Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme critical for cellular energy metabolism that declines with age. NAD+ precursors like NMN and NR are studied as longevity interventions.

Mechanistic target of rapamycin, a key nutrient-sensing pathway that regulates cell growth and aging. Inhibiting mTOR (e.g., with rapamycin) has shown lifespan extension in multiple organisms.

A class of drugs that selectively eliminate senescent (aged, dysfunctional) cells to reduce inflammation and improve tissue function.

What is Epigenetic clock?

A biomarker based on DNA methylation patterns that estimates biological age, often more predictive of health outcomes than chronological age.

The period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disability associated with aging.

An immunosuppressant drug that inhibits the mTOR pathway. Research shows rapamycin may extend lifespan and improve age-related health outcomes in multiple species.

What is Biological age?

A measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your chronological age, assessed through biomarkers such as DNA methylation, telomere length, and blood panels.

What is Caloric restriction?

A dietary regimen that reduces calorie intake without malnutrition. Caloric restriction is one of the most studied interventions shown to extend lifespan across species.

Protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Telomere length is associated with aging and age-related diseases.

A state in which cells permanently stop dividing but resist death, accumulating with age and secreting inflammatory factors that damage surrounding tissue.

A second-generation epigenetic clock that predicts time to death and is considered one of the most accurate measures of biological aging.

What is Inflammaging?

Chronic, low-grade inflammation that increases with age and contributes to the development of age-related diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegeneration.

The large-scale study of proteins in biological systems. In longevity research, proteomics identifies blood protein signatures that predict biological age and disease risk.

What is Yamanaka factors?

A set of four transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) that can reprogram adult cells to a pluripotent state. Partial reprogramming with Yamanaka factors is being explored to reverse cellular aging.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide, a precursor to NAD+ that is widely studied as a supplement to boost cellular energy and combat age-related decline.

A gene-editing technology that allows precise modifications to DNA. In longevity research, CRISPR is used to study and potentially modify genes associated with aging.

Life Biosciences lands $80m to push cell reset therapy

Boston-based biotech Life Biosciences has secured $80 million in Series D funding to advance its pioneering cell reset therapy, ER-100, which aims to rejuvenate older, damaged cells. This marks the initiation of the first human trial for this therapy, positioning it as a potential game-changer in the fight against age-related diseases. The funding reflects a growing investor confidence in companies targeting the underlying biology of aging rather than merely addressing symptoms.

ER-100 is currently being tested in patients suffering from open-angle glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), conditions that lead to irreversible vision loss due to damaged nerve cells that do not regenerate. Unlike conventional treatments that focus on symptom management, ER-100 seeks to restore cellular function, effectively allowing these neurons to “remember” their youthful state. This approach utilizes partial epigenetic reprogramming to help cells shed some of the damage associated with aging without fundamentally altering their identity, akin to updating an outdated smartphone to improve its performance.

The implications of this development extend beyond a single therapeutic application. Life Biosciences’ Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming (PER) platform aims to restore cellular function across various organs and systems, targeting the root causes of multiple chronic diseases linked to aging. This funding not only propels ER-100 through critical clinical milestones but also signifies a shift in research paradigms, emphasizing the potential for disease-modifying solutions that enhance healthspan. As the longevity field transitions from preclinical models to human trials, the success of ER-100 could redefine therapeutic strategies in aging biology, potentially reshaping our understanding of aging and its management.

Source: longevity.technology