Longevity science projects funded by VitaDAO
VitaDAO primarily funds translational R&D. We are particularly interested in ‘moonshots’ – potential revolutionary contributions to science. On occasion we will also fund more ‘basic’ research and other projects in the interests of the LongBio community.
Explore our portfolio of funded projects, or follow the link below to submit your own project for funding.
$4m+
Funding Deployed
20
Research Projects Funded
200+
Projects Evaluated
$6M+
Liquid Funds
Autophagy - the mechanism to recycle cellular components - becomes dysregulated with age and is associated with numerous diseases. The Korolchuk lab, based at Newcastle University, will screen a compound library to identify novel autophagy-activating compounds with the aim of restoring autophagy function to aged cells.
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Senescent cells accumulate with age and are associated with numerous diseases. Dr. Amit Sharma’s team have identified senescence-specific cell surface biomarkers which will act as targets for developing Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer (CAR-NK) cells aiming to precisely and safely eliminate senescent cells in vivo.
Matrix Bio
VitaDAO and the Gorbunova Lab are launching Matrix Bio, a cutting-edge research venture leveraging the anti-cancer and pro-longevity effects of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid from naked mole rat to human.
Discovering Novel Autophagy Activators
Autophagy - the mechanism to recycle cellular components - becomes dysregulated with age and is associated with numerous diseases. The Korolchuk lab, based at Newcastle University, will screen a compound library to identify novel autophagy-activating compounds with the aim of restoring autophagy function to aged cells.
Scheibye-Knudsen Lab
What if therapeutics to slow down the aging process and prevent age-related disease already existed? The Scheibye-Knudsen Lab will use advanced machine learning to crunch the data from 1.04 billion prescriptions to understand the impact of drugs on human lifespan.
ApoptoSENS - Senolytic CAR-NK Cells
Senescent cells accumulate with age and are associated with numerous diseases. Dr. Amit Sharma’s team have identified senescence-specific cell surface biomarkers which will act as targets for developing Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural Killer (CAR-NK) cells aiming to precisely and safely eliminate senescent cells in vivo.
Discovery of novel mitophagy activators for Alzheimer’s disease
Mitophagy - the mechanism to recycle mitochondria - becomes dysregulated with age and is thought to be a driver of Alzheimer’s and other age-related diseases. The Fang lab aims to use a combination of artificial intelligence and a wet-lab validation platform to identify new mitophagy-activating drug candidates.
Reversing periodontal disease using Geroscience: Jonathan An
The greatest underlying risk factor for periodontitis is age, and its association with other age-related diseases. Jonathan An’s lab proposes to test a series of compounds targeting inflammation in a mouse model of age-related periodontitis, with the goal of finding a geroscience-based treatment for this neglected disease that has a severe impact on human healthspan.
Probing DNA Quadruplexes in Age Related Proteostasis
This project explores the role of DNA Helicases (WRN and BLM) and DNA quadruplexes (G4) structures in healthy and unhealthy aging and probing both the wanted and unwanted G4 structures and their impact on proteostasis maintenance, which may create the opportunity for novel drug targets.
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ARTAN Bio - Mutation-Specific Codon Suppression for Aging and Longevity
ARTAN is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class interventions to tackle the most frequent nonsense mutations implicated in a wide range of age-related diseases and cancers. These nonsense mutations induce premature stops of protein translation when occurring in coding regions.
Humanity
Humanity is a quantified-self app that connects wearables and activity apps to monitor digital biomarkers. The app generates a proprietary aging score, helping users understand activities that slow down or reverse their aging rate. The company uses behavior modification tools and develops biomarkers to guide users toward better healthspan interventions.
BE Therapeutics - Brain Tissue Replacement
The neocortex, the part that underlies our highest cognitive functions and self-identity, can be replaced by progressively replacing tissue areas over time without significant disruption in function or self-identity. This offers the possibility of age reversal for the neocortex through progressive tissue replacement.
ExcepGen Inc - RNA therapeutics for longevity
ExcepGen uses its RNAx platform to develop advanced vaccines that address viral infections linked to premature aging and shortened lifespan. The platform improves RNA cargo's effectiveness, promoting significant protein production for enhanced protection.
Turn Biotechnologies
Turn Bio develops mRNA medicines that induce the body to heal itself by instructing specific cells to fight disease or repair damaged tissue. They are reprogramming the epigenome – a network of chemical compounds and proteins controlling cell functions to restore capabilities that are lost with age.
ImmuneAge Bio - Rejuvenation of aged HSCs
ImmuneAGE Bio is the first drug discovery platform company focused on immune system rejuvenation. ImmuneAGE rejuvenates hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from the bone marrow based on a geroscience screening platform enabled by a new ‘StemSupply’ method achieving >1000x expansion of HSCs.
Rubedo.Life
Rubedo is building a platform for longevity medicines using “smart drugs” (prodrugs) that have the capacity to selectively be activated in target cells predicted to be pathogenic and the cause of age-related diseases.
Etheros - Fullerene Chemistry for Longevity
Etheros is developing a new class of small molecule drugs based on fullerene chemistry. The lead compound has shown to extend mouse lifespan, improve cognition in elderly mice, and has been neuroprotective in various animal studies. The compounds mimic enzymes that protect cells from oxidative and inflammatory injury. The current raise will help Etheros improve its IP portfolio
Repair Biotechnologies
Repair Biotechnologies is a preclinical-stage biotech company developing a first-in-class universal cell therapy for atherosclerosis. It aims to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke.
Hyperspectral Imaging for Alzheimer's Disease
Mantis Photonics AB is developing a hyperspectral camera for retinal imaging for the early screening of Alzheimer's Disease via the detection of the Amyloid beta peptide. The retina displays similarities to the brain and spinal cord in terms of anatomy, functionality and response to insult, hence, the eye providing a unique window to the central nervous system.
Zoe Biosciences
An early-stage therapeutic biotech with two programs - each centered on targets that are well-validated both for longevity and aging-related diseases.
Longevity Hackers Film Participation
A groundbreaking documentary examining the latest research and scientific breakthroughs in the field of longevity and healthy life extension. Featuring wide-ranging interviews from the researchers leading the charge to longevity critics, the film aims to educate and raise awareness, whilst providing a balanced analysis of this exciting and pioneering space.
Support of Clinical Trial - The Effect of Regular Exercise & Intermittent Rapamycin Dosing
This clinical trial aims to investigate whether periods of time where the mechanistic target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is activated via exercise, combined with alternate periods of time where mTOR is inhibited using Sirolimus (Rapamycin), will result in greater muscle performance in older adults compared with just exercise alone.
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