<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-06-22T07:57:45Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/92EBA5CD-FF98-46A2-B224-BD4E742D3924" ns1:id="92EBA5CD-FF98-46A2-B224-BD4E742D3924"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/41A03EDC-A5FD-4C71-A2A5-179BED2FC855" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/4CEA1335-A910-468E-ABA1-556BA2718BBA" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/4CEA1335-A910-468E-ABA1-556BA2718BBA" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2026-09-29T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/DCF06BA1-9101-42C8-9AAA-231F5216A706" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2025-03-31T23:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">10148034</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>A novel neurovascular reperfusion system to treat reperfusion injury and deliver neuroprotectants following treatment of ischemic stroke by mechanical thrombectomy</ns2:title><ns2:status>Active</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Collaborative R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>The Cerefuze system ' ReVive' introduces an innovative approach as an adjunct tool for mechanical thrombectomy, pioneering a new method for delivering neuroprotective drugs directly to the brain's microvasculature while also mitigating reperfusion injury.

The proposed ReVive device, the first of its kind, is uniquely designed to seamlessly integrate with the exisiting thrombectomy procedures, enhancing stroke outcomes by restoring microvascular perfusion in ischemic brain regions and overcoming the limitations of standard medical management. Additionally, it is future-proofed for MRI-guided stroke interventions, allowing real-time monitoring of reperfusion to ensure precision and effectiveness during treatment.

A significant barrier in stroke care is the &amp;quot;no-reflow&amp;quot; phenomenon, where damaged brain tissues are not adequately reached by therapeutic agents even after successful thrombectomy, thus limiting the efficacy of neuroprotectants.

Cerefuze addresses this challenge by delivering drugs directly into the microvasculature, ensuring effective targeting of ischemic brain tissue to reduce injury. Current interventions, such as therapeutic hypothermia and remote ischemic conditioning, have shown limited success, and traditional methods of drug administration have struggled with poor tissue penetration. Consequently, numerous neuroprotective compounds have failed in clinical trials, underscoring the need for a reliable solution that Cerefuze can provide.

ReVive's disposable perfusion device is engineered to work within existing thrombectomy workflows, establishing a novel adjunct therapy that significantly improves stroke care. By delivering matrix metalloprotease inhibitors (e.g., Marimastat) to over 90% of the ischemic regions targeted, it aims to reduce tissue damage and improve recovery outcomes.

The Cerefuze system's immediate clinical benefit lies in its capacity to alleviate ischemia reperfusion injury in patients undergoing thrombectomy, enhancing both short- and long-term outcomes.

This innovation is uniquely positioned to fulfill the pressing demand for effective, targeted neuroprotectant delivery post-thrombectomy, setting a new standard in stroke care and offering a promising alternative where current therapies fall short.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>