Accomplished investor stakes his fortune to develop a potentially groundbreaking, disease-modifying drug for Parkinson’s disease.

Big Pharma has always had its ups and downs in the arena of public relations, known for offering the world its life-saving medicines and cures— but never without the expensive research, which often turns out to be without efficacy. Some drugs get approved for marketing only to get recalled at later times. And while many have turned away from trusting pharmaceutical brands and doctors who promote certain drugs, others have paved new roads to ensure patients get the medicine they deserve. 

Max Temnik, a chemistry PhD turned serial entrepreneur, and  Santosh Kesari MD, PhD, one of the country’s top neuro-oncologists, are collaborating to fight diseases that have evaded a cure for centuries. In 2010, Temnik already knew that the human body is composed of biomolecules, which in turn are made of atoms of chemical elements. More importantly, he had an epiphany that on a subatomic level, people age through the gradual change of light and heavy isotopes of the chemical elements comprising the human body. 

In simpler terms: If illness comes with aging, where does aging come from? 

Temnik’s initial steps involved partnering with experts well-versed in the intricacies of human physiology and possessing immaculate scientific expertise to appreciate the nuances of his discovery. He started with initial research and patents, and went on to collaborate with pre-eminent research institutions to validate his innovation through discovery research and preclinical studies that would satisfy the US FDA. Dr. Kesari had initially stepped in as primary investigator, and joined as Nomax’s Chief Medical Officer in 2023, after attaining the initial proof of safety through Phase 1 clinical trials.  

“You may have the best idea in the world, but proof of concept is where the rubber meets the road,” Dr. Temnik says. “In the pharmaceutical world, the proof-of-concept ranges from animal models to clinical trials performed on humans — that is how we obtain genuine insight into the ultimate value of any proposed therapy.” 

To date, Dr. Temnik has co-authored over 60 patents in isotope-selective modulation of homeostasis (ISM), establishing the foundation for his companies to develop first-in-class therapies for treating various oncological, neurological, and metabolic diseases, and more. 

He is now ready to make history. 

A Quick Breakdown 

The extensive preclinical studies conducted by world-class researchers yielded promising results using the novel ISM treatment, which was tested in Parkinson ‘s-induced rodent models widely used in drug development. The research demonstrated effectiveness in preventing the degeneration of dopamine neurons, which is a crucial step in addressing Parkinson’s disease. Rats injected with the isotope-selective treatment showed significant improvements in Parkinson’s induced rodent models — a tell-tale sign that the therapy works. Preclinical studies have also shown a possibility that isotope-selective treatment may induce neurogenesis, which if confirmed, may lead to a scientific breakthrough in biochemistry, human biology, and medicine. 

Bottom line: preventing the destruction of dopaminergic neurons is a big deal. Inducing neurogenesis is a therapeutic revolution.

Although the outcome of the preclinical studies was a hard-won success, it was achieved on rats, not humans. Temnik and the company are now faced with a much bigger challenge – proving that the isotope-selective modulation drugs could replicate the homeostatic nature of its disease-modifying effect through human clinical trials. 

The Human Element

At Nomax Therapeutics, the mission is to develop disease-modifying drugs to help patients’ motor and cognitive symptoms get better for longer, and potentially to achieve full recovery. The first-in-human Phase 1 clinical study aimed to determine the initial maximum tolerated dose, safety, and pharmacokinetics in patients with medical disorders. Multiple doses of the drug candidate were found safe and well tolerated by patients with various therapeutic conditions. The isotope selective modulation of homeostasis became the name of the game in Parkinson’s research.

With this interim success, the company plans to secure funding by obtaining qualification of its Regulation A+ securities offering from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. With the SEC approval and Temnik leading the way in research, the public will have an opportunity to  play a role in creating fundamentally new therapies to treat and potentially cure degenerative diseases – a privilege that has traditionally been reserved for venture capitalists, institutional investors, and the Big Pharma.

Time is of the essence, as many Parkinson’s patients are fighting for their lives and their loved ones are fighting right alongside them. The isotope-selective modulation of homeostasis is currently the only therapy that acts upstream of the formation of neurotoxic proteins and neuron degeneration, potentially breaking the cascade of age-related diseases and possibly altering the trajectory of aging and disease.

The Net-Net

With his groundbreaking approach to treating Parkinson’s disease, more families and their loved ones can be free of the slow, painful journey that the disease imparts upon thousands of people each year.

Over 10 million people were suffering from Parkinson’s disease worldwide in 2022, with 90,000 additional people diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone. Imagine a future free of the debilitating disease. Temnik isn’t just developing Big Pharma’s next big thing – he is clearing the way for having more quality time with loved ones. This is about the human element— this is about our society as a whole, being one step closer to Parkinson ‘s-free days. 

Temnik has financed this business endeavor with his own capital so far but now is seeking to secure outside investment to propel Nomax Therapeutics to the next level.  “The next step is to raise money to advance our drug development Phase 2 clinical trials,” Temnik said, passionately. “I envision a world where Parkinson’s is a disease of the past, and I firmly believe that Nomax Therapeutics will get us there.”