Klothea Bio launches to research and develop therapeutics for age-related diseases based on klotho protein.
Longevity biotech Advantage Therapeutics has announced the launch of Klothea Bio, a subsidiary company focused on advancing the development of therapies centered on the klotho protein. Klotho plays a pivotal role in maintaining health through mechanisms such as regulating phosphate homeostasis, suppressing oxidative stress and reducing inflammation associated with cellular aging. It also has protective effects on the cardiovascular system and brain function.
Research has demonstrated that mice deficient in klotho experience accelerated aging and shortened lifespan, while those with increased expression exhibit extended healthspan and lifespan. Despite its critical functions, Klotho levels naturally decline with age, a phenomenon linked to various conditions including cognitive decline, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, cardiovascular issues and an increased risk of cancer.
“Klotho is a protein possessing multiple beneficial and unique pleotropic functions by protecting organs against inflammation, oxidative stress, tumor growth, while its absence leads to age-related diseases and early death,” said Advantage Therapeutics’ CSO, Dr Carmela Abraham, who has studied and worked on Klotho for more than 20 years.
To address the challenges posed by declining Klotho levels, Klothea Bio is leveraging an mRNA-based approach that aims to enhance the body’s natural production of the protein to achieve sustained therapeutic effects. The company’s initial studies will target metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are often precursors to more severe aging-related diseases. Following these studies, the scope of Klothea’s research is expected to expand to include conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other age-associated conditions.
“As we embark on this exciting journey, we expect to demonstrate that our mRNA therapy will increase significantly the levels of Klotho to those found in young and healthy individuals and will offer the potential for longer-lasting therapeutic effects which may delay or prevent certain age-related diseases,” said Jeffrey Madden, Chairman of Klothea Bio.
The formation of Klothea Bio is backed with seed funding led by Longevitytech.fund (LTF), a venture capital fund that specializes in biotechnology aimed at extending healthy human lifespan.
LTF’s managing partner Petr Sramek said that Klotho is a “critical protein in a molecular pathway to enhance human health and longevity. By supporting Klothea Bio, we aim to enable pioneering science that holds the promise of reducing the burden of age-associated diseases.”
Klothea’s parent company Advantage Therapeutics is primarily focused on developing therapies aimed at modifying the course of Alzheimer’s disease. Its lead compound, AD04, operates as an immunomodulator, aiming to stimulate and regulate the immune system to address Alzheimer’s pathology comprehensively. The company says that its early studies have shown that AD04 slows cognitive decline, preserves hippocampal volume and exhibits disease-modifying effects, with Phase 2b clinical trials planned in Europe and the UK.
