A new stroke clinical trial at Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center represents a significant leap forward, offering new hope for stroke patients in the Sacramento region and beyond. Photo courtesy of Dignity Health

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – Dignity Health Mercy San Juan Medical Center, a recognized leader in advanced neurological care, proudly announces it has enrolled California's first patient in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial. This global study is evaluating a promising new neuroprotective treatment for ischemic stroke, with Mercy San Juan joining an exclusive group as the ninth enrollment in the U.S. and 28th worldwide. This achievement represents a significant leap forward, offering new hope for stroke patients in the Sacramento region and beyond.

The trial focuses on a potential first-in-class neuroprotective medication from Pharmazz, designed to safeguard brain tissue and improve outcomes for patients following an ischemic stroke. As the most common type of stroke, an ischemic event occurs when a blood vessel supplying the brain is blocked, leading to a critical deprivation of oxygen and nutrients. Stroke remains a leading cause of adult disability globally. By investigating, researchers aim to determine if the drug can help mitigate brain damage and significantly enhance neurological recovery.

“Mercy San Juan has a long-standing commitment to pioneering advancements in stroke care, and enrolling California's first patient in this Phase 3 trial is a testament to that dedication," said Dr. Lucian Maidan, neuroendovascular surgery specialist at Mercy San Juan. “For decades, true neuroprotection after an acute stroke has been an elusive goal. This study represents a critical step towards a potential new therapy that could profoundly improve the lives of stroke survivors, directly impacting their ability to regain function and independence.”

Mercy San Juan’s leadership in stroke care has been consistently validated; it was certified by The Joint Commission in 2014 as the first Comprehensive Stroke Center north of the Bay Area.

This elite designation, part of the Dignity Health Neurological Institute’s extensive capabilities, recognizes its ability to treat even the most complex stroke cases, providing 24/7 access to an unparalleled suite of services including: a dedicated neurocritical care unit for complex stroke patients; high-volume neurointerventional radiology services for intricate cerebrovascular conditions like brain aneurysms and stroke; advanced imaging capabilities, including 3-Tesla MRI, biplane angiography, and CT perfusion, available around the clock; a dedicated vascular neurology service that extends beyond hospitalization; and active participation in cutting-edge stroke research, continually translating discoveries into patient care.

“This milestone builds directly on our decade of leadership as a Comprehensive Stroke Center,” added Austin Manning, president and CEO of Mercy San Juan. "Our participation in this global trial underscores our unwavering commitment to bringing the most advanced, potentially life-saving treatments to our community. Patients at Mercy San Juan receive a unique level of comprehensive care, and this innovative trial reinforces our mission to deliver exceptional, compassionate care and drive medical progress."

The Phase 3 trial, known as RESPECT-ETB, plans to enroll more than 500 patients across multiple sites in the U.S., Germany, Spain, and the UK.

Mercy San Juan is a Joint Commission Certified Comprehensive Stroke Center. Under the umbrella of CommonSpirit Health, the second largest health care system in the U.S., Mercy San Juan leverages the CommonSpirit National Neuroscience Collaborative to actively participate in leading-edge research, including launching multiple CommonSpirit hospitals in the Pharmazz trial.