NorthStrive Biosciences has executed a First Amendment to its Development and License Agreement with Yuva Biosciences to launch a three-phase Expansion Program that will advance four AI-discovered small-molecule compounds toward lead nomination for potential cardiac disease and obesity therapeutics.
The Expansion Program is structured to take approximately six months and builds on positive Phase III in vitro results announced 1 July 2026 in which the four candidates selected by Yuva’s MitoNova platform demonstrated statistically significant increases in ANT1 in primary human skeletal muscle cells.
Expansion Phase I will establish a qualified assay and standard operating procedure; Phase II will confirm ANT1 induction in a more mature muscle model and produce ranked go/no-go data; and Phase III will profile lead candidates against a mitochondrial biogenesis panel, quantify cellular ATP output, and deliver an integrated mechanism-of-action hypothesis ahead of lead nomination.
The Amendment clarifies and strengthens NorthStrive’s exclusive field of use for Cardiac Diseases and Obesity and grants a right of first refusal to negotiate an exclusive cardiometabolic license during the term and for one year after Phase III, positioning NorthStrive to pursue broader cardiometabolic opportunities, according to research.
Yuva is expected to commence Phase I and the company plans to provide updates at key milestones.
