Despite guideline-directed therapy, many patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) remain at risk for secondary stroke. Yet concerns about bleeding, particularly intracranial hemorrhage, leave these patients undertreated by current regimens. Emerging factor XI (FXI) and factor XIa (FXIa) inhibitor therapies offer a promising new approach by targeting thrombosis while preserving hemostasis, but many involved in stroke prevention are not aware of these emerging therapies and how they work differently than other antithrombotic agents. Due to this clinical gap, The France Foundation (TFF) partnered with the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) to develop an educational initiative that prepares neurologists for this advancement: Rethinking Secondary Stroke Prevention: The Emerging Role of Factor XI Inhibition.

The response from learners has been remarkable: within three months, the program achieved well over half of its projected learner goal, demonstrating both the urgency of the topic and the effectiveness of the collaborative educational strategy of ISTH and The France Foundation. Unlike education centered on established therapies, this initiative was designed to prepare clinicians for a rapidly evolving area of medicine and potential new treatments on the horizon before these approaches become part of routine practice.

Many neurologists have limited familiarity with the role of FXI/FXIa in thrombosis versus hemostasis, uncertainty interpreting data from key clinical trials, and concerns about how potential new therapies might fit into patient care while minimizing bleeding risk. Rather than simply presenting trial results, we designed Rethinking Secondary Stroke Prevention: The Emerging Role of Factor XI Inhibition to build a foundation of knowledge that clinicians can apply as the evidence continues to evolve.

Turning Complex Science Into Practical Learning

This learning experience combines foundational science, emerging clinical evidence, and team-based education for neurology HCPs. Expert faculty guide learners through the unmet needs of patients at risk for recurrent ischemic stroke, and explore how FXI/FXIa inhibition may address some of these needs, including research from pivotal and ongoing clinical trials.

Real-world cases focus on questions neurologists encounter every day:

• How should clinicians approach patients with recurrent ischemic events despite current therapy?
• How can thrombotic risk be reduced without substantially increasing bleeding concerns?
• Which patients may ultimately benefit most from emerging FXI/FXIa inhibition strategies?

By combining scientific context with the unmet needs of patients, the program helps learners move beyond understanding what the data show to considering how future evidence may influence clinical practice.

Collaboration That Strengthened Educational Impact

The success of Rethinking Secondary Stroke Prevention: The Emerging Role of Factor XI Inhibition reflects the complementary strengths of both organizations. ISTH brings internationally recognized expertise in thrombosis, hemostasis, and the rapidly evolving science surrounding FXI/FXIa inhibition. The France Foundation translated their expertise into an engaging educational experience through evidence-based instructional design, interactive learning strategies, outcomes planning, and broad audience engagement. Together, we created an initiative that reaches clinicians while the science is still emerging, helping prepare health care teams before new therapeutic approaches become part of everyday practice. This educational activity was supported through an educational grant from Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Following participation, clinicians rated themselves highly confident in differentiating the role of FXI/FXIa in thrombosis versus hemostasis, interpreting emerging clinical trial data, and applying FXI/FXIa inhibitors to clinical scenarios. Learners are also reporting that the activity prompted them to consider changes in practice related to these emerging therapies, and that they are planning to educate colleagues about the unique mechanism of FXI/FXIa inhibition.

Advancing Education Before Practice Changes

One of the greatest opportunities in continuing medical education is preparing clinicians before innovation reaches widespread clinical adoption. As therapies targeting FXI/FXIa continue to advance through clinical development, neurologists will need to interpret new evidence, evaluate patient selection, and integrate potential emerging treatment options into complex clinical decision making. Through ISTH's scientific leadership and TFF’s expertise in educational strategy, this initiative is helping clinicians build that readiness today.

Contact us using the form below to discover what’s possible when scientific expertise, educational innovation, and strategic collaboration come together to equip health care professionals with the knowledge and confidence to improve patient care in rapidly evolving therapeutic areas.