What is CBD?

Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD) is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease that is believed to be related to an abnormal accumulation of tau protein in the brain. The exact prevalence of CBD is still unknown, but researchers estimate that it affects approximately 1–5 per 100, 000 people, with most patients being around the age of 60.Initial symptoms often include physical difficulties such as stiffness, tremors, slowness, clumsiness and jerky movements in the limbs. These typically begin on one side of the body and gradually spread to the other, worsening as the disease progresses. Other symptoms may include difficulties with speech (dysphasia), articulation problems (dysarthria), disconnected speech patterns (aphasia), inability to perform particular movements (apraxia), alien limb syndrome, jerky movements (myoclonus), and mild to moderate cognitive impairment.Because CBD shares features with other conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), it is often misdiagnosed – meaning the true prevalence may be higher than currently estimated.

About and history

When CBD Solutions started in 2013, there was a notable lack of research and attention in the field of Corticobasal Degeneration. The company identified this gap and saw the potential to help advance understanding of the disease – and over time, to potentially offer products or services that could support this goal.CBD Solutions took a unique approach in the research world by being fully funded through Sten Mörtstedt's charitable trust. This allowed CBD Solutions to focus all its efforts on collaboration with world-leading scientists, patient groups, charities, and the pharmaceutical industry – acting as a catalyst for cooperation between them.CBD Solutions also aimed to serve as a central hub for information, supporting those who wanted to learn more about CBD or pursue research. Greater understanding was seen as essential to provide earlier diagnosis, improve the quality of life for those affected, and ensure patients received appropriate treatment.

Mission: Advancing research and collaboration

CBD Solutions was committed to playing a key role in tackling Corticobasal Degeneration. The company focused on funding the most promising research into the condition and becoming a leader in identifying cutting-edge CBD research worldwide. Central to its mission was promoting a better understanding of the disease’s causes and progression mechanisms, developing therapeutic solutions, improving diagnostic markers for earlier and more accurate detection, and building global research networks to encourage collaboration. In parallel, the company also explored future opportunities to offer services or tools that could further its mission.Through these coordinated efforts, CBD Solutions worked towards Sten Mörtstedt's ultimate goal: finding a cure for the disease that affected his wife Karin and countless others.

Sten Mörtstedt, Founder

Sten Mörtstedt, the Founder of CBD Solutions, passed away in December 2020 at the age of 80. Mr Mörtstedt was a businessman and philanthropist with a consistent track record spanning over 40 years of building profitable and sustainable businesses. He was the founder of CLS Holdings plc, a pan-European property company, which he established in 1987 and listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange in 1994.When his wife Karin was diagnosed with CBD in 2012, he witnessed the devastating effects of the disease and the lack of awareness surrounding it. This experience motivated him to establish Karin & Sten Mörtstedt CBD Solutions – with the goal of bringing together top researchers from leading medical institutions in Europe and the US to increase knowledge and unlock the potential for treatments and a cure for CBD.Mr Mörtstedt also served as Chairman of the company until his passing. The Sten and Karin Mörtstedt Family & Charity Trust generously funded and actively supported CBD-related research and patient information initiatives throughout the company's years of operation.

Samuel Svensson, CEO

Samuel Svensson, PhD (Pharmacology), served as CEO of CBD Solutions. He previously worked for more than 10 years at Neuroscience AstraZeneca R&D Södertälje, Sweden, where he was responsible for the development of the amyloid-selective PET radiotracer 18F-AZD4694. He is currently the CEO of Neogap Therapeutics, a company that emerged from research connections established during CBD Solutions’ work.Neogap, co-founded with Sten Mörtstedt's charity company Victoria Bioventures, develops personalised cancer immunotherapy using the patient's own cells. This demonstrates how scientific collaboration in one field can lead to breakthroughs in another.

Björn Bloth, Vice Chairman

Björn Bloth, MD, PhD, served as Vice Chairman of CBD Solutions and supported the company's leadership alongside Mr Mörtstedt. He is a medical doctor and Associate Professor with a PhD in medical microbiology and immunology, and board certification in internal medicine. In addition to many years of clinical practice, he has advised several foundations and organisations in scientific and medical matters.

Projects funded

CBD Solutions worked with world-leading researchers, patient groups, non-profits and industry partners to advance the goal of finding a cure for CBD. By facilitating collaboration and funding high-quality research with clear clinical relevance, the company supported numerous projects focused on understanding, diagnosing, and treating Corticobasal Degeneration. All research underwent rigorous review, ensuring that resources were directed to initiatives with the greatest therapeutic potential.The research funded by CBD Solutions led to a number of scientific publications in leading journals. A selection of peer-reviewed articles can be found further down on this page.

Patient stories

CBD affects people in different ways. These personal stories highlight the everyday challenges of living with the disease – and the strength of those affected.