ImmunoBrain Checkpoint (IBC) is a clinical stage biotechnology company transforming the fight against neurodegeneration and aging by targeting the immune system, restoring brain immune communications and boosting natural repair mechanisms. IBC’s lead program is a proprietary antibody targeting the inhibitory immune checkpoint pathway, PD-1/PD-L1, to treat Alzheimer's disease. IBC's novel approach for the treatment of neurodegeneration is based on years of innovative, cutting-edge scientific discoveries made in the lab of Professor Michal Schwartz at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel.
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
A novel, proprietary antibody targeting PD-L1 to treat Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Blocks the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory immune pathway
Facilitates mobilization of 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
Advantageous immunological safety profile compared with clinically approved PD-L1 antibodies
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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
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.
Mr. Nathan Hevrony
Co-founder and Executive Chairman
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.
Sharona Raveh, Ph.D.
VP Manufacturing and Product Development
VP Manufacturing and Product Development
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Over 20 years of experience in global biopharmaceutical companies, running operations and R&D teams, leading CMC and CMO activities from early phase development through commercial production. Most recently, Sharona served as Senior Director, Head of Bio-Analytical Development, CMC Biosimilars for Teva Pharmaceuticals. Prior to that Sharona served as Director of Analytical Development and CMC project manager in BTG, Ferring. Sharona holds an M.SC. from Ben-Gurion University and Ph.D from PARIS VI University and Pasteur Institute in protein engineering, structure and function.
Kuti Baruch, Ph.D.
VP Research and Development
VP 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.
Dalia Bracha (RN, BSN, MPA)
Head of Clinical Management and Operations
Head of Clinical Management and Operations
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An experienced clinical Project Manager with more than 20 years of demonstrated management of global clinical studies (phase I-IV) across the US, EU and Israel, having worked across large global pharmaceuticals and emerging biotech companies.
Ronit Epstein-Monin, M. Pharm, MPH
Head of Regulatory Affairs
Ronit Epstein-Monin, M. Pharm, MPH
Head of Regulatory Affairs
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Regulatory affairs professional with over 20 years of hands-on experience in the development of innovative medicinal products. She has in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements for the development of drug-device combination products, drugs and biologics from early phase development through to phase 3 trials and subsequent NDA and MA. Ronit has worked in large biotech companies with wealth of experience in communications with the FDA and the EMA.
Alex Kertser, Ph.D.
Head of Pipeline and Discovery
Head of Pipeline and Discovery
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Neuroimmunologist with over 10 years of experience in pre-clinical project management, assay development and in-depth understanding of experimental animal models.
Dr. Kertser holds a B.Sc in biology and chemistry from the Hebrew University, and both M.Sc and Ph.D in Neuroimmunology from the Weizmann institute of Science.
Shai Braiman, M.Sc.
R&D scientist
R&D scientist
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Over 8 years of experience biomedical research. Prior to IBC, Shai worked in Sheba Medical Center in the field of induced pluripotent stem cell (IPS). Shai holds M.Sc. in Molecular Immunology from Bar-Ilan university, focusing on immune cells signalling. Currently Shai is also an M.B.A student in the open university.
Roee Hevrony
Chief Financial Officer and Head of Business Development
Chief Financial Officer and Head of Business Development
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Prior to joining IBC in 2015, Roee worked for Babcock Power, Inc. in its nuclear power generation unit as a business controller and started his career as an investment banker with Merrill Lynch. Roee holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Columbia University (magna cum laude) and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Tommaso Croese, MD
Medical Director
Medical Director
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Neurologist with a special focus on the contribution of immune cells in the development and progression of neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer’s Disease, and over 10 years of experience in preclinical models. Tommaso received his medical degree from the University of Genoa and completed his residency in neurology at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. He is currently pursuing a PhD in neuroimmunology at the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Paul Aisen, MD
Moses Chao, Ph.D
Michael Davidson, MD
George Garibaldi, MD
Lon Schneider, MD
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Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Director of the California Alzheimer’s Disease Center, the Department of Psychiatry Geriatric Studies Center and co-director of the clinical core of the University of Southern California Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (National Institutes of Health).
Philip Scheltens, MD
Dr. Jan Egebjerg, Ph.D
Mr. David Ben-Ami
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Over 25 years of experience in the health sector. His activities span from management to business development, corporate strategy, and entrepreneurship in the life sciences industry. Mr. Ben-Ami was the Founder and Executive Chairman of NASDAQ-listed company Macrocure Ltd. from 2008 to 2016.