Evolution of ischemic stroke drug clinical trials in mainland China from 2005 to 2021.

In the past 17 years, great progress has been made in the research and development (R&D) of drugs and clinical trials for ischemic stroke in mainland China. The most extensive progress was observed in TCMs, antithrombotic therapy, and cerebral protection agents. More clinical trials are needed to confirm whether the newly developed drugs can improve the clinical efficacy of ischemic stroke. Simultaneously, more pharmaceutical R&D efforts of innovative drugs are warranted.