Quick-moving startup is taking a multidisciplinary method to leverage epigenetic rejuvenation in opposition to a number of age-related ailments.
British biotech startup 199 Biotechnologies is the newest participant to enter the wild world of epigenetic reprogramming, because it seeks to harness the facility of the expertise to focus on age-related and continual ailments. The London-based firm, which not too long ago secured $6.5 million in seed funding, is on a mission to deal with the foundation explanation for growing older via modern therapies designed to reverse adjustments to the epigenome.
Epigenetic adjustments are modifications to our DNA that regulate whether or not sure genes are turned on or off, and these adjustments enhance with age, resulting in lowered mobile resilience, immune perform decline and elevated susceptibility to illness. By combining bioengineering, AI, microfluidics and genetics, 199 Bio is growing reprogramming applied sciences supposed to reverse these epigenetic alterations, with the aim of restoring mobile perform and tackling continual ailments at their root.
Longevity.Know-how: In 2006, Professor Shinya Yamanaka made the Nobel Prize winning discovery that an grownup cell could possibly be reverted again into an embryonic stem cell by exposing them to a key group of protein transcription components. Yamanaka’s groundbreaking work was only the start, as researchers internationally sought to harness the potential of transcription components to reverse mobile growing older by way of epigenetic reprogramming. 199 Bio is the newest firm to enter a worldwide race to harness the potential of the expertise to reverse illness, enhance healthspan and, finally, prolong human lifespan. To study extra in regards to the firm’s method, we caught up with its founder and CEO, Boris Djordjevic.
Since launching final yr, 199 Bio has grown quickly, boasting a core staff of 25, together with 12 lab-based researchers, and is already in massive mammal research for a few of its packages. Pushed by the staff’s private experiences with members of the family, the corporate’s key areas of focus embody most cancers, neurodegenerative ailments, microvasculature rejuvenation and ovarian growing older.
“The Yamanaka components have basically revealed a ‘cheat code’ in biology,” says Djordjevic, who reveals the corporate can be conducting work in FSHD, a uncommon type of muscular dystrophy, in collaboration with high-profile FSHD campaigner Lululemon founder Chip Wilson.
“We’re leveraging the components as a basic device to handle gene expression points throughout numerous ailments. It’s a robust method that acts on virtually the entire epigenome.”
‘Ethical crucial’ to speed up translation
Whereas Djordjevic acknowledges that there are some inherent dangers related to a brand new expertise like mobile reprogramming, he believes there’s a “ethical crucial” to speed up the interpretation of analysis into new therapies.
“Many sufferers, together with my circle of relatives members, can’t afford to attend 5-10 years for brand new therapies to turn into out there,” he says. “We’re dedicated to bridging the hole between cutting-edge analysis and affected person care. Whereas there are dangers, resembling teratomas in partial reprogramming, we consider these might be managed, particularly when weighed in opposition to the potential advantages for sufferers with restricted choices.”
With a key deal with rapidly transferring from lab to clinic, 199 Bio is trying to conduct vital work in China, whereas it conducts its regulatory processes in different markets. Djordjevic says the corporate is on a trajectory to enter its first human trials inside two years.
“In China, we’re aiming to start out a section one human trial inside 12 to 24 months,” he says. “That is remarkably quick, contemplating we’ll be conducting toxicology, security, and non-human primate research inside months.”
Being first to market is essential
Having already entered a collaboration with Beijing’s Tiantan Hospital, a number one mind most cancers analysis middle, 199 Bio is aiming to faucet into China’s massive affected person pool and the potential for an accelerated scientific trials course of. Djordjevic says that the corporate’s emphasis on velocity means it’s much less centered on making certain that its IP is totally watertight.
“Being first to market is essential,” says Djordjevic. “Have a look at Ozempic – it’s turn into a family identify regardless of different medicine being probably higher. We’re specializing in progress and serving to sufferers somewhat than getting slowed down in IP concerns.”
In an effort to obtain its objectives, 199 Bio is leaving no stone unturned, and is exploring the potential of a number of therapeutic platforms to allow mobile reprogramming – from mRNA and cell remedy approaches to ex vivo reprogramming and even organ-on-a-chip applied sciences. The corporate has appointed a authorized professional to assist it develop its IP technique, notably in relation to supply programs, which can nicely contain working with different corporations within the house.
“We’re agnostic about whether or not we use mRNA or viral vectors to introduce epigenetic reprogramming components straight into cells, and we’re working with each applied sciences,” says Djordjevic. “In fact, reprogramming cells exterior the physique may fit higher for producing customized therapies and lowering immune rejection dangers. These are all potential avenues we’re exploiting, and we’re open to collaborations.”
Whereas its objectives are little doubt bold, 199 Bio is assembling a staff able to delivering, and already boasts Professor João Pedro de Magalhães, Chair of Molecular Biogerontology on the College of Birmingham, amongst its scientific advisors. In the end, says Djordjevic, it’s all about getting probably life-saving new therapies to the sufferers who so urgently want them.
“Take into consideration folks with late-stage most cancers and superior neurodegenerative ailments – they need to be capable to entry these therapies sooner,” he provides. “Why deprive them of entry, whereas scientists try to get extra grants. It’s well worth the danger.”
