New York, New York (NetworkNewsWire) – Known as America’s most
expensive disease, with an estimated cost to the U.S. economy of
$236 billion in 2016, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects more than
5.3 million Americans. Over the next 20 years, the number of those
afflicted with the disease is expected to double. The forecast is
staggering, considering that no effective cure has been found, but
the quest for one continues, with India Globalization
Capital, Inc. (NYSE: IGC) (IGC
Profile), Anavex Life Sciences (NASDAQ: AVXL), Axovant
Sciences (NYSE: AXON), AC Immune Ltd. (NASDAQ:
ACIU) and Biogen, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) all
exploring a variety of approaches to uncover the pathological
pathways of this chronic neurodegenerative disease.
It is believed that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by two types
of legions in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus: senile plaque
composed of the protein beta-amyloid (Aβ plaque), and
neurofibrillary tangle, composed of highly phosphorylated Tau
protein. The surface of neurons has a protein called APP that is
sectioned by enzymes to free up the Aβ protein that is then cleared
by the body. In Alzheimer’s patients, however, there is an
imbalance whereby Aβ protein is not regulated and builds up
abnormally into insoluble fibroles, creating senile plaques.
Currently, India
Globalization Capital (IGC) is the only publicly
traded pharmaceutical cannabis stock that addresses Alzheimer’s
disease, which positions the company with a first-mover advantage
in phytocannabinoid-based combination therapy (http://nnw.fm/0QDQz).
The company’s drug candidate, IGC-ADI, works through a molecular
pathway that allows low doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to 1)
inhibit Aβ protein production, 2) inhibit Aβ protein aggregation,
3) reduce protein phosphorylation, 4) potentially restore
mitochondria function, and 5) potentially redirect the immune
system.
IGC’s evidence supporting this theory is based on two studies
done on tissue and mice at the University of South Florida (USF).
The USF study found 1) THC to be effective at lowering Aβ levels in
N2a/AβPPswe cells at extremely low concentrations in a
dose-dependent manner over a 48-hour period; 2) that THC directly
interacts with Aβ protein, thereby inhibiting aggregation; 3) that
THC was effective at lowering both total GSK-3β levels and
phosphorylated GSK-3β in a dose-dependent manner at low
concentrations; and 4) that low doses of THC can increase
mitochondria function. These studies led to the filing of a patent
by USF entitled, “THC as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for
Alzheimer’s Disease.” IGC acquired the exclusive right to this
patent filing and expects to advance the technology and IGC-AD1
through medical trials.
The theory is further supported by a study conducted by
researchers at the Salk Institute of Biological Studies, who drew
similar conclusions. In June 2016, the Institute, in a news release
(http://nnw.fm/E5Ecm) headlined “Cannabinoids
remove plaque-forming Alzheimer’s proteins from brain cells,”
revealed that its scientists had found preliminary evidence
“that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other compounds found in
marijuana can promote the cellular removal of amyloid beta, a toxic
protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease.”
A look at other approaches in the market emphasize the unique
position occupied by IGC, as well as the exciting potential of
ongoing research. Anavex Life Sciences (AVXL), for
example, is focused on research aimed at treating more than just
the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The company’s lead candidate, Anavex
2-73, recently completed a phase 2a trial in patients with mild to
moderate Alzheimer's disease, showing a favorable safety and
bioavailability profile and dose response curve. Early preclinical
studies generated a great deal of excitement, because they
indicated that Anavex 2-73 could potentially halt or reverse the
course of Alzheimer’s disease through restoration of the body's
homeostasis, according to a report (http://nnw.fm/uN7LN).
At Axovant Sciences (AXON), an air of
expectation is mounting as the company anxiously awaits the outcome
of a phase 3 trial, started in 2015, for its lead Alzheimer’s
candidate, intepirdine. Results are expected by the end of
September 2017. Axovant’s drug works in conjunction with another
Alzheimer’s drug currently in use, donepezil, and acts on the 5HT6
receptor as an antagonist. While donepezil inhibits the loss of
acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain that transmits signals,
intepirdine appears to increase the production of that vital
medium.
In August, AC Immune (ACIU)
announced the discovery of new antibodies that target biomarkers
other than Aβ and tau. A news release (http://nnw.fm/WA9xS) reports that “These
next-generation antibodies were discovered using the company's
proprietary SupraAntigen™ platform, which has already generated
four products in clinical development, including crenezumab
partnered with Genentech/Roche in Phase 3 for Alzheimer's.”
Biogen (BIIB) has also joined the quest for an
Alzheimer’s elixir. Its experimental drug to treat the condition,
aducanumab, is now in pivotal trials. The company’s valuation
soared by more than a billion dollars after analysts at Goldman
Sachs (NYSE: GS) added it to their Equity Conviction List,
according to the Boston Business Journal (http://nnw.fm/HlL7E).
These efforts to defeat Alzheimer’s are fueled by compelling
incentives. Some 5.5 million Americans suffer from the malady,
which kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.
The market potential of a remedy has been estimated at over $5
billion, putting IGC at a sweet spot in the conjecture of the
medicinal applications of THC and disease treatment.
For more information on India Globalization Capital, please
visit: India
Globalization Capital (IGC) or http://www.igcinc.us
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