• The World Health Organization estimates that neurological disorders cause 12 per cent of the world’s deaths
  • Scientists are beginning to understand the extraordinary complexity of the central nervous system, which is where Bioasis Technologies comes in
  • Key to the company’s approach is the xB3 platform, specifically designed to deliver greater quantities of therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier and into the brain

There was a time when big pharma couldn't get enough of brain drugs. Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Eli Lilly were leaders in the 1990s in developing a new class of antidepressants. In the early 2000s, pre-COVID-19, AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb turned new antipsychotic medications into multibillion-dollar businesses.

But the treatment of many brain disorders faced a challenge — the blood-brain barrier. The barrier evolved to protect the brain from any contagions or toxins carried by the bloodstream. However, it also isolates the brain from medications that could be beneficial in fighting neurogenerative disorders. It’s a stubborn challenge that researchers have been trying to combat. Until now, the complicated biology of the brain has defeated attempts to find a gateway into its inner workings.
 

"The great thing about our technology is that it doesn't disturb the brain's normal function behind the barrier. It's really exciting to be able to put this innovative technology to use for patient benefit." — Deborah Rathjen, Ph.D., executive chair of the Board, Bioasis Technologies Inc.

That's a crucial problem because neurological disease affects 1.25 billion people worldwide and the incidence of these disorders is increasing. People suffering from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's could benefit from a variety of pharmaceutical treatments if only a key could be found to open the gate of the blood-brain barrier bastion.

Ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred new interest and energy in the pharma space, which is rapidly transforming thanks to a surge of innovation. New and emerging biotech companies are taking up the challenge of breaking through the blood-brain barrier.

Bioasis Technologies is developing ground-breaking treatments for neurogenerative disorders that we desperately need

One of those companies is Bioasis Technologies Inc. (TSXV: BTI | OTCQB: BIOAF), which is leading the way in developing ground-breaking treatments for neurogenerative disorders. The company and its technology are well-positioned for success in the current environment through the licensing of neuroscience assets.

An example of the licensing model's potential is the recent deal between GlaxoSmithKline and California-based Alector, which will see GSK pay $700 million for rights to two experimental drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, GSK is offering Alector another $1.5 billion, provided certain milestones are met.
 

The two drugs included in the deal both target a protein known as progranulin, which helps control immune system activity in the brain. Alector's lead molecule, AL001, is in Phase 3 clinical trial.

Bioasis also has a progranulin program that uses a different approach to that of Alector (which uses AL001, a humanized antibody). Both approaches seek to address low levels of progranulin in the brain brought about by mutations in the GRN gene, which are the underlying condition of about 40 per cent of frontotemporal dementia cases, including Alzheimer's and ALS.

Bioasis' approach is to deliver progranulin to the brain using its patented xB3 platform. xB3 is a peptide derived from an iron-binding human protein in the blood. It binds with the brain's low-density lipoprotein receptor (LRP1), allowing it to shuttle molecules across the blood-brain barrier. By unlocking the door, xB3 allows the entry of therapeutics into the brain.

"By binding to the LRP1 receptor, xB3 moves therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier to deliver the payload to be released on the other side and into the brain," says Bioasis executive chair Deborah Rathjen, Ph.D.

"The advantage of our technology is that it doesn't disturb the normal function of the blood-brain barrier. This technology has the potential to provide great patient benefit."
 

Achieving R&D success through strategic partnerships is key

Bioasis focuses on partnerships that deepen the uptake of its xB3 technology. The company is collaborating with Aposense, an innovative, Israeli biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of novel drugs. The collaboration is focused on the delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) into the brain, which could provide a non-evasive therapy for strokes and other neurological disorders.

Bioasis has also teamed up with U.K.-based Oxyrane Ltd. to develop an enzyme therapy for the treatment of Gaucher’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Oxyrane is developing enhanced enzyme replacement therapies (ERT) for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) using their proprietary, glycoengineered yeast expression system for efficient targeting of enzymes to the lysosome. LSDs are a group of over 70 diseases, including Gaucher disease, which is associated with severe neurological complications.

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Brain atrophy on MRI of Dementia patient.

The focus of the collaboration is on combining xB3 technology and Oxyrane’s OxyCAT platform. It has the potential to make a substantial difference in the quality of life for those afflicted with the disease.

Not only do partnerships have the potential to develop effective therapies for millions of patients, but they also have a direct impact on the financial health of Bioasis. For example, in its Chiesi deal signed in June 2020 the company may receive milestone payments on Chiesi reaching certain targets in the development process.

If a product is approved and marketed, Bioasis may receive a royalty on product sales. In addition, Chiesi is fully funding all the research and development under the agreement.

"Partnering is an important component of the company strategy, not only to ensure the broadest possible uptake of the xB3 platform but also to underpin the development of the company's internal pipeline through the financial terms these partnerships bring to the company," notes Rathjen.

New CFO and institutional investment with Lind Partners enable Bioasis to deliver its business strategy

Being on the cutting edge of the biotech space can be a risky business. But companies that succeed have more than just great ideas — they have the team to make those ideas a reality and the ability to find the financing to develop them into profitable products.

Bioasis recently strengthened its corporate team with the appointment of Dave Jenkins as chief financial officer. With over 35 years of experience in accounting and finance, Jenkins earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and accounting from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. He has decades of experience assisting companies to raise capital, develop teams, acquisitions and international expansion.

"David is a significant asset to our team, having served companies in multiple sectors including bioscience, software, healthcare and more recently with small biotech companies. He has a great deal of experience in the space," says Rathjen.

The ability to raise capital is another essential factor and Bioasis recently entered into a convertible security funding agreement for an institutional investment of up to $10 million with Lind Partners with an initial investment of $3 million. Lind is an institutional fund manager and leading provider of growth capital to small and mid-cap companies.

The funding will enable Bioasis to fully focus on the execution of its business strategy and gives the company the means to leverage its existing research in lysosomal dysfunction, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation and to generate licensing packages for potential partners.

"This is a timely financing for the company and we're pleased to have Lind's support," says Rathjen.

Positive research results validate Bioasis' xB3  platform's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier

Successful biotech firms also need to have solid research findings to prove the efficacy of their products and indicate their development potential. Published data from a collaboration with industry partner MedImmune (now wholly owned by AstraZeneca), provided positive results, showing the xB3 peptide combines with an interleukin-1 receptor inhibitor to demonstrate efficacy in a model of pain.

Recent data has indicated that this molecule is also effective in reducing symptoms in an animal model of multiple sclerosis.

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A rendering of the brain’s cells.

Another study conducted by Dr. William Jefferies from the University of British Columbia with Bioasis scientists participating validated the company's xB3 platform's ability to cross the brain-blood barrier and its localization in a variety of brain cell types, including neurons, microglia, and glial cells. The study, published in Frontiers in Neuroscience in June, shows xB3 can be used to deliver therapies that can treat brain cancers, neuropathic pain, and lysosomal storage disorders.

To help the company build on that positive data and assist in executing preclinical proofs of concepts, the company recently hired Dr. Jeffrey Sprouse as preclinical program manager. A neuropharmacologist, Sprouse has over 20 years of drug discovery and has held leadership positions at top-tier pharma organizations, including Pfizer. The author/co-inventor on over 60 scientific papers, book chapters, and patents, he obtained his Ph.D. at Cornell University Medical College and his postdoctoral training in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University.
 

Cutting edge technology coupled with a strong leadership team make Bioasis a company to watch

The rapid growth of innovation and breakthroughs in the neuroscience space has attracted increasing attention from both investors and big pharma. It's also put Bioasis on the radar of market analysts like John Vandermosten, senior biotechnology research analyst for Zacks Investment Research, who has been watching the company closely. He thinks one of Bioasis' big strengths is delivering a solution to an unmet need.

"Bioasis' xB3 platform has great potential to get better outcomes for cancer patients and others, which is an unmet need in many areas," says Vandermosten.

"With an effective carrier like xB3, you can make a whole bunch of drugs that are out there and already approved a lot more useful. It's potentially a tool that can help address a number of diseases like breast cancer or other cancers that metastasize."

Vandermosten cites the xB3 platform's potential in a recent analysis of Biosis' investment desirability as one of the key reasons why to own shares in the company. He also notes the company's licensing and funding opportunities with partners like Chiesi Group and Prothena Corporation.

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MRI procedure showing brain scan results.

Vandermosten says having the right team in place is also something that inspires investor confidence.

"It's important to have a good leadership team that has connections and has the confidence of investors and big pharma. Also, remember that big pharma is not exactly the breeding ground for the best new ideas. I see smaller cap companies like Bioasis being the fertile pool where big pharma can go to get those new ideas."

With new additions to their leadership team and having formed important research collaborations with strong companies in their field aligned with strategy, Bioasis is well-positioned to succeed as the biotech/neurogenerative disorders space expands.

"Ultimately, if we can do good, then we will do well," says Rathjen.

"It's about bringing benefit to patients who suffer from very serious brain conditions. By bringing our technology to the forefront through partnership and through our own efforts, then that will grow the value of the company moving forward."

 To learn more about Bioasis and its programs and platforms, visit their website here.

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