Treating neurological disease through non-invasive ultrasound
Ceretas is developing a non-invasive, safe and portable therapeutic ultrasound platform to treat diseases of the brain.
Our platform is designed to restore devastating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. We aim to unlock targeted drug delivery to the brain, reduce the burden of dementia and address other neurological conditions including depression and addiction.
Treating neurological disease through non-invasive ultrasound
Ceretas is developing a non-invasive, safe and portable therapeutic ultrasound platform to treat diseases of the brain.
Our platform is designed to restore devastating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. We aim to unlock targeted drug delivery to the brain, reduce the burden of dementia and address other neurological conditions including depression and addiction.
Neuromodulation
Neuromodulation using focused ultrasound safely modulates neuronal activity.
Preclinical data suggests neuromodulation may be an effective standalone treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Clearing Aggregated Proteins
The blood-brain barrier is a selective semi-permeable membrane between the blood and the brain. Focused ultrasound has been shown in preclinical animal models to be able to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier.
Emerging research by our team indicates that opening this barrier has the potential to clear aggregated proteins in the brain and improve cognition in Alzheimer’s patients.
Enhancing Drug Delivery via Blood-Brain Barrier Opening
The blood-brain barrier prevents 98% of small-molecule drugs and nearly 100% of large biologics from reaching the brain which limits the ability of many drug candidates to treat conditions such as Alzheimer’s and depression.
When used alongside microbubbles, focused ultrasound has the potential to open the blood-brain barrier and allow these drugs to reach targeted areas of the brain.
Portable
Our portable focused ultrasound device is designed for easy mobility, allowing for seamless use across various clinical settings. Lightweight and compact, it ensures efficient treatment and enhanced drug delivery anywhere.
Low Cost
Focused ultrasound offers high-quality, accurate treatment at a lower price. Efficient and accessible, it enables broader adoption without compromising results.
Non-invasive
Designed for non-invasive treatment, the device delivers therapeutic ultrasound without surgery or discomfort. It enhances drug delivery and supports disease management while ensuring patient safety and ease of use.
One Device, Multiple Applications
Selective neuromodulation to treat neurodegenerative disease
Neuromodulation is a series of techniques that act upon a person’s nervous system for therapeutic benefit. Exisiting neuromodulation techniques are invasive or limited to shallow brain targets.
Focused ultrasound can selectively target precise regions of the brain, selectively modulating neuronal activity without causing damage or substantial heating.
Our world-leading research team based at the Queensland Brain Institute have demonstrated the efficacy of focused ultrasound in multiple preclinical and clinical studies:
- Preclinical animal studies showed restoration of brain function, including memory and improved cognition.
- A Phase 1 safety trial in 12 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease showed the treatment to be safe and well-tolerated.
- A 60 patient Phase 2 trial is expected to begin in 2025, focused on treating the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Clearing aggregated proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease
Focused ultrasound, combined with microbubbles has been shown to be able to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a barrier between the brain’s blood vessels (capillaries) and the cells and other components that make up brain tissue.
In preclinical animal studies, the team at the Queensland Brain Insitute has shown that protein aggregates such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles can be cleared by opening the blood-brain barrier. These aggregated proteins are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Enhancing drug delivery by opening the blood-brain barrier
The blood-brain barrier prevents the vast majority of potential drug treatments from reaching the brain. This limits the ability of many drug candidates to treat conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
Focused ultrasound, when used alongside microbubbles, is able to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier, allowing drugs that otherwise couldn’t cross into the brain to reach their targets. This significantly expands the drug candidates for treating mental and neurological conditions.
Board and Advisors
Dr Rachel de las Heras
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Over 7 years overseeing the UQ-QBI ultrasound program. 20 years in Medical device product & business development roles.
Dr Tony Keating
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – COMMERCIAL STRATEGY
Experienced entrepreneur and CEO. Co-founder, CEO and Managing Director of ResApp Health which he led from a startup to a $180M acquisition by Pfizer.
John Keep
CHAIRPERSON
Extensive experience managing start-ups and enterprise level businesses. As CEO of Queensland Diagnostic Imaging, led the growth and successful trade sale of the group to Mayne Pharma for $109M. Chairman of EMVision Medical Devices Ltd (ASX:EMV).
Ryan Laws
CO-FOUNDER & NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Corporate finance executive. Executive Director of Caravel Securities, co-founder of EMVision Medical Devices Ltd (ASX:EMV).
Sam Wetzler
CO-FOUNDER & NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Head of Sequoia Asset Management, a division of ASX listed SEQ, with over 10 years experience in investment management & capital markets.
Prof. Stuart Crozier
ADVISOR
World-renowned technology commercialisation professional with extensive experience in multiple university spinouts. CSO EMVision Medical Devices Ltd (ASX:EMV), ATSE Fellow and a Fellow of The Institute of Physics (UK).
QBI Research Team
Prof Jürgen Götz
FOUNDING SCIENTIST & CO-INVENTOR
Professor Jürgen Götz is the Director of the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (UQ). He studied biochemistry in Switzerland and earned his PhD in immunology with Nobel Laureate Köhler in Germany. Götz has published more than 230 papers in leading journals including Cell, Science and Neuron, and has authored many authoritative reviews in the Nature Reviews journal family. Professor Götz is a GAICD and board member of the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU).
Dr Gerhard Leinenga
NEUROSCIENTIST & CO-INVENTOR
Dr Leinenga has a strong track record in the field of drug delivery and neurodegenerative disease research. For over a decade he has made major contributions to the development of ultrasound mediated blood-brain barrier opening and neuromodulation treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. He is co-inventor of the Ceretas technology and supports the clinical trial design and implementation activities.
Prof Peter Nestor
COGNITIVE NEUROLOGIST & CLINICAL SCIENTIST
Prof Nestor is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) and holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge, UK. He has a strong research track record in the field of human neurodegenerative diseases that cause dementia with over 150 publications. He is experienced in conducting both investigator-led original research studies and has also undertaken contracted research for numerous industry-sponsored drug trials. Prof Nestor runs the Memory and Cognitive Disorders Clinic at the Mater Hospital, South Brisbane and is current president of the Australasian Cognitive Neurology Association. In addition, he has been a committee member of the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) and has in the past served on several advisory boards for industry.
Dr Jae Hee Song
LEAD ENGINEER & CO-INVENTOR
Dr Song is an experienced engineer specialising in medical ultrasonics, ultrasound physics and digital signal processing. He has worked in the field of medical ultrasound for over two decades and published and patented novel concepts and ideas throughout. For over six years he has contributed to the specific development and technical translation of the Ceretas therapeutic ultrasound technology program and is co-inventor of ultrasound methods supporting the therapeutic ultrasound program.
Gina Richter-Stretton
SENIOR RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
A highly skilled research associate with over 6 years preclinical therapeutic ultrasound experience, supporting the research program developing novel interventions and applications of therapies for the treatment of Dementia.
Matthew Pelekanos
ULTRASOUND TECHNICAL MANAGER
Over 10 years experience in the development of therapeutic ultrasound research techniques, providing high-level specialist technical expertise to the preclinical research program and supporting the clinical trial device implementation activities.