Another venomous animal with perceived therapeutic value is the vampire bat Desmodus rotundus, specifically through isolation of a 441 amino acid fibrin-dependent plasminogen activator from its venom.97,98 Later named desmoteplase, this thrombolytic agent effectively breaks down blood clots by converting plasminogen to plasmin.97 Desmoteplase was investigated as a potential therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke,99 however, despite promising initial observations, desmoteplase was subsequently terminated following lack of prominent efficacy in a phase III clinical trial.100, -102. Here, PLG is linked to ischemic stroke.