Amitabha Medical Clinic

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Amitabha Medical Clinic

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Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed sepsis devastate countless patients and families, including my own — my father died from immune dysregulation on top of sepsis. This tragic loss ignited a personal mission to combat inflammatory conditions. 

Sepsis strikes without warning, claiming a life every 2.8 seconds. It imposes a staggering $62 billion annual burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Despite its devastating impact, it remains largely overlooked in public health discussions. 

This silent killer turns routine infections into catastrophic bodily responses, leading to rapid organ failure and death. Current treatments only manage symptoms, neglecting the root cause of sepsis. There has not been an effective therapy targeting the underlying inflammatory process—until now.

My experience with sepsis has led to the creation of XGal-3®, a groundbreaking new device designed to halt sepsis progression by targeting Galectin-3, a protein driving the deadly inflammatory process. I have researched Galectin-3 extensively and have discovered that blocking the overproduction of this protein is the key to halting inflammation and preventing fibrosis (excessive and irreversible scarring and thickening of tissues in organs).

When sepsis strikes, every second counts. Yet, current treatments require a complex, time-consuming protocol that can take hours to implement, while severe cases can become fatal within 12 hours. XGal-3® XGal-3® offers the potential for earlier, faster intervention, addressing the root cause and helping doctors respond quickly when it matters most.

Targeting the Key Driver of Sepsis

Galectin-3 is a key driver of sepsis when released into the bloodstream. During sepsis and acute kidney injury (AKI), this protein triggers a cascade of harmful effects, including:

Diseases Associated with Galectin-3:

XGal-3® Brings New Hope for Sepsis Patients

XGal-3® is a novel medical device that works like dialysis but with a crucial difference. It combines therapeutic apheresis (a well-established procedure) with targeted removal of Galectin-3. Using proprietary anti-Galectin-3 ligand traps, the device selectively eliminates this key inflammatory protein from the bloodstream, potentially halting sepsis progression. 

By disrupting the pathological process early, XGal-3® aims to prevent the devastating sequence of inflammation and organ damage, helping to save lives. This targeted strategy addresses the root cause of sepsis, providing a breakthrough solution and new hope for millions.

The technology has shown remarkable results in our research. In large animal studies, XGal-3® rapidly demonstrated the incredible ability to halt the devastating cascade of sepsis in hours, an achievement that no currently approved treatment has been able to accomplish. It’s also important to note that no adverse side effects were observed with the use of XGal-3®. 

Our patented technology, supported by two NIH grants and protected by over 60 patents across 34 countries, has the potential to transform the treatment of sepsis and other inflammatory and fibrotic diseases such as acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart failure, liver fibrosis, and cancer. With a world-class team, we’ve developed a working prototype and are rapidly advancing toward clinical trials. 

Breakthrough Device Designation Granted to XGal-3®

The FDA has awarded XGal-3® its Breakthrough Device Designation, a highly coveted label in the medical world that validates technologies tackling urgent, unmet medical needs. It gives patients timely access to innovative treatments that are highly vetted for safety and effectiveness. And often, it offers hope where there is none.

I’m honored to share that I was recently featured in an exclusive interview about XGal-3® with KingsCrowd, considered the “Bloomberg of Equity Crowdfunding” for helping identify the most promising high-tech investment opportunities in private markets.

Read the Feature on KingsCrowd

In this in-depth article, I share insights into XGal-3’s® Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA and discuss how this remarkable technology could transform sepsis treatment. I also get into details such as the $62B market opportunity my company, Eliaz Therapeutics, is pursuing and our clinical development timeline. 

This independent coverage from KingsCrowd’s expert analysts provides strong validation of our progress and potential. Read the full interview above!

I’ve dedicated my career to integrating ancient healing wisdom with modern medical science. By merging the holistic perspective of integrative medicine with cutting-edge technology, my team and I have been able to explore new frontiers in critical care. This approach extends beyond just addressing the symptoms, but the root cause of sepsis and other devastating inflammatory conditions, potentially saving millions of lives.

Resources for Patients, Caregivers, and Doctors

• For More Information About XGal-3®, visit EliazTherapeutics.com.

• KingsCrowd Q&A Interview with Dr. Eliaz About Sepsis and XGal-3®: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4iGtYyVfcc

• “What Investors Want to Know: Eliaz Therapeutics is Taking on Sepsis With a First-in-Class Apheresis Device”— Interview with Dr. Eliaz about XGal-3®.

References

Sepsis statistics: Global Sepsis Alliance and World Sepsis Day

Rudd KE, Johnson SC, Agesa KM, et al. Global, regional, and national sepsis incidence and mortality, 1990-2017: analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study. Lancet. 2020 Jan 18;395(10219):200-211. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32989-7. PMID: 31954465; PMCID: PMC6970225.

The latest estimates show that 450,000+ people will get Lyme disease each year in the U.S. This tick-borne illness has been on the rise for the past decade with case numbers continuing to skyrocket. 

Why such a sharp spike? According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the increased prevalence of Lyme reflects improvements in disease reporting, as well as other enhanced surveillance methods. There is also increased recognition of Lyme pathology within conventional medicine and more sensitive detection methods.

Lyme Signs and Diagnosis

Lyme is caused by a tick infected with the spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted to humans through a tick bite.1,2 The diagnosis is usually confirmed through a combination of lab tests and symptoms, including:

Even with advancements in diagnosis, confirming the presence of Lyme disease can still be difficult, in part because one of Borrelia’s strategies is to suppress immune function. This means someone may not be able to mount the appropriate immune response needed to show up on test results.

Is Increased Exposure to Blame?

Some entomologists and infectious disease researchers believe the steady escalation in new Lyme cases is due to increased exposure. More robust tick populations, weather changes producing longer tick seasons, and other related factors are contributing to a rise of Lyme disease and related co-infections

New data suggests that multiple species of insects may serve as vectors for this disease. Whereas it was once believed to be isolated to the black-legged tick/deer tick, new findings indicate that Lyme disease may also be transmitted by other species of ticks, spiders, mosquitos, and other insects.  

The Terrain: A Map to Treatment 

One theory regarding the rise in Lyme disease, shared by many functional medicine practitioners, is that our collective health terrain has been progressively overwhelmed with ongoing exposure to pro-inflammatory stimuli. Just as we’re seeing an increase in autoimmune diseases, allergies and other conditions involving dysregulated immune response, Lyme disease is also gaining ground, following the path of a perfect storm — elevated burden of environmental toxins, rising stress levels, and numerous other inflammatory instigators are all exponentially compounding each other.  

When practitioners speak of “addressing the terrain,” they’re referring to the overall health of the patient — including genetic predisposition — and the patient’s unique relationship with their environment. By using the terrain theory with integrative medical approaches that strategically address preexisting cofactors, we can peel back the layers and help restore health to the whole body.  

Successful integrative protocols for Lyme disease involve the combination of dynamic approaches, including:  

The Presence of Co-Infections

One of the major and often overlooked issues in Lyme disease are specific co-infections that frequently come along with Borrelia. Bacteria and parasites such as Ehrlichia, Babesia, and Bartonella often accompany the Lyme spirochete inhabiting the insect, and thus they can also be transmitted during a bite. These microbes can contribute to more aggressive symptoms and need to be properly identified and addressed as well.  

Overcoming Treatment Barriers

Standard allopathic treatment for Lyme disease is antibiotic therapy, starting immediately after an infection occurs or is suspected. Antibiotic treatment usually lasts 3–4 weeks following the initial infection.  

However, there’s a significant issue with this approach: Many people who contract Lyme disease don’t realize it until months or sometimes years later, when chronic symptoms emerge as the body reacts to the biotoxins produced by the infection. Also, several other conditions overlap with chronic Lyme symptoms, so patients can be misdiagnosed with other conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia).

Post Lyme Disease Syndrome

devastating. The condition manifests as aches and flu-like symptoms, moderate-to-severe pain and muscle stiffness, extreme fatigue, rashes and other skin problems, allergic reactions, neurodegeneration, brain fog, depression, digestive complications, cardiovascular problems such as blood pressure imbalances and irregular heartbeat, and more. 

When Lyme disease reaches the chronic stage, antibiotics are often ineffective in getting rid of the infection. That’s partly because the bacterium that causes Lyme, as well as other co-infections, burrows within tissues once an infection takes hold. They often hide within the nervous system, including the brain. 

Anti-inflammatory therapies that cross the blood-brain barrier are particularly important for reducing neurological symptoms of Lyme and other diseases. Pure honokiol, a highly active biphenyl derived from Magnolia officinalis bark has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, it and has proven useful in this area of treatment.3

Biofilms and Lyme

Biofilm structures may be another strategy that Lyme bacterium uses to hide. Biofilms are protective barriers secreted by multi-species microorganism colonies — including candida and other fungi, pathogenic bacteria, and other microbes — that have been shown to be highly resistant to treatment. A growing body of evidence suggests that Borrelia can form biofilm matrixes in the body, shielding itself from antimicrobial therapies and immune surveillance.4 

The multitargeted strategy of breaking up biofilms with biofilm-degrading enzymes; applying antimicrobial agents, following with detoxification binders and lastly, probiotics, holds potential as a dynamic approach to help eradicate persistent infections, including Lyme disease.

The Toxic Metal and Mold Problem

Toxic heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, and others) are persistent in our environment. Repeated exposure can result in elevated body burden of toxic metals that impair detox pathways, fuel inflammation, damage DNA, scramble cell signals, and suppress immune function.  

Other environmental toxins, including agricultural chemicals and pesticides and mold and fungal toxins, can have similar impacts.  

Patients with an elevated toxic body burden and suppressed immunity are more susceptible to Lyme disease, allowing Borrelia and other infections a much stronger foothold. And because Lyme fuels chronic inflammation and toxic body burden, Lyme symptoms are often much worse in patients who are already challenged by ongoing inflammation and elevated neurotoxins, creating a vicious cycle where detox capacity and immune function are further degraded.  

Gene expression can play a role in evaluating individual response to Lyme disease. Patients with certain genes such as HLA DRB1 15, DQ 6 and/or other HLA genes, can be much more sensitive to neurotoxins including mold/fungus, toxins produced by bacterial infections, heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and more.5 For these patients, antibiotics don’t work as well in the preliminary stages either. These and other genetic predispositions can make it much more difficult for patients with Lyme disease to successfully detoxify, while exacerbating the symptoms of Lyme disease.

Safe, Effective Detox

Safe, gentle detoxification of heavy metals, toxins, and especially mold, remains one of the frontline integrative strategies in Lyme treatment.  

Published clinical studies demonstrate that the researched form of the supplement, Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP), safely removes toxic metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic from the body without removing essential minerals. 

This form of MCP has also been shown to successfully reduce chronic, systemic inflammation by blocking a pro-inflammatory protein in the body called galectin-3.6-8 Elevated levels of galectin-3 drive cytokine cascades that promote inflammation, fibrosis, biofilm establishment, and suppressed immunity, while fueling the progression of chronic diseases — including cancer and heart disease— through multiple mechanisms. Clinically studied MCP is the most-researched galectin-3 blocker and is increasingly applied in the treatment of Lyme disease and other pro-inflammatory conditions.  

Supporting the body’s detox systems, particularly phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification pathways, is also essential. For this, botanicals including milk thistle seed, dandelion, ginkgo, as well as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), alpha lipoic acid and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are important. Alginates, derived from brown seaweed, also have detoxifying, immune-enhancing, and anti-inflammatory properties. These and other natural detox agents help support the body’s ability to safely metabolize and remove toxins from tissues and circulation.

Antimicrobial and Immune Support Therapies  

Herbal medicines: Targeted antimicrobial nutrients, botanicals, and antioxidants can help treat infection while also modulating immune and inflammation responses. Garlic and its derivative, allicin, is a treatment often used for addressing Lyme disease.9 Other botanicals — including curcumin from turmeric, cat’s claw, boswellia from frankincense, astragalus, and prickly ash bark — can also be helpful in addressing infection.10 One formula consisting of a combination of artemisinin, whole herb Artemisia annua, and an Artemisia annua extract, is recommended because it may be more effective and better tolerated than the single ingredient artemisinin, which is commonly used in Lyme disease treatment.  

IV vitamins: I also recommend IV glutathione with phosphatidylcholine (PC), as part of a modified “Lipid Exchange Therapy” for neurological conditions, including Lyme. PC helps dislodge toxins from cell membranes, followed by glutathione, which helps the body to neutralize and excrete the toxins. Vitamin C IVs are also helpful for addressing infection, inflammation, and immunity.

Essential oils: Some compelling new research points to the benefits of botanical essential oils in treating Lyme disease. Scientists at Johns Hopkins University found that among 34 essential oils tested at different concentrations against Borrelia, three stood out with similar or better efficacy than antibiotic therapy — cinnamon, clove bud and oregano. While this is preclinical in-vitro (cell culture) data, results are encouraging as they highlight the potential for additional integrative approaches to help prevent and treat Lyme disease.11

Restoring Health with Apheresis

There are several integrative strategies that can strengthen the immune system, fight infectious agents, remove toxic compounds, support the body’s detox pathways, and modulate inflammatory responses. Together with proper support for neurological function and other key organ systems that may be affected by Lyme, we can gradually work to restore health in the face of this debilitating disease.  

One treatment we’re seeing success with at my practice, Amitabha Medical Clinic & Healing Center, is therapeutic apheresis. This treatment is similar in some ways to dialysis — it works by removing inflammatory compounds from the circulation. Three to four liters of blood are removed from the body, drawn through the apheresis machine, and then filtered through specific columns. The cleaned blood is returned to the patient in a continuous circuit. This filtration procedure effectively reduces circulating levels of pro-inflammatory compounds, including oxidized LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein (CRP), galectin-3 (Gal-3), and others.  

Apheresis offers an immediate and significant reduction in blood viscosity and a significant decrease in toxic congestion, making it a useful treatment for individuals with chronic Lyme disease and other pro-inflammatory conditions. 

If you have concerns about Lyme disease, it’s critical to work with a Lyme-literate health provider. Lyme disease can be complicated by numerous factors, but with strategic approaches that combine multiple modalities and therapeutic targets, you can gain momentum on your healing journey and reach your goal of greater health and vitality — naturally.

References 

  1. Nicolson, G.L. Diagnosis and Therapy of Chronic Systemic Co-infections in Lyme Disease and Other Tick-Borne Infectious Diseases. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients 2007;285:93- 1
  2. Winston, RH. Tick-Borne Diseases Their Effective Treatment, Including the Use of Botanical and Complementary Therapies. Medical Herbalism 2006;15(1):1-93.
  3. Woodbury A, et al. Neuro-modulating effects of honokiol: a review. Front Neurol., 11 September 2013 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2013.00130
  4. Sapi E, et al. Evidence of In Vivo Existence of Borrelia Biofilm in Borrelial Lymphocytomas. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp). 2016 Mar; 6(1): 9–24.
  5. Shoemaker, RC. (2005) Mold Warriors: Fighting America’s Hidden Health Threat. Louisville, Kentucky: Gateway Press. 
  6. Eliaz I, et al. The effect of modified citrus pectin on urinary excretion of toxic elements. Phytother Res. 2006 Oct;20(10):859-64.
  7. Zhao Zy, et al. The role of modified citrus pectin as an effective chelator of lead in children hospitalized with toxic lead levels. Altern Ther Health Med. 2008 Jul-Aug;14(4):34-8.
  8. Martinez-Martinez E, et al. Galectin-3 pharmacological inhibition attenuates early renal damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats. J Hypertens. 2018 Feb;36(2):368-376.
  9. Duke, J. Herbs with Anti-Lyme Potential. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients 2007;285:114-128 
  10. 1 Vojdani, A., et al. Novel Diagnosis of Lyme Disease: Potential for CAM Intervention. Evid Based 
  11. 11. Feng J, et al. Selective Essential Oils from Spice or Culinary Herbs Have High Activity against Stationary Phase and Biofilm Borrelia burgdorferi. Front. Med., 11 October 2017 | https://doi.org/13389/fmed.2017.00169

Apheresis has transformed the treatment of multiple previously challenging medical conditions, from autoimmune and neurologic disorders to leukemia and sickle cell anemia. While not a cure, this sophisticated technology is an adjunct therapy that selectively targets harmful blood components while preserving essential elements—often making it significantly more precise than conventional treatments.

I have been researching and administering apheresis for several years at my medical clinic in Santa Rosa, Calif., particularly for patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, and other complex, inflammatory conditions. And now science is starting to confirm the vast range of medical applications for this powerful, cutting-edge procedure. 

What Is Apheresis? 

Apheresis, also called therapeutic apheresis, is an outpatient procedure that involves removing blood from the body via IV access, separating the plasma from it, and then filtering the blood through a special column. Afterward, cleaned blood is returned to the body. In almost all cases, patients are kept awake during the treatment, which does not require anesthesia.  


Meaning to “take away” or “to separate a part from the whole” in Greek, apheresis helps remove degenerative, pro-cancer, and pro-inflammatory compounds that contribute to the progression of life-threatening illness, allowing the body a chance to deeply detoxify. It also helps enhance the effects of other therapies and supports optimal healing. 

Difference Between Donor and Therapeutic Apheresis

Apheresis procedures fall into two main categories that serve distinct purposes, says The American Society for Apheresis (ASFA). Donor apheresis involves collecting specific blood components from healthy individuals for transfusion to patients or further processing. Common donor procedures include plateletpheresis (collecting platelets), plasmapheresis (collecting plasma), and occasionally erythrocytapheresis (collecting red blood cells).

In contrast, therapeutic apheresis aims to treat disease by removing pathological components from a patient’s bloodstream. This includes procedures such as therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), which removes and replaces a patient’s plasma to eliminate harmful antibodies, and red cell exchange, which replaces abnormal red blood cells with healthy donor cells.

Apheresis and Galectin-3 

As you have probably heard me discuss many times, Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an important mediator and key driver of organ inflammation and fibrosis in a wide range of acute and chronic progressive conditions. Increased plasma Gal-3 levels are associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) and sepsis development in critically ill patients. In turn, depletion of Gal-3 has significantly decreased AKI rates and increased survival in large pre-clinical and clinical studies. 

Therapeutic Apheresis and Cancer 

In the treatment of cancer, my apheresis protocols are designed to: 

By dramatically lowering these degenerative compounds, apheresis reduces hyper-viscosity and inflammation in the circulatory system—and increases oxygenation, limits tumor-promoting signaling and supports optimal immune response. 

Apheresis Offers Hope for Many Other Conditions  

We have seen significant clinical success using apheresis in the treatment of the following conditions: 

Apheresis Side Effects 

While apheresis is regarded as a safe procedure, it may still carry some potential side effects, including allergic reactions, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and low blood pressure. In some cases, patients may be given mineral supplements during the procedure to help with these symptoms. 

XGal-3: The Latest in Apheresis-Based Technology  

XGal-3® is a novel medical device I developed that works like dialysis but with a crucial difference. It combines therapeutic apheresis with the targeted removal of Galectin-3. Using proprietary anti-Galectin-3 ligand traps, the device selectively eliminates this key inflammatory protein from the bloodstream, potentially halting progression of serious conditions such as sepsis. 

In the case of sepsis, XGal-3® helps prevent the devastating sequence of inflammation and organ damage by disrupting the pathological process early. This targeted strategy addresses the root cause of sepsis, providing a breakthrough solution and new hope for millions.

The technology has shown remarkable results in our research. In large animal studies, XGal-3® rapidly demonstrated the incredible ability to halt the devastating cascade of sepsis in hours, an achievement that no currently approved treatment has been able to accomplish. It’s also important to note that no adverse side effects were observed with the use of XGal-3®. 

Our patented technology, supported by two NIH grants and protected by over 60 patents across 34 countries, has the potential to transform the treatment of sepsis and other inflammatory and fibrotic diseases such as acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), heart failure, liver fibrosis, and cancer.

The FDA has awarded XGal-3® its Breakthrough Device Designation, a highly coveted label in the medical world that validates technologies tackling urgent, unmet medical needs. It gives patients timely access to innovative treatments that are highly vetted for safety and effectiveness. And often, it offers hope where there is none.

[For More Information About XGal-3®, visit EliazTherapeutics.com.]

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re seeking relief from autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, or other complex medical conditions, apheresis may offer a promising solution. I’ve dedicated my career to integrating ancient healing wisdom with modern medical science. By merging the holistic perspective of integrative medicine with cutting-edge technology, we are able to explore new frontiers in critical care with apheresis and XGal-3. These approaches extend beyond just addressing the symptoms, but the root causes of devastating inflammatory conditions, potentially saving millions of lives.