The Emerging Space of Anti-Aging Therapies: Therapeutic Potential and Future Outlook
Population aging is a global phenomenon, and while not as critical as finding cures for cancer or rare diseases, anti-aging therapies – a branch of regenerative medicine – have consistently intrigued researchers, investors, and biotech entrepreneurs for the last decade. A few weeks ago, our thought leadership article spotlighted cellular reprogramming, or the ability to reverse aging in human cells. This week, we will discuss a different type of regenerative medicine gaining traction in biotech – targeting senescent cells.
Senescence occurs when cells lose the ability to divide and is a natural part of the aging process, as well as a healthy part of wound healing and fetal development. However, as we age, senescent cells can accumulate in the body and secrete inflammatory factors like chemokines and cytokines, which can cause chronic inflammation in vital organ systems and further deteriorate healthy cell function.
In 2010, the therapeutic value of senescent cell therapy was shown by Jan van Duersen and colleagues, who demonstrated that the removal of senescent cells via a transgene could reverse aging phenotypes and extend the median lifespan in naturally aged mice (Baker et al, 2016 cited in Cheng, 2020).
With this knowledge, researchers are seeking ways to therapeutically target senescent cells for healthier aging through cell destruction or apoptosis (senolytics), or with therapies that modulate senescent cells (senomorphics). (Tay & Low, 2021). So far, senolytics that have proven effective in research stages are specific combinations of small molecule compounds, and modified cells (such as CAR-T cells) engineered to detect biomarkers for senescence. Despite promising results of studies using both approaches, challenges remain. These include consistently and correctly identifying senescent cells, ensuring drug delivery specificity, and reducing or eliminating off-target effects.
Therapeutic areas being explored using senescent cell therapies are varied. In 2019, Mayo Clinic Phase I studies of dasatanib + quercetin showed promising results in improving physical function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and reducing senescence load in patients with diabetes and kidney dysfunction (Nielsen et al, 2022). And last month, Unity Biotechnology – the first senescence company and only publicly traded one of its kind – revealed a rapid improvement in visual acuity in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) in Phase I studies (Unity Biotechnology, 2022).
Another potential therapeutic area is the central nervous system (CNS). Researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, in collaboration with the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia have shown senolytic therapy can enhance the formation of new nerve cells in the brain and improve cognitive function (Danti, 2022).
Overall, there is great diversity in the indications for senescence therapies. As Nathan Cheng observed in his article, A Tour of All Senolytics Companies (2020), almost any condition related to damaged cells shows potential in this space, with the most common being cancer, age-related, degenerative, and fibrotic diseases. Regarding cancer, senolytic therapy also shows promise as a combination therapy for patients undergoing cancer treatment, as chemotoxicity enhances cell senescence and can impair the body’s natural ability to rid itself of these cells.
Besides Unity, most Senolytics companies are in early stages of development, having gotten off the ground with privately funded seed rounds and unknown Series A amounts. Because anti-aging medicine and longevity therapies are still in their infancy, funding comes largely from wealthy individuals in the tech world (Mast, 2021). Luckily senescent cell research has proven to be one of the most viable anti-aging therapies in lab animals, and as milestone successes with better known companies such as Unity continues to provide positive results, we will surely see consistent development in this space.
The life sciences executive search consultants at BayBridge take a particular interest in cutting edge, next-generation therapies that challenge our knowledge and create opportunities to work in highly specialized niches in the market. Our dedicated team of expert consultants are well-versed in the space of regenerative medicine, antiaging therapies, and enjoy building extensive networks within this space using our Talent Management approach and look forward to connecting candidates and clients with best-in-market people and opportunities.
References
Cheng, N. (15 December 2020). #018: A tour of all senolytics companies. Longevity Marketcap Newsletter. https://sub.longevitymarketcap.com/p/018-a-tour-of-all-senolytics-companies?utm_source=url
Danti, A. (21 January 2022). Destroying senescent stem cells in the brain enhances cognitive function in mice. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. https://www.genengnews.com/topics/translational-medicine/destroying-senescent-stem-cells-in-the-brain-enhances-cognitive-function-in-mice/
Mast, J. (10 September 2021). A longevity researcher and wealthy backers launch fast grants to fund ‘crazy ideas’ in anti-aging research. Endpoints News. https://endpts.com/a-longevity-researcher-and-some-wealthy-backers-launch-a-new-fund-for-some-of-the-riskiest-anti-aging-ideas/
Nielsen, J.L., Bakula, D., & Schebye-Knudsen, M. (4 February 2022). Clinical trials targeting aging. Frontiers in Aging. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fragi.2022.820215/full
Tay, A., & Low, J. (23 December 2021). Senolytics to tackle age-related pathologies. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. https://www.genengnews.com/insights/senolytics-to-tackle-age-related-pathologies/
Unity Biotechnology. (n.d.). About us: Jan van Duersen, PhD. https://unitybiotechnology.com/team/jan-van-deursen/
