Boehringer Ingelheim and Emfret Analytics sign collaboration and license agreement to advance a first-in-class antibody therapy for acute ischemic stroke
Eibelstadt, Germany – 30.03.2026
Emfret Analytics GmbH & Co. KG today announced the signing of a collaboration and license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop a first-in-class, antibody-based preclinical program for acute ischemic stroke. Under the terms of the agreement, Emfret receives an undisclosed upfront payment, additional success-based development, regulatory and commercial milestone compensation, plus tiered royalties based on potential net sales.
The antibody candidate targets the platelet collagen/fibrin receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and is intended for administration in the acute setting, on top of established standard-of-care reperfusion therapies. GPVI is an immune-type platelet receptor that drives harmful thrombo-inflammatory responses in acute ischemic stroke. The licensed antibody potently inhibits this pathway while preserving normal hemostasis and has shown strong protection from infarct growth in preclinical models.
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with around 11.9 million new cases each year and 93.8 million people living with long-term consequences. Despite advances in prevention and acute care, the global burden of stroke continues to increase due to population ageing and growth. This underscores the need for new therapeutic approaches that can further improve outcomes in the acute setting.
The collaboration brings together Professor Dr. Bernhard Nieswandt’s pioneering research in thrombo-inflammatory mechanisms with Boehringer’s expertise in cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases and the development of standard of care therapies for stroke.
“Acute ischemic stroke is a time-critical emergency, and many patients still experience poor outcomes despite today’s treatments,” said Professor Dr. Bernhard Nieswandt, Co-Founder and CSO of Emfret. “By addressing a central thrombo-inflammatory target, this collaboration explores a a novel complementary therapeutic approach with the potential to further improve outcomes when added to established therapies.”
“Boehringer Ingelheim has helped shape acute stroke care for decades,” said Søren Tullin, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research at Boehringer Ingelheim. “This collaboration builds on that heritage, reflecting our commitment to develop novel approaches with potential to transform patients’ lives.”
This collaboration represents an important step toward broadening the treatment landscape for stroke and reflects the partner’s shared ambition to deliver meaningful advances for patients worldwide.
About Emfret Analytics
Emfret Analytics GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German biotechnology company dedicated to the development of platelet receptor–targeting antibodies for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Founded in 2002, the company maintains a close and long-standing collaboration with the University of Würzburg, an internationally leading center for basic and translational platelet research. This partnership provides the scientific foundation for the design of novel research tools and translating advanced platelet biology into innovative therapeutic strategies. Emfret focuses on areas of high unmet medical need, such as stroke, acute lung injury, and selected autoimmune disorders.
The strategic partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim on the company’s first clinical development candidate underscores the potential of a novel class of antibody-based therapeutics designed to precisely modulate pathogenic platelet activity while preserving essential hemostatic function. Learn more at https://www.emfret.com
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,300 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier and more sustainable tomorrow. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.
