&NA;TAK 218 is a 5-aminocoumaran that is under development with Takeda in Japan. It is undergoing phase II clinical trials in Japan and phase I trials in the USA for the treatment of stroke. TAK 218 produces neuroprotection by 3 different ways: modulation of sodium channels, lipid peroxidation inhibition and suppression of aberrant dopamine release. It may have potential for treatment during the acute phase of cerebrovascular disease and after traumatic central nervous system injury.