ShearFlow is a pre‐clinical biotech spin‐out from the University of Newcastle and Harvard (Q2 2025), developing a first‐in‐class therapeutic platform to address the largest unmet need in ischaemic stroke: preserving viable brain tissue when reperfusion is delayed or incomplete.

Its lead candidate, Nanonitrate, is a shear‐stress–activated nanoparticle that selectively delivers a potent vasodilator to cerebral collateral vessels—critical alternative pathways that sustain brain tissue during stroke. By responding only to the high shear forces present in these vessels, Nanonitrate increases perfusion precisely where it matters, without systemic vasodilation.

The technology has demonstrated strong preclinical proof‐of‐concept, showing rapid, selective enhancement of collateral blood flow, reduced infarct size, and significantly improved functional outcomes in validated animal models. This represents the first therapeutic strategy specifically designed to enhance collateral circulation in stroke.

ShearFlow’s platform has the potential to extend the treatment window, improve outcomes across a broader patient population, and complement existing reperfusion therapies, offering substantial clinical impact and downstream economic benefits in stroke recovery and care.