Alzheimer’s Innovation
Alzheimer’s Innovation
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a challenging, degenerative neurological disorder and the most common cause of dementia, responsible for about 70% of dementia cases worldwide. Currently, approximately 38.5 million people globally are affected by this illness, which is marked by a gradual loss of cognitive abilities and distinct neuropathological changes: extracellular deposits of β-amyloid (neuritic plaques), often accompanied by neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of hyperphosphorylated Tau protein within neurons.
While the precise cause remains unknown, researchers have put forth various theories to explain its origin, though none have fully answered this complex puzzle. The primary theories, focusing on beta-amyloid and Tau, remain at the core of research, yet other potential contributors like neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic and lipid imbalances, or disruptions in the neurovascular unit are also being explored.
More and more, it appears that a single root cause may not fully account for this multifaceted disease. Today’s understanding of AD points to its multifactorial nature, suggesting that multiple interconnected mechanisms may contribute to its progression.
Encouragingly, a 13% decline in dementia incidence, and consequently also Alzheimer’s disease, has been reported per decade in the United States and Europe. While this reduction is not attributed to therapeutic interventions, it appears to be linked to improved control of dementia risk factors in high-income countries. Despite this positive trend, Alzheimer’s disease continues to impact a significant number of individuals globally.
In the field of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is an increasing need for precise measurement of biomarkers that support the diagnosis, prognosis, and staging of the disease, as well as the monitoring of potential therapies, which are becoming more numerous.
To meet this need, various technologies have emerged on the market to address these challenges; however, not all of them achieve the sensitivity required by research and clinical practice.
Mecwins, as a biotechnological company, is deeply committed to advancing diagnostic tools that contribute to a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. Through continuous innovation and research, Mecwins aims to develop high-precision technologies that can improve the detection and monitoring of biomarkers, thus enhancing the capacity for early diagnosis and more effective disease management.
In this context, focusing on fluid biomarkers, the AVAC technology developed by Mecwins provides high robustness and greater sensitivity in measuring the analytes of interest. This advancement could lead to more accurate results, allowing for a clearer definition and study of AD and its progression.
Motivated by the critical need to identify biomarkers that can improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease therapies, an innovative collaborative initiative has taken shape. This initiative seeks to advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s, focusing on identifying the most promising biomarkers and developing accurate analytical tools to support early diagnosis, track disease progression, and evaluate therapeutic responses.
This effort has materialized in the BRAIN group (Biomedical Research on Alzheimer’s Innovation Network), a consortium that brings together professionals and institutions dedicated to tackling the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease. Through this coordinated approach, BRAIN brings together diverse expertise and resources, providing a robust foundation for biomarker research that promises to deepen our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and pave the way for future advancements.
The multicenter and interdisciplinary nature of this collaboration is key to its potential impact. By incorporating a range of perspectives and specialties, this framework fosters the exchange of ideas and the development of comprehensive solutions, allowing for accelerated progress in addressing one of the most challenging neurological diseases of our time.
The BRAIN group, a collaborative initiative founded by Mecwins, brings together professionals from a wide range of disciplines. This multidisciplinary consortium combines the expertise of Mecwins in developing high-precision technologies for biomarker detection with the specialization of Destina Genomica in nucleic acid testing and advanced diagnostic assays. It also benefits from the clinical and research support of Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, recognized for its excellence in healthcare, teaching, and biomedical research, and the academic participation of Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, a leading institution in education and scientific research.
Mecwins
Óscar Ahumada, PhD
PhD in Physics and PhD in Natural Sciences with broad expertise in automating optical reading platforms and developing biomedical devices from proof of concept to commercial success. Extensive experience in founding and growing technological companies. CEO of Mecwins for 16 years, focused on commercializing innovative technologies worldwide, and expanding the company’s presence in key markets in Asia, the Americas and Europe.
Virginia Cebrián, PhD
PhD in Biochemistry and MSc in Drug Research with more than 10 years of experience in the field of biosensors and nanotechnology with many publications and one patent. Participation in numerous research projects, collaborating with international groups in the development of biosensors. Currently, Head of Bioscience Department at Mecwins S.A. leading the development of biosensors and immunoassays for the ultrasensitive detection of protein biomarkers.
Noemí Marina, PhD
PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, consolidated expertise through six years of post-doctoral research in the USA and Spain, focusing on innate immunity and the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Senior Scientist at Biokit Research and Development S.L.U., and currently at Mecwins S.A., leading the development, validation, and manufacturing transfer of diagnostic immunoassays.
Isabel Rodríguez, MSc
Biotechnology Degree and MSc in Genetics and Cell Biology. PhD student in Molecular Biosciences at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Doctoral research in collaboration with Mecwins S.A. and Destina Genómica S.L., focused on the adaptation of diagnostic platforms with gold nanoparticles for the detection of nucleic acids. Currently, Junior Researcher at Mecwins S.A. with more than 4 years of experience in the company.
Daniel Insua, PhD
PhD in Neuroscience with over 20 years dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research in humans and animal models. Extensive expertise in histology, cell culture, antibody production and immunoassays. Researcher at Araclon Biotech S.L., contributing to develop immunotherapies and diagnostic tools for AD. Currently, Senior Scientist at Mecwins S.A., leading the development of biomarker-based immunoassays for the diagnosis, staging and monitoring therapies in AD.
Destina
Juan J. Díaz-Mochón, PhD
PhD in Pharmacy, scientist and entrepreneur specializing in chemical biology and liquid biopsy. With an academic background spanning Spain, Italy, and the UK, he has authored over 80 scientific papers and co-invented 10 patents. Co-founder and CEO of DESTINA Genomics Ltd. and associate Professor at the University of Granada. Additionally, he is a co-inventor of CRISPNA technology, co-founder of CRISPNA SL and Nanometric SL.
Mavys Tabraue, PhD
PhD in Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, research scientist with a strong expertise in applied research, project leadership, and mentorship in both academic and industrial settings. She has significant experience in private research companies, focusing on designing research solutions that lead to valuable intellectual property. Assay Development Manager at DESTINA Genomica S.L., leading interdisciplinary projects and advancing applied research.
Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal
Lucía Soletto, PhD.
PhD in Biology, MSc in Clinical Trial Monitoring and Pharmaceutical Development and MSc in Genetics and Cell Biology. Currently part of the Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria (IRYCIS), enrolled, as biomedical research, in the project “Development of a biomedical sensor for the proteins and miRNAs simultaneous detection for diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer´s disease”.
Guillermo García, MD.
Neurologist at Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, specializing in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s. Extensive experience in clinical trials and biomarker research in neurodegenerative diseases, with numerous publications in this field. Currently, also leads the Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Study Group of the Asociación Madrileña de Neurología and advises the Confederación de Asociaciones de Familiares de Alzheimer (CEAFA).
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Diego Lecumberri, MSc
Chemistry Degree by the Universidad de Navarra and MSc in Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Currently, PhD student at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Doctoral research focused on advanced materials and nanotechnology, with a particular emphasis on developing innovative contrast agents for clinical imaging.
Emma Martín, PhD
PhD in Physics of Materials, specializing in materials science. Doctoral research focused on materials for infrared lasers. Postdoctoral research at Concordia University (Canada) centered rare-earth-doped nanoparticle synthesis. Currently Professor at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, working on the synthesis and application of nanoparticles for biomedical imaging and non-invasive fluorescence-based measurements.
Dirk Ortgies, PhD
PhD in Chemistry, specializing in nanomaterials and biomedical imaging. Contributions to luminescent nanoparticle synthesis and their applications in non-invasive diagnostics. Currently, Researcher at Hospital Ramón y Cajal and Assistant Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Recent work in developing nanosensors for detecting hypoxia in ischemic tissues and infrared imaging of myocardial infarction and lung cancer with targeted nanoparticles.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease using plasma biomarkers adjusted to clinical probability.
J Therriault, S Janelidze, AL Benedet, NJ Ashton, J Arranz Martínez, A Gonzalez-Escalante…
Nat Aging. 2024 Nov;4(11):1529-1537. doi: 10.1038/s43587-024-00731-y. Epub 2024 Nov 12. PMID: 39533113
Jack CR Jr, Andrews JS, Beach TG, Buracchio T, Dunn B, Graf A, Hansson O, Ho C…
Alzheimers Dement. 2024 Aug;20(8):5143-5169. doi: 10.1002/alz.13859. Epub 2024 Jun 27. PMID: 38934362
APOE4 homozygozity represents a distinct genetic form of Alzheimer’s disease.
Fortea J, Pegueroles J, Alcolea D, Belbin O, Dols-Icardo O, Vaqué-Alcázar L
Nat Med. 2024 May;30(5):1284-1291. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-02931-w. Epub 2024 May 6. PMID: 38710950
World-Wide FINGERS Network: A global approach to risk reduction and prevention of dementia.
Kivipelto M, Mangialasche F, Snyder HM, Allegri R, Andrieu S, Arai H, Baker L, Belleville S…
Alzheimers Dement. 2020 Jul;16(7):1078-1094. doi: 10.1002/alz.12123. Epub 2020 Jul 5. PMID: 32627328
Leqembi recommended for treatment of early Alzheimer’s disease
14 November 2024
Re-examination concludes that benefits outweigh risks in a restricted patient population.
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/leqembi-recommended-treatment-early-alzheimers-disease
Fujirebio submits FDA regulatory filing for Lumipulse G pTau 217/β–Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio in-vitro diagnostic test
3 Oct 2024
Expected to be first commercially-available blood-based invitro diagnostic for patients being assessed for Alzheimer’s disease in the US.
https://www.selectscience.net/article/fujirebio-submits-fda-regulatory-filing-for-lumipulse-g-ptau-217-v-amyloid-1-42-plasma-ratio-in
FDA approves treatment for adults with Alzheimer’s disease
7 July 2024
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-treatment-adults-alzheimers-disease
