Precision Neuroprotection for Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are debilitating neurological conditions characterized by progressive damage to the central nervous system (CNS; i.e., brain, spinal cord, optic nerve). Current treatments often focus on secondary processes like inflammation (for MS) and plaque accumulation (for AD), while largely failing to directly address the root cause of the pathology: irreversible neuronal damage. At Bivium Biosciences, we are flipping the script and pioneering next-generation neuroprotective therapies that target the root causes of neurodegeneration.
Our Science: The Foundation
Our approach combats neurodegeneration in MS and AD in a novel way. To fully appreciate the innovation of this strategy, it is essential to understand the root causes of these diseases, and the shortcomings of current therapeutic options.
The Foundation w/ Dr. Tara DeSilva
Sit back, relax, and let Bivium’s scientific inventor, Dr. Tara DeSilva, walk you through our scientific approach – starting with the pathology and current treatments for MS and AD.
Pathology and Treatments of MS
Aberrant immune activity destroys myelin, therapies slow but don’t stop disease progression.
In MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective coating around nerves called myelin, damaging neurons and disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body. This leads to symptoms like muscle weakness, vision problems, and cognitive issues.
Treatments tend to focus on modulating the immune system to help reduce flare-ups and improve overall quality of life, but they can’t stop the gradual nerve damage that causes long-term disability.
Pathology and Treatments of AD
Plaques cause neuronal damage, treatments ease symptoms but do not prevent neurodegeneration.
AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes severe memory loss, confusion, and changes in personality and behavior. It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain associated with death of neurons.
Current treatments can ease symptoms by attempting to improve memory or slow plaque buildup, but don’t stop damage to neurons that leads to permanent cognitive decline.
A vastly superior therapeutic approach would be to target the root causes of neurodegeneration, preventing neuronal damage and death. However, due to an insufficient understanding of the exact biological mechanisms involved, viable therapeutic targets have thus far remained elusive. Until now…
Precision
Neuroprotection
This is where Bivium Biosciences enters the arena. Several recent discoveries made by our team at the Cleveland Clinic have identified key molecular players involved in the glutamate-mediated neurodegenerative cascade, uncovering novel therapeutic entry points to address the root causes of these devastating diseases.
Precision
Neuroprotection.
Our Novel Insights & Innovative Treatment Strategy
Specifically, we have clarified key mediators of excitotoxic glutamate that initiate cell death pathways in both neurons and the myelin sheath, which insulates neuronal axons to propagate nerve transmission. Leveraging this knowledge, we are developing a precise treatment strategy to block these harmful processes, safeguard neuronal health, and halt disease progression in both MS and AD patients.
Our Unique Advantage & Therapeutic Approach w/ Dr. Tara DeSilva
Sit back, relax, and let Bivium’s scientific inventor, Dr. Tara DeSilva beautifully explain our unique insights and our therapeutic approach.
Our Precision Neuroprotective Strategy
Our preclinical data strongly suggest that by blocking (1) sources of pathological glutamate on brain-resident immune-like cells, or (2) targets for glutamate on neurons and myelin, we can protect neuronal integrity.
Highly Specific, Brain-Penetrant Biologics
To overcome the many challenges of creating therapeutics for neurological conditions, we are developing proprietary biologics that are designed to have high specificity to the target molecule – reducing off-target effects – and a small size, allowing it to penetrate the blood brain barrier, a highly desirable quality in this setting.
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