Backers included Arch Venture Partners, Baillie Gifford, Fidelity Management and Research Company, Partner Fund Management, Venrock, Bezos Expeditions (the investment vehicle of Jeff Bezos), WuXi PharmaTech and Mayo Clinic Ventures. In conjunction with the funding, the company has named Keith Leonard, a 25-year biotech industry veteran and current executive chairman, as CEO. Founder and previous CEO Nathaniel “Ned” David, Ph.D., will become the company’s president focusing on further developing the biology platform.
The company intends to use the funds to expand ongoing research programs in cellular senescence and advance the first preclinical programs into human trials.
Co-founded by Judith Campisi, Ph.D., and Jan van Deursen, Ph.D., Unity Biotechnology is developing therapeutics that aim to prevent, halt or reverse diseases of aging. The initial focus of the company is on creating senolytic medicines to selectively eliminate senescent cells and thereby treat age-related afflictions such as osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, eye diseases, and kidney disease.
FinSMEs
28/10/2016