Interview: Dr Annu Navani on biotechnology and ‘the power to recode life itself’
Key developments in biologics and technology are paving the way for a future in which degenerative diseases – such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s – can be identified and nullified before their onset.
US physician Dr Annu Navani is driving these developments, which she believes will allow mankind to develop ‘the power to recode life itself’.
Speaking to Agetech World from her Californian base, she said: “These are exciting times and we are making great progress, so much so that we are actually going to be able to predict who is going to develop degenerative conditions.
“Then, we are going to be able to correct the host microenvironment to be able to receive renewed cellular therapies which will target particular conditions, systemically, and be able to prevent them.
“And then, if they are present, treat them by regenerating tissues, not just repairing and restoring.”
Dr Navani is a respected physician with decades of experience in pain management, anesthesiology, interventional spine care, ageing and regenerative medicine.
The founder and chief medical officer at California-based Le Reve Wellness sees regenerative science as being at a tipping point, with synthetic biology set to play a huge role.
Stem cells matter
The key medical development which shifted the paradigm in this field dates back to 2006, and Shinya Yamanaka’s revolutionary work which permits adult cells to be converted into pluripotent stem cells.
This reverse cell-editing process allows the regenerated cells to rejuvenate the body’s multi-faceted functions.
Their potential is currently being explored in musculoskeletal, neural regeneration, and ageing, with trials on the way.
But, as things stand under the existing regulations, US clinicians are using autologous stem cell therapies.
These treatments, in combination with the mapping of inherent biomarkers, are paving the way for a medical revolution.
One which will prompt a shift in focus to allow physicians to become preventive doctors – and move from reactive to proactive treatments.
Dr Navani continued: “By detecting earlier signs, which we can now do with biomarkers, we would be able to prevent these conditions from coming on, rather than just treating them.
“So, I think the future will not be so much about treating and diagnosing after the fact, but predicting and preventing these conditions.”
The future of medicine
Speaking at the Second Annual Latin American Pain Society Congress in Mexico City in 2024 Dr Navani began her address with a short segment on the future of medicine.
Entitled; Blurring the Boundaries Between Biologics and Technology: 2024 And Beyond it starts with a segment challenging the audience to elevate their horizons from the now, to the future.
“What happens when humans begin combining biology with technology?” It begins.
And continues: “It is the power to recode life itself. We will see human organ farms, governments using artificial wombs to rebuild populations, robots with biological parts.
“There will be genetically altered humans who are able to heal people through touch, and so much more. This is the world of biotechnology.”
This video is available on her website and discusses additional aspects of biotechnology including gene editing, robotics and neural engineering.
The ‘code to cure’
This passion for biotechnology will see Dr Navani shortly release her first book, Code to Cure: Physician’s Guide To Intelligent Healthcare.
She says: “I want each person to be aware of what’s out there, and the book doesn’t just cover longevity medicine or regenerative medicine.
“It goes over things like 3D bio-printing, or nanotechnology, of course, stem cells, VR, AR (augmented reality), and MR (mixed reality). VR is now FDA approved for back pain.
“People need to know this so that they can actually go out and seek these treatments from their doctors.
“It should become a normal day-to-day process for us. And we need to democratise these therapies of regenerative and longevity medicine.”
The World Institute of Regenerative Medicine
This passion for democratising medicine has seen Dr Navani and colleagues launch The World Institute of Regenerative Medicine.
It will host its first conference in California in April and is designed to unite ‘world-class clinicians, scientists, investors, industry innovators, and technology leaders in a powerful ecosystem dedicated to accelerating progress’.
She says: “Doctors need to know about this so that they can help their patients at the point of care, and, you know, it should become a normal day-to-day process for us, but it is not, at this time.
“So, I feel like that effort has to be taken to democratise these therapies of regenerative and longevity medicine.”
Tackling the five neurodegenerative diseases
In the ageing sector work is underway in relation to the five neurodegenerative conditions – Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease and multiple sclerosis – using biotechnology.
This comes, concomitant, with a future focused on healthspan, not just lifespan.
“Even in healthy people, the thing that they’re scared of is neuro-cognitive decline; Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“There is this concern; ‘What’s the point of living healthy if my brain doesn’t function well?
“So, a lot of patients in my practice want to really know about the risks of neuro-cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative conditions, and there are biomarkers that we use, such as neurofibrillary tangles.
“And, if there are ways in which we can incorporate therapies like glutathione or NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide; oxidized form), which are essential for our body to be able to delay those, symptoms from coming on, or improve the brain health.
“Along with stem cells, but with growth factors and mRNA types of therapies, along with cytokines, that would actually prevent neuro-degeneration happening,” says Dr Navani.
