Longevity & Biotech Pre-IPO

Senolytics & Genetic Therapy

Explainers and investment vehicles in senolytic/genetic therapies.

Investment Overview

Senolytics and genetic therapies represent cutting-edge longevity interventions targeting cellular senescence (zombie cells) and genetic aging mechanisms. Senolytics: Drugs clearing senescent cells (Unity Biotechnology, Oisin Biotechnologies, Rubedo Life Sciences). Genetic therapy: CRISPR-based interventions (Altos Labs, Rejuvenate Bio), epigenetic reprogramming (Life Biosciences), telomere extension (Libella Gene Therapeutics). Investment thesis: Senescent cells drive aging; clearance improves healthspan in mice 30-40%. CRISPR editing could reverse epigenetic aging. Market size: $500M senolytics (2024), projected $10B by 2035. Access: Public stocks (UBX), private equity (limited), crowdfunding (rare).

Market Context & Trends

Unity Biotechnology IPO ($1B valuation, 2018) brought senolytics mainstream but crashed 94% after UBX0101 (osteoarthritis senolytic) failed Phase II (2020). Caused sector skepticism. However, new companies advanced: Oisin Biotech ($50M raised), Rubedo Life Sciences ($40M). Genetic therapy: Altos Labs raised $3B (2021, Jeff Bezos backing) for cellular reprogramming. Rejuvenate Bio demonstrated gene therapy reversing aging in dogs. FDA exploring aging indication could accelerate approvals, but 2024 remains disease-specific (must treat arthritis, not "aging").

How to Invest in Senolytics & Genetic Therapy

Unity Biotechnology (UBX): Public senolytic company, pivoting after Phase II failure, $50M market cap

Altos Labs: $3B private funding, cellular reprogramming, no retail access (institutional only)

Life Biosciences: Private, epigenetic reprogramming portfolio, $100M+ raised, no retail access

Rubedo Life Sciences: Private, senolytic development, $40M Series A (2023), no retail access

Longevity Vision Fund: VC fund with senolytic/genetic therapy exposure, $100K+ minimums

Key Platforms & Access Points

Unity Biotechnology (UBX): Nasdaq-listed, only public senolytic pure-play, speculative turnaround

Altos Labs: No public access, largest private longevity company, cellular reprogramming focus

Life Biosciences: Private, multiple subsidiary companies (Senolytic Therapeutics, Continuum Biosciences)

Rejuvenate Bio: Private, gene therapy for aging in dogs (proof of concept), $6M seed

Longevity Vision Fund: VC fund, portfolio companies include senolytics and genetic therapies

Key Investment Metrics

Senescence biomarkers: p16, p21 protein levels in tissue; successful senolytics reduce 50-80%

Lifespan extension: Mouse studies showing 20-30% lifespan increase minimum for credibility

Delivery mechanism: Oral (easiest), IV (moderate), gene therapy vector (complex, safety concerns)

Safety profile: Senolytics can damage healthy tissue if non-selective; selectivity ratio >100:1 required

Intellectual property: Patents on senolytic compounds, delivery methods, combination therapies

Risk Considerations

Understanding these risks is critical before investing in senolytics & genetic therapy.

Clinical failure: Unity UBX0101 failed Phase II despite strong preclinical data; human biology complex
Safety concerns: Gene therapy can cause cancer (insertional mutagenesis); 2024 FDA still cautious
Off-target effects: CRISPR edits can hit wrong genes; long-term consequences unknown
Regulatory hurdles: FDA doesn't recognize aging as disease; must prove disease-specific benefit
Capital intensity: $500M-$2B required from preclinical to approval; most companies underfunded

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