The longevity biotech industry is focused on increasing the length of time people live in good health. Recent years have seen an explosion of efforts to create drugs that target aging as the root cause of many diseases. This biotech sector has grown rapidly, and many anti-aging startups have emerged globally.
A key technology currently being used to develop anti-aging therapies is epigenetic reprogramming. This involves identifying specific transcription factors, known as the “Yamanaka factors” after Nobel laureate Shinya Yamanaka, which can transform somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells. These factors induce changes in gene expression and cellular behavior, reversing or modifying the epigenetic markers associated with aging. This rejuvenates cells and tissues, potentially slowing down or even reversing the effects of aging and age-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative conditions.
This technology has been tested in animal models with positive results, leading to significant investment in startups working to rejuvenate humans. Other approaches under development include triggering self-rejuvenation mechanisms in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and using gene therapy to promote healthy aging by delivering specific gene variants.
Here’s a look at 10 notable anti-aging biotech companies on a mission to extend life and fight age-related diseases.
1. Altos Labs
- Technology: Partial epigenetic reprogramming
- Recent Funding: $3 billion
- Recent News: Successfully extended the lifespan of mice
Altos Labs, with $3 billion in funding, aims to restore cell health through rejuvenation programming to reverse disease, injury, and disabilities. Its recent research showed partial reprogramming can extend the lifespan of mice, a significant step toward clinical applications.
2. Cambrian Bio
- Technology: Small molecule AMPK/mitochondrial activator, mTOR inhibitors
- Recent Funding: $100 million Series C
Cambrian Bio targets age-related diseases by developing therapies that proactively remove cellular damage. Their pipeline includes AMPK/mitochondrial activators for treating cardiometabolic diseases and mTOR inhibitors for respiratory diseases.
3. Clock.bio
- Technology: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) aging model
- Recent Funding: $5.3 million
Clock.bio focuses on regenerative medicine using iPSCs to treat age-related diseases. It recently decoded rejuvenation biology across the human genome, creating an “Atlas of Rejuvenation” that identifies genes critical for reversing aging.
4. Genflow Biosciences
- Technology: Gene therapy
- Recent News: Raised €4 million for MASH treatment development
Genflow uses gene therapy to treat aging by delivering copies of the Sirtuin-6 (SIRT6) gene variant, linked to longevity. Their lead compound, GF-1002, is in development for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
5. Junevity
- Technology: siRNA therapeutics
- Recent Funding: $10 million Seed
Junevity uses its RESET platform, powered by AI and large-scale human data, to develop siRNA therapeutics that reset cell health. Its candidates have shown promising results in type 2 diabetes and obesity.
6. Juvenescence
- Technology: Small molecules
- Recent News: Acquired UniverXome Bioengineering
Juvenescence is developing therapies for age-related diseases using small molecules, gene therapies, and regenerative medicine. Its lead candidate targets fibrosis, with multiple other programs targeting diseases like Alzheimer’s.
7. Life Biosciences
- Technology: Gene therapy, partial epigenetic reprogramming
- Recent Funding: $82 million Series C
Life Biosciences targets aging biology with gene therapy and epigenetic reprogramming. Their lead therapy, ER-100, is aimed at treating optic neuropathies through partial reprogramming to rejuvenate cells.
8. New Limit
- Technology: Epigenetic reprogramming
- Recent Funding: $40 million Series A
New Limit is working on epigenetic reprogramming to reverse cellular aging, focusing initially on T cells. The company combines genomics, epigenetic editing, and machine learning to reprogram cells to act younger.
9. Rejuvenate Bio
- Technology: Gene therapy
- Recent News: Received $4 million in funding
Rejuvenate Bio focuses on gene therapies for chronic age-related diseases, particularly in cardiac and metabolic conditions. Their lead candidate aims to treat cardiomyopathy through the delivery of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21).
10. Retro Biosciences
- Technology: Cellular reprogramming and autophagy
- Recent Funding: $180 million
Retro Biosciences aims to add 10 years to the human lifespan using cellular reprogramming and autophagy. It has partnered with OpenAI to improve stem cell production efficiency, a critical step for its therapies.
Looking Ahead: The Anti-Aging Market
The anti-aging biotech sector is attracting significant investment, with companies working on a range of promising technologies. The global anti-aging market, valued at $1.18 billion in 2023, is expected to grow to $2.29 billion by 2032. As research advances and clinical trials emerge, these startups could reshape the future of aging and disease prevention, offering hope for a longer, healthier life.
