What You Should Know:
– clock.bio, a healthspan biotechnology company based at the Milner Therapeutics Institute in Cambridge, has secured $5.3M in seed funding to advance its groundbreaking research on human rejuvenation.
– The seed funding round was led by LocalGlobe, with participation from BlueYard Capital, Onsight Ventures, and Dr. Jonathan Milner, the Founder of Abcam.
Decoding the Secrets of Cellular Rejuvenation
clock.bio has developed a proprietary aging model using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). By forcing these stem cells to age, the researchers can observe and analyze the natural rejuvenation mechanisms that restore the cells to a youthful state.
Through a genome-wide CRISPR screen and single-cell RNA sequencing, clock.bio has identified over 100 genes that play a crucial role in this rejuvenation process. This “Atlas of Rejuvenation Factors” provides valuable insights into the biological pathways that govern aging and rejuvenation.
From Discovery to Therapy
The company’s next steps involve validating these findings in somatic cells, analyzing the underlying pathways, and identifying potential therapeutic applications. clock.bio aims to develop novel treatments for age-related diseases by:
- Repurposing existing drugs: Identifying drugs that can target the rejuvenation pathways and potentially extend human healthspan.
- Developing new therapies: Targeting specific aging hallmarks with novel treatments based on the identified genetic factors.
Building a Strong Team and Partnerships
The seed funding has enabled clock.bio to expand its team with key hires, including CEO Markus Gstöttner and CTO Rodrigo Santos. The company is now focused on translating its research findings into clinical applications and seeking partnerships to initiate clinical trials.
A Vision for Increased Healthspan
clock.bio’s mission is to increase human healthspan by developing treatments that prevent and treat age-related diseases. By decoding the rejuvenation programs inherent in human cells, the company aims to unlock the secrets of aging and pave the way for a healthier and longer future.
“Our vision is to extend human healthspan by several years, in line with growing longevity. Our approach decodes an existing part of human biology, which makes us confident the findings will be translatable,” said Markus Gstöttner, CEO, clock.bio. “Running CRISPR screens across the full human genome constitutes an unbiased, comprehensive methodology, which now gives us more than one shot on target. We are thrilled to have reached this first major milestone with the support of our investors.”
