Oxeia advances development of oxe-103 to treat concussions

Oxeia’s lead program, OXE-103, uniquely targets the metabolic injury and energy crisis underlying acute concussion pathology.

OXE-103 restores mitochondrial homeostasis via a well-characterized mechanism of action and may help curtail on-going neurodegenerative processes. While at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Vishal Bansal discovered OXE-103’s treatment potential in concussion through his pioneering work on the neuroenteric axis and brain injury. The research resulted in intellectual property that has been exclusively licensed to Oxeia.

Oxeia chief scientific officer and co-founder Vishal Bansal said: "The neuroenteric axis is a powerful mediator of gut and brain physiology, and increasingly important to CNS drug development. From this research, we have identified OXE-103, a molecule with significant potential to treat neurometabolic dysfunction in concussions. In doing so, we may be able to improve overall brain health and recovery."

Oxeia also announces the appointment of veteran biopharmaceutical industry executive Mark Iwicki to its Board of Directors.

Oxeia chairman of the board of directors and co-founder Amit Munshi said: "Mr. Iwicki has over 25 years of leadership experience and has been instrumental in the success of a number of drugs including CNS products such as Lunesta and Latuda, his experience is a tremendous asset to Oxeia."

Dr. Mark Corrigan, a noted biopharmaceutical executive and CNS drug developer heads up the Oxeia Scientific Advisory Board. He is joined by Dr. Ross Zafonte, Head of Physical & Rehabilitative Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and SVP of Medical Affairs Research at Spaulding Rehabilitation Network; Dr. Gerald Grant, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University; and Dr. Murray Stein, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Family & Preventive Medicine at the University of California San Diego, School of Medicine.

"Oxeia is developing a first-in-class concussion therapeutic, supported by an experienced Board and world-class advisors at a time when it is needed most. The scientific and clinical understanding of the pathophysiology of concussions is rapidly advancing and it is clear the current standard of care – rest – is simply not enough." Says Kartik Shah, President and Co-founder.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 2.2 million cases of mild traumatic brain injury (concussions) are seen in US hospital emergency rooms every year, and undiagnosed or unreported cases may double the annual incidence. Further, the rate of diagnosis for sports and recreation related concussions in children increased sharply since 2001 (57% increase from 2001-2009 alone). With research in the last two decades increasingly linking concussions to neurodegenerative conditions including dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the health risk to children is significant. Concussions can no longer be treated simply as self-resolving conditions.

Oxeia’s scientific advisory board chairman Mark Corrigan said: "We will apply research techniques learned from other neurodegenerative diseases to improve pharmaceutical development in concussions. We look to neuropsychiatry and Alzheimer’s disease research to identify innovative trial designs and relevant biomarkers as part of our clinical trial planning."