Rejuvenate Bio Raises Over $10M in Series A Funding for Gene Therapy Aging Treatment
San Diego-based startup Rejuvenate Bio announced today that it has raised over $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Kendall Capital Partners, a Boston-based firm focused on early-stage biotech companies. Additional investors in round include gene therapy pioneer Dr. Katherine High, V Capital, KdT Ventures, and Digitalis Ventures.
Rejuvenate Bio will use the funds to further develop its combination gene therapy that treats multiple age-related diseases concurrently to improve overall healthspan and quality of life.
“Kendall Capital Partners chose to invest in Rejuvenate Bio after reviewing the company’s strategy and its anti-aging therapy. We agree with the company’s strategy and have seen promising results. Rejuvenate has an exceptional team. I enjoy working with Dan, Noah, George and the SAB and we will continue to support the company.” David Zhu, Managing Partner, Kendall Capital Partners
“Rarely does an opportunity exist to monetize animal trials while conducting research for human trials and applications. The combination of talent on this leadership team represents VCapital’s belief that the jockey is as, if not more important as the horse in analyzing potential for success. We are delighted to work with Daniel Oliver, Dr. Davidsohn and Professor Church on their quest to improve both lifespan and health span” – Ryan Kole, Partner, VCapital
Launched from the lab of veteran genetics scientist and startup founder George Church at Harvard Medical School and the Wyss Institute at Harvard University in 2018, Rejuvenate Bio is using gene therapy, proprietary targets, and animal health to bring anti-aging therapies to market in an incredibly capital-efficient manner. After first demonstrating its efficacy in treating multiple age-related diseases in mice, the company’s first therapeutic target is the leading type of heart failure in dogs, mitral valve disease (MVD).
Certain dog breeds, such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are especially prone to MVD, with more than 80% of animals developing the incurable disease in their lifetime. Rejuvenate Bio partnered with the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club to launch a preclinical study in dogs with MVD in the fall of 2019. Results of that study will be used to inform future clinical trials in humans.
In addition to Church, who serves on its Scientific Advisory Board, Rejuvenate Bio’s co-founders include Noah Davidsohn, a synthetic biology expert and former Postdoctoral Fellow in Church’s lab at Harvard, and Daniel Oliver, a co-founder Voxel8 and former Blavatnik Fellow at Harvard Business School. Collectively, the co-founders are alumni of Caltech, MIT, Princeton, and Harvard Business School.
“We look forward to continuing to translate Rejuvenate Bio’s world-class science into therapies that improve the lives of the people and animals we love,”
said Dan Oliver, Rejuvenate Bio’s co- founder and CEO.
About Rejuvenate Bio
Rejuvenate Bio is creating a revolutionary approach to full age reversal. Aging is caused by the dysregulation of multiple systems in the body that manifest as age-related diseases. Current solutions focus on each problem individually, ignoring the interconnectedness of the challenge. Rejuvenate Bio utilizes gene therapy, proprietary targets, and the animal health market to bring anti-aging therapies to market in an incredibly capital-efficient manner. Rejuvenate Bio’s lead therapy has demonstrated the ability to treat heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes, and obesity in mice and has also been shown to be safe and effective in dogs.
About Kendall Capital Partners
Kendall Capital Partners invests in early stage companies that are incubated by scientific labs from top universities mainly in the Boston area, upholding the concept of “value creation” and the commitment to support entrepreneurs with our extensive network of resources. With a team of world class scientists, veteran investors and alumni from top universities, KCP continues to invest and support great entrepreneurs.
About VCapital
With an in-depth focus on research and exceptional due diligence and a 30-year track record, VCapital Management Co. identifies early-stage, institutional-quality venture capital opportunities with potential to grow, succeed, and deliver returns to investors. Operational support and active guidance are provided to entrepreneurs for increasing chances for a successful outcome. Of particular interest are technology, medical, and science-related deals where growth potential is greatest. Employing a concierge and flexible service structure for investors, the VCapital team acts as a guide to professional investment advisors and individuals who seek to add venture capital to diversify their portfolios, manage risk, and meet wealth management goals.