In a historic achievement, Chinese clinical scientist Wang Yongjun was awarded the William M. Feinberg Award for Excellence in Clinical Stroke at the 2025 International Stroke Conference (ISC) in Los Angeles. This accolade, established by the American Stroke Association, is the highest honor in stroke clinical medicine and marks the first time an Asian scientist has received it in its 34-year history.
Wang, the president of Beijing Tiantan Hospital and the Chinese Stroke Association, has dedicated over three decades to advancing stroke research. His team has generated 12 pivotal studies that have reshaped clinical guidelines and treatment practices for stroke patients globally.
\"It is very fortunate that our team has been a major force in providing evidence of intravenous thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke,\" Wang remarked. He continued, highlighting ongoing clinical trials exploring thrombolysis with Tenecteplase for minor ischemic strokes, basilar artery occlusion, and very late-time window interventions.
One of Wang's significant contributions is expanding the intravenous thrombolysis time window from 4.5 hours to 24 hours through the integration of imaging and artificial intelligence technologies. This breakthrough allows 90 percent of acute ischemic stroke patients to receive timely therapy, thereby reducing the disability rate by 8.8 percent without increasing the risk of intracranial hemorrhage.
Additionally, Wang's team developed a combination treatment using aspirin and clopidogrel, which has successfully lowered stroke recurrence rates globally from 11 percent to 6 percent. This advancement has benefitted nearly one million stroke patients in China alone.
Emphasizing the power of collaboration, Wang noted that over 2,400 hospitals across China are part of their expansive clinical research network. This collective effort underscores China's commitment to addressing the heavy burden of stroke through innovative research and effective prevention strategies.
Over the past decade, scientists from Beijing Tiantan Hospital have completed more than 50 national clinical studies, with 14 of them offering Chinese solutions to international challenges in stroke prevention and treatment.
The ISC, a three-day event attended by approximately 4,000 professionals, showcased the latest advancements in stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation, celebrating Wang's remarkable contributions to the field.
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Chinese scientist Wang Yongjun wins Feinberg Award for stroke research
cgtn.com
