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Over the next 27 years, if no breakthrough in Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related disease treatments is found, the cumulative cost to the U.S. economy could reach approximately $20 trillion. Spread across an estimated 94.23 million taxpaying U.S. households in 2050, this equates to an average annual cost of about $10,717 per household. These staggering figures exclude an additional estimated $271 billion in unpaid caregiving per year. These data underscore the urgent financial need for investment in research and potential treatments for dementia-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Despite the concerted efforts in the past decade, there remains no definitive cure for this rapidly growing epidemic. 

“There are two ways to look at the issue at hand,” explains Professor Oded Shoseyov, a renowned TED Speaker and an authority in nano-biotechnology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “The obvious one, and probably the more glorified path, would be finding a cure for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The other, which may seem less appealing at first, holds great promise for alleviating the financial burden and suffering of many people.” 

“Around 1735, Benjamin Franklin asserted: ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’,” Prof. Shoseyov continues, “and this wisdom has guided our efforts in recent years, leading us to investigate one of the underlying causes of dementia, oxidative stress, and how we might counteract it.” Prof. Shoseyov adds, “Just like two lines starting at the same point with a slight one-degree difference, over time the gap between them widens significantly. If we start ‘moving the needle’ even by a fraction now, focusing on prevention with younger generations like Generation X and millennials, we might be able to create a significant impact on the future trajectory of dementia costs.”

In line with this mission, Prof. Shoseyov co-founded Tahiro. Recognizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, Prof. Shoseyov brought on board Dr. Ronit Shaltiel Karyo, a seasoned professional with a Ph.D in Biotechnology and an MBA. Dr. Shaltiel Karyo has amassed years of experience in researching Central Nervous System (CNS) related conditions, focusing specifically on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. She formerly served as a director of R&D at Neuroderm, a pharmaceutical company specializing in drug-device combination products for Parkinson’s patients. Neuroderm was acquired in 2017 for $1.1 billion by Mitsubishi Tanabe.

“Oxidative stress plays a significant role in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease,” explains Dr. Shaltiel Karyo. “When the body’s production of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) outstrips its ability to neutralize them with antioxidants, it creates an imbalance that can damage neurons, or brain cells. Antioxidants are nature’s solution to this problem; they donate an electron to unstable molecules or free radicals, neutralizing them, and restoring a healthy balance. Punicic Acid, also known as Omega 5, a potent antioxidant found in pomegranate seed oil, is particularly effective in mitigating oxidative stress.” 

Addressing the challenge of delivering antioxidants to all body organs, Dr. Shaltiel Karyo continues, “Omega 5, while highly effective, consists of large molecules that are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. By employing a sophisticated process that transforms Omega 5 into nano droplets, we significantly enhance its bioavailability, potential efficacy, and ability to reach all body organs, including the brain”.

Prof. Shoseyov emphasizes the potential advantages, “Utilizing nanotechnology with a unique delivery system enables substances like Omega 5 to reach areas that were previously inaccessible. This isn’t merely theoretical. Recent independent tests, funded by Tahiro and performed by unbiased third parties with no conflict of interest, have yielded encouraging results. These findings suggest that Nano Omega 5 may indeed play a role in preventing or slowing the decline of cognitive function associated with neurodegenerative diseases.”

Based on the company’s careful and moderate assumptions, informed by sophisticated models incorporating projections of population, taxpaying households, life expectancy, and other economic indicators, the potential annual savings to the U.S. economy could reach an estimated $415 billion by 2050. This represents almost a 30% reduction in annual dementia-related costs, not including the immense value of unpaid caregiving. These figures are calculated under the presumption that only 5% of the Generation X and Millennial populations will benefit from the use of Nano Omega 5 as a preventative measure. “These estimates underscore the significant impact that early preventative measures could have on our future economy,” says Prof. Shoseyov. He concludes with a thought-provoking statement, “Imagine what could be the outcome if we could triple the outreach”.

Prof. Shoseyov underscores, “Education is key for prevention. By raising awareness about measures like Nano Omega 5, we can empower individuals to shape their health and the economy’s future.”

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