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.
If you’re not sure whether your project is a good fit for VitaDAO funding, you can read our project submission FAQ below, or connect with the VitaDAO Discord community for guidance.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Korolchuck lab proposes a drug discovery programme with the aim of identifying novel bioactive autophagy inducers. Activation of autophagy is considered a promising therapeutic approach to combat ageing and age-related diseases.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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 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.
Mantis Photonics AB is developing a hyperspectral camera for retinal imaging for the early screening of Alzheimer 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.
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.
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.
