A turning point in Alzheimer's disease therapy: treating the immune system to repair the brain
Developing novel therapies that target the immune system and trigger brain repair to combat neurodegeneration
About ImmunoBrain Checkpoint
ImmunoBrain Checkpoint (IBC) is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel neuroprotective immune therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. IBC licensed its platform IP from Yeda, the commercialization company of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. IBC developed a proprietary fully human anti-PD-L1 antibody, engineered based on its mechanism of action to treat Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. IBC plans to start its first-in-human clinical trial in early 2022.
Scientific Platform
The peripheral immune system plays a key role in maintaining the healthy brain, and helps mitigate neurological diseases
Age-related Immune dysfunction is a major contributor to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders
Boosting the immune system can restore the brain-immune network needed for neuroprotection and brain function
Lead Program: IBC's Alzheimer's Disease Therapy
A novel, proprietary antibody targeting PD-L1 to treat Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Periodically blocks the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory immune pathway
Facilitates mobilizing macrophages to the brain
Macrophages remove the neurotoxic form of misfolded proteins
Activates multiple processes of brain restoration
Rescues synapses and reduces inflammation
Restores brain function
Overcomes disease heterogeneity
High immunological safety profile compared with clinically approved PD-L1 antibodies
Partnerships
Team
Prof. Michal Schwartz
Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer
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A world-renowned expert in Neuroimmunology who pioneered the field of nervous system repair, protection, and maintenance by the immune system. Schwartz is a professor of Neuroimmunology at the Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS).
She was the first to suggest, against the prevailing dogma at the time, that circulating immune cells are essential for supporting life-long functional brain plasticity in health and disease, and should be harnessed to help fighting brain pathologies.
These results led to the paradigm-shifting approach of developing an immunotherapy to combat neurodegenerative diseases. Her scientific publications have been extremely influential, as reflected by their high citation score. Schwartz has received numerous national and international awards, and served as president of the International Society of Neuroimmunology (2016-2018).
Eti Yoles, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
Eti Yoles, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer
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More than 20 years of high-level experience in managing biotechnology research and development, specifically in the field of neuro-immunology. Prior to joining ImmunoBrain Checkpoint, Eti served as CSO of Immunobrain Therapies, and prior to that, as managing director of NeuroQuest and as VP of Product R&D at Proneuron Biotechnologies. Dr. Yoles holds a B.Sc. in biology, M.Sc. in physiology, and Ph.D. in neurobiology from Bar Ilan University.
Jesse M. Cedarbaum, MD
Acting Chief Medical Officer
Jesse M. Cedarbaum, MD
Acting Chief Medical Officer
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Served as Vice President, Movement and Neuromuscular Disorders Clinical Development at Biogen Idec between 2014-2019. Prior to joining Biogen, Dr. Cedarbaum was Vice President, Global Clinical Development for Neuroscience at Bristol-Myers Squibb, where he was responsible for late-stage programs in neurology and psychiatry. He has also held senior clinical development positions at Cytokinetics, Elan and Regeneron.
Mr. Nathan Hevrony
Co-founder and Executive Chairman
Mr. Nathan Hevrony
Co-founder and Executive Chairman
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Investor with a large portfolio of holdings with 35 years of experience in private equity and merchant banking, and 22 years of experience financing and developing life science technologies. Chairman of the Board and the controlling shareholder of Babcock Power. Board member and investor in various private companies. Philanthropist.
Carol David, Ph.D.
VP Manufacturing and Product Development
Carol David, Ph.D.
VP Manufacturing and Product Development
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Over 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience. She has worked for both diagnostic and biopharmaceutical companies, following products from early development through regulatory submission. Most recently, Carol was head of the Biosimilar CMC group at Teva Pharmaceuticals, leading a multi-functional team for development of several biosimilar products. Carol holds an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Immunology from the WIS, and has post-doctoral experience at Yale University.
Kuti Baruch, Ph.D.
Head of Research and Development
Kuti Baruch, Ph.D.
Head of Research and Development
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Over 10 years of biomedical research experience in the fields of neuroimmunology and therapeutic approaches to neurodegenerative conditions. During his Ph.D. studies at Prof. Schwartz’s laboratory, his research focused on brain-immune system crosstalk in neurodegenerative diseases, and targeting the peripheral immune system as a novel therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease. Kuti holds a M.Sc. in Medical Science from Tel-Aviv University, and a Ph.D. in Neurobiology from the Weizmann Institute of Science.
