Live·Open questions in longevity research

Direction

Repairing damage

Senolytics, mitochondrial and matrix repair, clearing what has accumulated

Companies

Companies in this direction

Ambition is what a company claims. Independent replication is what others have confirmed. Read the two columns together: the gap between them is where a promise runs ahead of a result.

CompanyAmbitionIndependent replicationStageHeadquarters
Aptah Bio
Aptah Bio develops oligo-based transcription modulation technology to restore RNA function and overcome cancer.
82San Carlos, California, United States
Arda Therapeutics
Arda develops targeted cell depletion therapies to treat chronic diseases by eliminating pathogenic cells.
80series aSan Carlos, California, United States
Attralus
Attralus develops pan-amyloid removal therapeutics designed to bind and remove toxic amyloid in systemic amyloidosis.
84San Francisco, California, United States
Booster Therapeutics
Booster Therapeutics develops small molecules that directly activate 20S proteasomes to restore protein quality control in complex diseases.
83Germany
Casma Therapeutics
Casma Therapeutics develops cellular degradation approaches based on autophagy for drug discovery and development.
74series c plusBoston, Massachusetts, United States
Cleara
Cleara Biotech develops peptide-based therapies to selectively eliminate cancer and chronic disease cells with impaired p53 signaling.
82Netherlands
Cyclarity Therapeutics
Cyclarity develops drugs to prevent age-related conditions by removing arterial plaque and clearing non-degradable cholesterol from arterial wall cells.
83seed
Cyclo Therapeutics
Develops medicines for rare and neurological disorders, led by Trappsol Cyclo for cholesterol transport diseases.
74acquiredGainesville, Florida, United States
Deciduous Therapeutics
Develops novel medicines that activate endogenous immune mechanisms to eliminate senescent cells and treat age-related diseases.
82953 Indiana Street San Francisco, CA 94107
Elastrin Therapeutics
Elastrin Therapeutics develops targeted therapies to reverse arterial calcification and address cardiovascular and age-related conditions.
82Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Elixirgen Therapeutics
Develops therapies for rare diseases and aging-associated diseases using ZSCAN4 telomere technology and Bobcat mRNA.
83Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Endogena Therapeutics
Clinical-stage biotech developing first-in-class endogenous regenerative medicines to repair and regenerate tissues and organs.
62Zurich, Switzerland
ETTA
ETTA develops AI-guided longevity therapeutics targeting aging, including senescent cells.
70United States
EVerZom
EVerZom develops exosome-based therapeutics for digestive tissue healing and organ regeneration.
63Paris, France
Intervene Immune
Intervene Immune develops treatments for thymus regeneration and human longevity.
821124 West Carson Street, MRL Building, 3rd Floor, Torrance, CA 90502
IntraClear Biologics
IntraClear Biologics develops damage-repair bioengineering therapies and ageing biomarkers targeting intracellular junk such as lipofuscin and 7-ketocholesterol.
70Estonia
Juvena Therapeutics
Juvena develops tissue restorative biologics for myopathies and metabolic diseases using an AI-enabled secreted protein platform.
72series aUnited States
Katairo GmbH
Katairo develops Remofuscin for seriously disabling eye indications including Stargardt disease and dry age-related macular degeneration.
73Tübingen, Germany
Legendary Pharmaceuticals
Developing pharmaceutical and gene therapies to repair and reverse pathological changes of aging.
80Gainesville, Florida, United States
Lento Bio
Lento Bio develops small molecule therapeutics that repair molecular damage in the aging eye.
81Syracuse, New York, United States
Matter Bio82
Morphoceuticals Inc
TechBio company building the first atlas of the bioelectrome to induce regeneration and treat disease.
92Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Nexus Research Solutionts
Nexus Research Solutions develops biomimetic longevity applications targeting cellular regeneration, ATP production, inflammation regulation, and neural preservation.
60Dubai, UAE
Oisín Biotechnologies
Oisín Biotechnologies develops redosable genetic medicines targeting the biology of aging using non-viral Fusogenix PLV delivery.
82701 Fifth Avenue Suite 4200 Seattle, WA 98104
Regerna Therapeutics
Regerna develops RNA-binding protein therapeutics to restore and regenerate functional muscle in aging, injury, and muscular dystrophy.
83New York City, New York, United States
Rejuvenation Technologies
Rejuvenation develops telomere extension therapies to rewind cellular aging mechanisms and treat diseases caused by short telomeres.
82United States
ReneuBio
ReneuBio develops small molecules to restore regenerative capacity in the aging brain by reactivating dormant neural stem cells.
81San Diego, California, United States
Repair Biotechnologies
Repair Biotechnologies develops a Cholesterol Degrading Platform to treat conditions caused by localized accumulations of excess cholesterol.
81seed841 East Fayette St Syracuse, NY 13210
RF Longevity
RF Longevity aims to increase human longevity through bioengineering with transcranial radiofrequency waves.
82Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Rockfish Bio
Rockfish Bio develops senolytic therapies for age-related diseases and healthy aging.
81Vienna, Austria
Rubedo Life Sciences
Rubedo discovers and develops medicines targeting pathologic cells that drive aging and chronic diseases.
83Sunnyvale, CA
Samsara Therapeutics
Samsara Therapeutics develops autophagy-activating therapeutics for age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
70series aUnited States
TAZ Inc.
TAZ develops anti-aging products, senolytic assays, epigenetic age testing, biomarkers, and drug discovery for age-related diseases.
60〒113-0033 東京都文京区本郷3-38-10 BIZComfort本郷38
Telos Biotech
Telos Biotech develops Telovance, a protein complex designed to lengthen telomeres during ex-vivo cell therapy manufacturing.
72United States
Vandria
Vandria develops first-in-class small molecules to restore mitochondrial function and reduce inflammation in age-related and chronic diseases.
82series aSwitzerland
Vaxxinity (website removed all info intentionally*)
Vaxxinity develops active immunotherapy medicines that harness the immune system to produce antibodies against disease.
63Florida, United States; New York City, New York, United States
Vincere Biosciences
Vincere makes new medicines to treat age-related diseases including Parkinson’s and kidney disease.
73United States
Yap Therapeutics
Medley Therapeutics develops regenerative genetic medicines and advanced biologics for chronic and life-threatening diseases.
83United States

People

People in this direction

  1. Aubrey de Greypopulariser · through Repair Biotechnologies

    SENS Foundation founder and longevity advocacy pioneer.

  2. George Churchscientist · through Matter Bio

    Led and founded major synthetic biology and genomics efforts with public work on aging reversal, gene therapy, and longevity biotechnology companies including Rejuvenate Bio.

  3. Marco Demariascientist · through Rubedo Life Sciences

    Cellular-senescence researcher mapping its roles across aging and disease

  4. João Pedro de Magalhãesscientist · through IntraClear Biologics

    Senescence.info founder and aging-database builder.

  5. Peter de Keizerscientist · through Cleara

    Senescence researcher developing targeted senolytic therapies

  6. Steve Horvathscientist · through Intervene Immune
  7. Vera Gorbunovascientist · through Permanence Bio

    Biologist discovering natural mechanisms of cancer resistance and longevity

  8. Matt Kaeberleinscientist · through Rejuveron Vascular Therapeutics AG (was RejuverVas)
  9. Laura Deminginvestor · through Deciduous Therapeutics

    Founded The Longevity Fund as an early dedicated VC vehicle for aging and life-extension companies, helping make longevity biotech a fundable startup category.

  10. Eric Verdinscientist · through Deciduous Therapeutics
  11. Michael Levinscientist · through Morphoceuticals Inc

    Regenerative biology and bioelectricity pioneer.

  12. David Gobelphilanthropist · through Oisín Biotechnologies

    Co-founded and leads Methuselah Foundation, which funds prizes, grants, and ventures to extend healthy human lifespan and helped incubate SENS-related work.

  13. Kristen Fortneyentrepreneur · through Deciduous Therapeutics
  14. Jim Mellonentrepreneur · through Repair Biotechnologies

    Co-founded Juvenescence and publicly framed longevity as an investable biotechnology thesis through the book Juvenescence and substantial company-building activity.

  15. James Peyerentrepreneur · through Deciduous Therapeutics

    Biotech builder translating aging biology into a portfolio of medicines

  16. Christian Angermayerentrepreneur · through Rejuveron Vascular Therapeutics AG (was RejuverVas)
  17. Kelsey Moodyentrepreneur · through Lento Bio

    Drug-development entrepreneur building an integrated longevity biotech platform

  18. Peter Diamandisentrepreneur · through Vaxxinity (website removed all info intentionally*)
  19. Phil Newmanpopulariser · through Endogena Therapeutics

Chronology

What happened, and when

  1. Feb 10, 2026Funding roundTAZ Inc.

    series a

  2. Nov 13, 2025Funding roundBooster Therapeutics

    grant · The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

  3. Dec 18, 2024Funding roundVandria

    series a · $32M

  4. Oct 13, 2024Funding roundBooster Therapeutics

    seed · $15M · Apollo Health Ventures, Novo Holdings

  5. Oct 9, 2024Funding roundArda Therapeutics

    series a · $43M · Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Bio + Health

  6. May 29, 2024Funding roundMatter Bio

    seed · $7M

  7. Jan 18, 2024Funding roundVaxxinity (website removed all info intentionally*)

    grant

  8. Dec 14, 2023Funding roundVandria

    series a · $30.7M · ND Capital

  9. Oct 3, 2023Funding roundDeciduous Therapeutics

    other · LifeSpan Vision Ventures

  10. Feb 15, 2023Funding roundMorphoceuticals Inc

    seed · $8M · Prime Movers Lab

  11. Nov 15, 2022Funding roundCasma Therapeutics

    series c · $46M

  12. Sep 6, 2022Funding roundLento Bio

    seed · $680K · Ichor Life Sciences

  13. May 27, 2021Funding roundOisín Biotechnologies

    seed · $5M · Althea Group, LLC

  14. Feb 26, 2020Funding roundOisín Biotechnologies

    safe · $3M

  15. May 7, 2019Funding roundRepair Biotechnologies

    seed · $2.1M · Jim Mellon

  16. Sep 15, 2018Funding roundRepair Biotechnologies

    other

  17. Sep 15, 2018Funding roundRepair Biotechnologies

    pre seed

Hypotheses

Hypotheses under test in this direction

Published by the Omega Point engine and tagged to this direction by a classifier; the gap each one attacks is named under it

  1. Different outcomes explain the apparent reversal of Yes-associated protein's effectsSep 21, 2026In post-closure fibroblasts, the apparent reversal of Yes-associated protein (YAP) effects reflects mismatched outcomes. Matched measurements of force and lasting mobility would reject this explanation if activation restores function at one matrix tension and inhibition does so at another.
  2. Surviving skin fibroblasts must briefly dismantle their contractile machinery to stop pullingSep 21, 2026In post-closure aged human skin equivalents, YAP (Yes-associated protein) permits protein cleavage that ends contraction without killing fibroblasts. Blocking cleavage should preserve force despite the usual gene response; permitting it should restore mobility in the same surviving cells.
  3. Restoring skin matrix makes faster drainage wash away signals needed for recoverySep 21, 2026In matrix-restored aged skin, faster drainage could remove local signals that resolve inflammation and delay barrier recovery. Recovery rescued by replacing the selectively lost signal while drainage stays high would distinguish this mechanism from a conventional clearance limitation.
  4. Misplaced competent cells leave repaired skin unable to restore hair growthSep 21, 2026In barcoded epithelial populations and paired skin-surface and hair-follicle reconstructions, repair leaves capable cells in the wrong locations. Restoring hair output by exchanging equal cell numbers, with the full cell roster and intrinsic competence preserved, would distinguish misplaced cells from damaged cells.
  5. Mineral deposits make expanded skin matrix brittle after filler resorptionSep 21, 2026In susceptible photoaged human skin, calcium-phosphate deposits could make new collagen brittle after filler resorption. Mineral enrichment in failing sites and improved resistance to repeated deformation after selective mineral removal would distinguish this explanation.
  6. Repeated friction erases skin repair progress and sustains failure after maintenance gapsSep 21, 2026In human skin, resumed conditioning may repeatedly remove newly formed surface coverage despite normal sweating and uninterrupted repair speed. Matched friction delivered at different intervals, serial imaging and recovery during a protected interval would distinguish this mechanism.
  7. Correcting nerve signal timing can restore skin protection without adding nerve fibersSep 21, 2026In innervated skin preparations, the hypothesis predicts that narrowing signal delays restores protective response timing, blood flow and sweating without adding fibers. Disrupting timing while keeping delivered activity unchanged would abolish recovery.
  8. Selective collagen repair plus core changes can sustain youthful skin without deeper fat repairSep 21, 2026In aging human skin, the hypothesis adds selective collagen repair to shared core changes. The required repair mass M* and fraction f* are determined by independent fatigue calibration; preserved repeated-load and mature-wound performance without deeper fat restoration would support the claim.
  9. Delayed feedback causes microbial and inflammatory rebound during skin repairSep 21, 2026In skin models with overlapping injuries, delayed clearance reports can make resolution responses too strong and destabilize recovery. The hypothesis predicts that correcting delay or lowering response strength prevents rebound, with a fitted model predicting recovery in separate test wounds.
  10. Restored corpse clearance can worsen aged skin by removing recoverable living cellsSep 21, 2026In donor-matched organotypic skin, restoring macrophage corpse clearance may remove living cells needed for repair. Protecting recoverable basal keratinocytes must restore sealing through repeated challenges while leaving corpse clearance unchanged, and protected cells must survive and produce differentiated progeny.
  11. Scratch commands can renew skin inflammation without skin contactSep 21, 2026In aged animals, scratch movements without skin contact are predicted to renew inflammation through spinal signals. Muscle and nerve recordings, selective circuit interruption, and substance-P receptor blockade would test this route against inflammation that requires scratch contact.
  12. Do exposed collagen patches trigger cell contraction that reopens repaired attachments?Sep 21, 2026In an organotypic system with aged dermal fibroblasts, then donor-matched explants, clustered exposure of collagen signals would drive delayed reopening through cell contraction. Selective masking should prevent this; patterned presentation in mechanically intact tissue should recreate it.

Forecasts

What the forecasts expect here

  1. Will CAR-T get its first FDA approval for an autoimmune indication outside oncology, and when?17% yesby Nov 1, 2026
  2. Will laromestrocel (Longeveron) confirm its effect in a larger frailty trial beyond Phase 2b?20% yesby Nov 1, 2026