Junevity, a San Francisco-based longevity biotech startup founded in 2023, has successfully secured $10 million in seed funding to advance its innovative 'cell reset' therapies aimed at age-related diseases.

Preclinical studies have shown promising results for Junevity's drug candidates, with one demonstrating improved glucose control and insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice, while another led to significant weight loss in obesity models without adverse side effects.

The company utilizes artificial intelligence and extensive human data to identify transcription factors that regulate cellular health, aiming to restore these factors through small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapeutics.

Junevity's initial focus is on addressing conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and frailty, which significantly impact quality of life and accelerate aging.

The executive team is led by CEO Dr. John Hoekman and COO Rob Cahill, both of whom bring substantial experience in biotech and machine learning to the company.

The RESET platform, developed from research by co-founder Dr. Janine Sengstack at the University of California, San Francisco, integrates billions of data points to identify genes that regulate cell damage.

This platform produces the Cell RESET Atlas, a comprehensive collection of transcription factor targets categorized by cell type and disease.

Junevity's siRNA therapeutics are designed for long-acting treatment schedules, allowing for infrequent dosing every 3-12 months, which could enhance patient compliance and satisfaction.

The funding round was led by Goldcrest Capital and Godfrey Capital, reflecting strong investor confidence in Junevity's mission to extend lifespan and healthspan.

With the new funding, Junevity plans to advance towards clinical development and aims to initiate human trials for its first drug by 2026.

Brent Saunders, CEO of Bausch + Lomb and an advisor to Junevity, has praised the company's innovative approach and early data, highlighting its potential to address metabolic and age-related diseases.

Having licensed technology from UCSF and filed multiple patents for its siRNA therapeutic candidates, Junevity is poised to make significant strides in the biotech industry.