tPA for Stroke

Each year nearly 700000 people in the United States will have a stroke. A drug known as tPA can drastically reduce the long-term disability associated with stroke if it is administered within the first three hours after the event occurs. Many of those who are lucky enough to be treated with tPA have made full recoveries--to the extent that one can hardly believe they suffered a real stroke. Others still do not receive the drug; many suffer permanent disabilities and many die.Authors Zivin and Simmons argue that most Americans have never heard of tPA. Why would such an effective pharmaceutical one that has a remarkable rate of success with the third leading killer of Americans be so disregarded? tPA for Stroke: The Story of a Controversial Drug explains the drug''s beginnings within pharmaceutical giant Genentech and its eventual marginalization due to a convergence of unfortunate political fiscal and medical circumstances. Readers will learn about an extraordinary treatment for acute stroke that they may then seek if a stroke occurs and anyone interested in the unique process of drug development marketing and promotion told from an insider''s perspective will have an interest intPA for Stroke.