlocking new dimensions in stroke treatment. 

HMRI Chief Partnership and Development Officer, Todd Williams, is enthusiastic about the partnership and the opportunity to deliver an end-to-end clinical trial solution. 
 
“HMRI prides itself on delivering innovative and scalable health and medical solutions. Our whole reason for existing is to transform the health and wellbeing of our communities and this is just another way we are partnering with industry to advance health outcomes, while also shoring up the financial future of medical research in the Hunter,” says Williams. 
 
“HMRI’s partnership with Hunter New England Local Health District, University of Newcastle and the Primary Health Network enables us to deliver and lead world-class clinical trials. Our ecosystem is built and designed to lead clinical trials just like this one.” 

Leveraging a confidential technology from global MedTech leader, Medtronic, the clinical trial promises to expand horizons in stroke treatment and recovery. Titan Neuroscience Research, a leading healthcare research company based in Melbourne, will conduct the clinical trial.  
 
Professor Mark Parsons, a world-leading stroke neurologist and Co-Founder of Titan, says, “This program highlights the immense potential of Australian industry and medical research partnerships to drive technology innovation in the clinical trial space. This is just the first step in what we hope will be a fruitful, long-term partnership with HMRI.” 

The Phase 2 trial seeks to recruit 240 adult patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke within nine hours of stroke onset. The trial commenced in January 2024 and is expected to take around five years, running nationally and internationally across comprehensive stroke centres in Australia and the Asia Pacific.