ICBII Overcomes the Challenge of Enabling Drugs to Reach Brain Cells

Innovative California Biosciences International, Inc., A private Biotech company based in La Jolla, CA has profoundly succeeded in the development of proprietary antibody mimics; the SMART Molecules, which are said to diagnose and treat diseases of the Central Nervous System in humans. This opens the road for endless possibilities to cure brain-related diseases and even cancers of all types in the near future. Around 60 million people suffer from diseases of the Central Nervous System like Alzheimer’s (AD), Parkinson’s (PD), and Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA-P) worldwide. Parkinson's disease is a result of nerve cells malfunctioning inside the brain. Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is common among older adults, is an irreversible degeneration of the brain that disrupts memory, basic cognition and function leading to death from complete brain failure. These individuals are deprived of even the basic human functionality. To date, there are no methods for diagnosing and halting progression of such neurodegenerative diseases of the CNS and no permanent cure is available to remove the root cause. Present treatments only provide temporary symptomatic relief. Mainly because of their inability to penetrate across the formidable blood brain barrier (BBB); which is a highly selective permeable membrane. This membrane allows the entry of only specific molecules across it, and, into the brain. Realizing a void in the treatments available for these brain diseases, and motivated to help the affected, Dr. Ram Bhatt, alongside a team of scientific experts, opened ICB International, Inc., in the year of 2008 with a set goal to develop curative drugs that reached brain cells. As a result of untiring efforts, ICBII witnessed a breakthrough in this technology - the SMART Molecule. The SMART Molecule is short for “Specific Molecular Architecture for Recognition and Therapy.” These molecules have been clinically tried on live mice afflicted with the disease and proven to pass the formidable BBB; the blood brain barrier. Thus reaching the problematic targets in the brain. Not only that, they also have the ability in changing the pathogens responsible for causing the disease and providing a potential cure. Dr. Ram Bhatt has a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Queen Elizabeth College, London, UK. He has more than 35 years of scientific and executive experience in the biotechnology industry with 32 publications and more than 25 patents. On the May of 2014, ICBII received first formal third-party validation provided by Dr. Eliezer Masliah of the University of California. Followed by UCSD and CMIS Canada. “The recent discoveries place ICBI among the potential world leaders in efforts to develop diagnostics and therapies for brain disorders,” says the founder of ICBII, Dr. Ram Bhatt. Two patents have been issued to ICBII in Europe. Six other in the US. And several European patents are at various stages of prosecution. ICBII has also received three grants enabling them to further develop the research. The first granted by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the second being that from the Michael J Fox Foundation (MJFF). With worldwide prevalence of brain disorders and increased demand of effective treatments and supply of BBB-permeable-drugs, BBB technologies have become one of the key focus areas of researchers and companies. The Commercial market for AD, PD, and MSA drugs amounts to $30 Billion resulting in various partnerships and collaborations that are playing a role in the advancement of this market. Many capital firms are supporting the start-ups working in this field. In addition, Many companies, as a part of their business model, are handing out licenses for such technologies to the established players in this industry. ICBII plans to commercialize in the future. To start human experimentation immediately and establish licensed drugs to be used for AD, PD, and MSA. There are three phases to making this technology accessible to the general public. In the first phase, ICBII claims that this technology can be completed within a time span of 18 to 21 months with a total amount of 20 Million Dollars which will be used in supporting a staff of 27 scientists and 10 administrative employees. The second phase includes mainly large scale production of drugs following GMP or Good Manufacturing Practices. Starting with filing an IND application with the US FDA which will be done after a time spell of 15 to 18 months has passed from the day a funding of $20 Million has been received. The third phase is a “big pharm” business engagement which will require an $80M to complete. Numerous clinical trials for as long as 21 months, on the victims of aforementioned diseases will be done under strict supervision. The total expense that will be incurred tantamount to 120 Million Dollars so far. Despite unraveling many positive results Dr. Bhatt looks into the future in a much practical approach and points out that even though the initial trial results are very exciting; there is still a considerable hard work waiting before this new and unprecedented technology gets approved for use on humans. But still, no matter how we look at it, ICBII has unwrapped long-gone hope for the many affected victims of brain related diseases telling them that the cure might just be within their grasp. Copyright © 2019 by Tehseen Khalid.