Unity Biotechnology is an anti-aging company dedicated to extending the period of life spent in good health by developing new therapies for age-related diseases targeting cellular senescence. By focusing on this root cause of aging they aim to create therapies that not only treat symptoms but also address the underlying issues driving age-related diseases.
The following is the company’s official mission statement:
At UNITY we are developing therapeutics to slow, halt, or reverse diseases of aging.
Feel welcome to share your own thoughts on this company in the comment section below as well. I will be happy to discuss and learn more about how you see their potential in this field.
The Solution
Unity Biotechnology is advancing a pipeline of therapies designed to address various age-related conditions by targeting senescent cells. This strategy involves developing senolytic therapies, which are medicines designed to selectively eliminate senescent cells. They already have their leading programs in clinical trials.
Why target senescent cells
Senescence occurs when cells stop dividing and accumulate in the body, contributing to inflammation and tissue damage. These senescent cells are linked to many age-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis, eye diseases, and fibrotic diseases. By focusing on removing these problematic cells, Unity Biotechnology aims to create treatments that can significantly improve healthspan, the period of life spent free from serious disease.
The pipeline
The following is their official pipeline:
Let’s take a closer look at the pipeline candidates.
UBX1325: Addressing Vision Loss in Older Adults
UBX1325 is a promising therapeutic candidate aimed at two major causes of vision loss in older adults: diabetic macular edema (DME) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Both conditions involve the degeneration of retinal tissues, leading to severe vision impairment and even blindness.
UBX1325 is designed to selectively eliminate senescent cells in the retina. These cells contribute to inflammation and vascular damage, exacerbating conditions like DME and AMD. UBX1325 inhibits Bcl-xL, a protein that helps senescent cells survive, thereby promoting their removal. This approach aims to restore vascular integrity and reduce inflammation, potentially reversing disease progression.
UBX1325 has shown promising results in early-phase clinical trials, and two phase 2 trials named BEHOLD and ENVISION have already been completed. The drug demonstrated significant improvements in visual acuity in patients with DME. Ongoing studies include the Phase 2b ASPIRE trial, which is evaluating UBX1325 against aflibercept, a standard treatment for DME.
You can find the clinical trials here:
- ASPIRE: Recently completed phase 2b study evaluating the safety and efficacy of multiple doses of UBX1325 in patients with diabetic macular edema (NCT06011798)
- BEHOLD: Completed phase 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of UBX1325 in patients with diabetic macular edema (NCT04857996)
- ENVISION: Completed phase 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of UBX1325 in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (NCT05275205)
Additional Ophthalmologic Therapies
Unity Biotechnology is also exploring other therapies targeting retinal diseases:
- Tie2/VEGF Bispecific Molecule: This therapy aims to enhance vascular stability and prevent abnormal blood vessel formation by targeting both the Tie2 and VEGF pathways, which are crucial in diseases like DME and AMD.
- Tie2 Agonistic Antibody: This experimental therapy is designed to activate the Tie2 pathway, which could improve vascular integrity and reduce disease symptoms in various retinal conditions
The Company
Unity Biotechnology, Inc. was founded in 2011, and is headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA. The company was co-founded by Dr. Nathaniel David, Dr. Jan van Deursen, Dr. Judith Campisi, and Dr. Daohong Zhou, all prominent figures in the fields of biochemistry, genetics, and cellular biology. The company is led by CEO Dr. Anirvan Ghosh.
Following the recent ASPIRE phase2b clinical trial results Unity Biotechnology has announced plans for layoffs and exploration of alternative strategies moving forward in order to reduce operational cash burn. While we have no confirmation about the extend of these initiatives yet, it is of course unfortunate news.
In terms of funding the company has been listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange since May 2018. It is registered with the ticker NASDAQ:UBX. Prior to the IPO of the company they raised $116 million in its Series B funding round in 2016, with investments from ARCH Venture Partners, Venrock, and Fidelity Management & Research Company. Notably, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos also invested in the company through Bezos Expeditions.
Although, it appears the there was a post-IPO debt funding round in November of 2023. Without further public information it is difficult to assess the situation, and if there is a potential negative impact from this. If we take a look at the stock market development of the company it looks quite grim as well, and it would appear that investors do not have confidence in the future prospects of the company. However, I think we can remain optimistic and hopeful that the clinical trials for some of their drug candidates will continue, and that the potential of a successful drug candidate may help further their progress.
Read about more anti-aging companies on this website through this link.
