Translating Aging Gene Therapies to Treat and Reverse Aging (Noah Davidsohn, Rejuvenate Bio)
Dr. Noah Davidsohn, co-founder and CSO of Rejuvenate Bio, discusses the company's innovative work using gene therapies to treat age-related diseases in dogs and humans. In his conversation with host Chris Patil, he explains his recent groundbreaking study showing that partial cellular reprogramming with Yamanaka factors extended lifespan and healthspan in very old mice. Noah then outlines Rejuvenate's clinical pipeline, including targeting longevity pathways like FGF-21 for heart disease and combining TGF-beta inhibition with klotho for osteoarthritis. By choosing secreted factors deliverable with liver-targeted gene therapy, Rejuvenate hopes to circumvent delivery challenges. Noah conveys an inspiring vision of adding healthy years to dogs' and humans' lives.
Key Topics Covered:
- Rejuvenate Bio's mission to reverse aging and age-related disease
- Lifespan doubling in old mice with cyclic Yamanaka factor induction
- Controllable gene therapy system for in vivo partial reprogramming
- Choice of FGF-21 for pleiotropic effects deliverable from liver
- Lead programs for arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy and mitral valve disease
- Advantages of treating age-related diseases first in dogs
- Combination gene therapy for osteoarthritis: TGF-beta and klotho
- Secreted proteins enable broad effects without broad delivery
- Vision of expanding healthspan by "squaring the curve"
- Potential to keep people healthy, active and productive to 100+