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Translational Impact: From Discovery to Therapy

At the Tam Lab, we operate at the interface of academic discovery and therapeutic innovation. Our research is designed not only to advance fundamental understanding of metabolic diseases, but to translate these discoveries into real-world therapeutic solutions.

Through strategic intellectual property generation and close collaboration with industry, our work has led to multiple patents, licensing agreements, and biotech ventures, advancing novel therapeutic programs from early discovery into preclinical and clinical development.

Translational Pipeline

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Biotech Ventures & Industry Partnerships

EPM Therapeutics

  • Role: IP Originator | Scientific Advisory Board Member

  • Technology: Cannabidiolic acid methyl ester (CBDA derivatives) platform

  • Development Stage: IND-enabling studies; pre-IND meeting completed

  • Regulatory Milestones:

    • Orphan Drug Designation (FDA)​

    • Rare Pediatric Disease Designation

  • Indication: Prader–Willi Syndrome

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Clearmind Medicine

  • Role: IP Originator | Scientific Advisory Board Member

  • Technology: MEAI (5-Methoxy-2-Aminoindan) for metabolic syndrome

  • Development Stage: Clinical

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BioNanoSim / QurisAI

  • Role: IP Originator | Scientific Advisory Board Member

  • Technology: Peripherally restricted CB1 receptor antagonists

  • Development Stage: Preclinical and IND-enabling

  • Note: Technology sublicensed from BioNanoSim to QurisAI

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Carmen’s Biopharma

  • Role: Founder | IP Originator | Scientific Advisory Board Member

  • Technology: Phytocannabinoid-based therapeutics for metabolic diseases (NAFLD, dyslipidemia, diabetes)

  • Development Stage: Preclinical and IND-enabling

  • Note: Subsidiary of Carmen’s Medicinals

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Intellectual Property & Licensing

Our translational efforts are supported by a strong and growing intellectual property portfolio, developed in collaboration with Yissum, the Technology Transfer Company of the Hebrew University.

Technologies spanning:

  • Peripheral CB1 receptor modulation

  • Phytocannabinoid-based therapeutics

  • Metabolic disease targets

  • Novel small molecules and derivatives

These assets form the foundation for multiple therapeutic programs currently advancing toward clinical application.

16

Patents Generated

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8

Licensing Agreements

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Cannabidiol and cannabigerol ameliorate steatotic liver disease via phosphocreatine buffering and lysosomal restoration

Radka Kočvarová, Shahar Azar, Bella Agranovich, Ifat Abramovich, Saveliy Kirillov, Alina Nemirovski, Saja Baraghithy, Inbar Plaschkes, Emmanuelle Merquiol, Alexander Rouvinski, Galia Blum, Liad Hinden, Joseph Tam

2026
British Journal of Pharmacology
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Characterization of metabolic alterations in the lean metabolically unhealthy alpha defensin transgenic mice

Higazi AA, Maraga E, Baraghithy S, Udi S, Azar S, Saada A, Glaser B, Avrahami D, Abdeen S, Hamdan Z, Tam J, Abu Fanne R

2024
iScience, 27(2): 108802.
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5-Methoxy-2-aminoindane Reverses Diet-Induced Obesity and Improves Metabolic Parameters in Mice: A Potential New Class of Antiobesity Therapeutics

Baraghithy S, Gammal A, Permyakova A, Hamad S, Kočvarová R, Calles Y and Tam J

2024
ACS Pharmacol. Transl. Sci. 2024, 7, 8, 2527–2543
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Cannabidiol and cannabigerol ameliorate steatotic liver disease via phosphocreatine buffering and lysosomal restoration

Radka Kočvarová, Shahar Azar, Bella Agranovich, Ifat Abramovich, Saveliy Kirillov, Alina Nemirovski, Saja Baraghithy, Inbar Plaschkes, Emmanuelle Merquiol, Alexander Rouvinski, Galia Blum, Liad Hinden, Joseph Tam

2026
British Journal of Pharmacology
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Characterization of metabolic alterations in the lean metabolically unhealthy alpha defensin transgenic mice

Higazi AA, Maraga E, Baraghithy S, Udi S, Azar S, Saada A, Glaser B, Avrahami D, Abdeen S, Hamdan Z, Tam J, Abu Fanne R

2024
iScience, 27(2): 108802.
light pattern.png
5-Methoxy-2-aminoindane Reverses Diet-Induced Obesity and Improves Metabolic Parameters in Mice: A Potential New Class of Antiobesity Therapeutics

Baraghithy S, Gammal A, Permyakova A, Hamad S, Kočvarová R, Calles Y and Tam J

2024
ACS Pharmacol. Transl. Sci. 2024, 7, 8, 2527–2543

Scientific Assets & Therapeutic Platforms

Our lab has developed a diverse portfolio of translational assets, including:

  • Peripheral CB1 receptor antagonists

  • Cannabinoid-derived metabolic therapeutics

  • Novel small-molecule modulators of metabolic pathways

  • Multi-target strategies for obesity, MASLD, and kidney disease

These platforms are designed with clinical translation in mind, integrating mechanistic biology with drug development principles.

Our work demonstrates that academic research can serve as a powerful engine for therapeutic innovation. By bridging discovery science with industry partnerships, we aim to accelerate the development of safe, effective, and mechanism-driven therapies for metabolic diseases and beyond.

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