Optogenetic Neurostimulation

Revolutionizing Outcomes for Refractory Psychiatric Disorders Team Bambara

More than 50 % of Parkinson’s patients cannot be effectively treated with

pharmaceuticals

•

Treatment resistant psychiatric disorders have a large patient

population

REFRACTORY PARKINSON’S AND

ESSENTIAL TREMOR: 5.5 MILLION

REFRACTORY DEPRESSION: 4 MIILLION

REFRACTORY EPILESPY: 1 MILLION

•

Electrical Neurostimulation Devices: a close analog

Large revenueHigh growth

Significant limitations

•Limited efficacy•Severe side effects

•

Optogenetic neurostimulation directly addresses these two main limitations

“With its high specificity, optogenetics offers higher

efficacy and fewer side effects… Neurosurgeons’

primary criteria for purchasing a device are

efficacy, side effects, and reimbursement.”

-Dr. Raag AiranNeurosurgeon at Johns

Hopkins University

Light-sensitive genesare extractedLight-sensitive genesare extracted

Genes are added to patient’s DNA

1. Algae

Fiber optic cable is implanted in the brainFiber optic cable is implanted in the brain

Turn genes on/off with lights

Control neuron activation

2. Gene therapy

3. Surgery

4. Device Mediated Brain Management

5. A Better Life

OptogeneticNeurostimulation

Business Model

Technology Licensing:

OTL

Technology Licensing:

OTL

Device Manufacturing, Distribution, and Sales:

Medtronic

Device Manufacturing, Distribution, and Sales:

Medtronic

Licensers:Biotech Companies

Licensers:Biotech Companies

Purchasing Decision:

Neurosurgeons

Purchasing Decision:

Neurosurgeons

Care Providers:Hospitals

Care Providers:Hospitals

Payers:Medicare/Medicaid

Private Insurance

Payers:Medicare/Medicaid

Private Insurance

End Users:Patients

End Users:Patients

IPIP

IP

$$$

$$$

Capital Equipment & Disposables

$$$

Care

$$$

Major Risks

Medicare/Medicaid Coverage

Gene Therapy•Safety•Regulatory approval•Market adoption

Gene Therapy•Safety•Regulatory approval•Market adoption

Capital

Efficacy in humans

“We don’t yet know how to control expression for optogenetics gene therapy or if it will be safe.”

-Dr. Polina AnikeevaStanford Optogenetics Researcher

Pivot: apply optogenetics to screening

of novel pharmaceuticals

“More than 10% of the pharmaceutical screening market is for neural drugs…

Patch clamp technology for neural screening is currently too unreliable.”

-Dr. Solow-CorderoManager of Stanford High-Throughput

Bioscience Center