PROJECT SUMMARY Current therapy for patients with ischemic stroke is limited and new treatment is needed since the mortality and morbidity of this population remain high. Effort aimed at blocking immune cell- mediated inflammation with enhanced inflammation resolution represents a novel approach. The specific background for the proposed project is that we have identified a lead drug candidate through our collaboration with Dr. Kenneth A. Jacobson at NIH and have demonstrated anti-stroke efficacy in an established murine ischemic stroke model and have shown potency in blocking human P2X4R in myeloid cells of healthy subjects. The Company is collaborating with its academic partner University of Connecticut School of Medicine’s research laboratories, and Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases of NIH. The Company, with its resources, has had STTR Phase 1 funding and should be well positioned to perform IND-enabling studies. The objective of the grant is to conduct IND-enabling process chemistry, GLP manufacturing of the lead compound and safety/toxicity studies. The proposed studies should add to scientific knowledge on the chemistry and pharmacology of P2X4 antagonists and may also yield new insights into the science of such an anti-inflammatory approach. Pending successful outcomes, the proposal should position the Company to prepare an IND application to the FDA.