Biotechnology company Junevity has raised $10m in funding to advance its RESET platform, which uses large-scale human data and AI to identify genes – or transcription factors – that can regulate cell damage, and to develop its first therapeutic candidates in Type 2 diabetes, obesity and frailty.
Diseases like obesity, diabetes, frailty, neurodegeneration and many others shorten human lifespan and are associated with complex cell damage at the transcriptional level. The RESET platform uses billions of data points from human diseases and AI to rank and evaluate potential targets.
Together, the platform outputs the Cell RESET Atlas, a collection of promising transcription factor targets by cell type and by disease for therapeutic targeting. Junevity then develops novel silencing RNA (siRNA) therapeutics to restore cellular transcription back to a healthy state.
In Type 2 diabetes, Junevity’s first siRNA therapeutic candidate improved glucose control and insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice without causing weight gain or other side effects associated with insulin sensitizers.
In obesity, Junevity’s second siRNA candidate improved adipose tissue metabolism and reduced food intake, leading to 30 per cent weight loss versus controls. Importantly, this weight loss was driven by fat loss with retention of lean mass.
Both drug candidates are siRNA, meaning dosing once every three to 12 months is possible. This approach is patient-friendly and could increase compliance and satisfaction for diabetes and obesity treatments.
The Junevity RESET platform is based on exclusively licensed research by co-founder Dr. Janine Sengstack at the University of California at San Francisco.
“My research at UCSF showed the power of targeting transcription factors to restore aged human cells back to health,” said Janine Sengstack, co-founder and chief scientific officer at Junevity.
“Based on these discoveries, we are bringing forward a new class of cell reset therapeutics for diseases, with the ultimate goal of greater human longevity.”
“Junevity’s RESET platform is a big idea that could broadly impact human health by addressing aging at the cellular level,” said John Hoekman, co-founder and chief executive officer at Junevity.
“We plan to advance multiple clinical programs, both directly and with partners, to make progress against diseases of ageing.”
“The Junevity team has a novel approach, incredible early data and tremendous potential to treat metabolic and age-related diseases,” said Brent Saunders, CEO and chairman of Bausch + Lomb, and an advisor to Junevity. “I’m excited to see how Junevity will advance this innovative platform.”