Global online DAO approves launch and financing of MatrixBio to optimal drug candidates for age-related diseases.
VitaDAO, the global online community driving early-stage longevity research through innovative funding collaborations has announced the launch of its very first biotech company – Matrix Biosciences. This significant milestone comes from a community-wide vote and approval in favor of a collaboration with Vera Gorbunova, PhD, Co-Chair of the University of Rochester’s Aging Research Center.
Longevity.Technology: VitaDAO is focused on being the most efficient allocator of resources in aging and longevity research. With its democratized approach, the community-owned collective leverages the talent of its academic community in order to drive transformative advancements in aging diseases and longevity research.
The community decision to launch Matrix Biosciences marks a significant step forward for VitaDAO as it advances its early portfolio assets toward its next development milestones. The organization confirmed that the first tranche of $300,000 from VitaDAO will be followed by further funding through IP-NFT fractionalization in early 2024.
This essential support will facilitate the commencement of preclinical studies aimed at testing novel hyaluronic acid-based compounds. Leveraging its research, Matrix Biosciences aims to pinpoint an optimal drug candidate for the treatment of cancer and aging diseases.
Matrix Bio is focused on the development of high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) therapeutics for cancer and aging-related disease. The company’s pipeline is based on the observation that naked mole rats, long-lived rodents, have a lifespan of up to 40 years, compared with normal rats which live about 3 years. These rodents are found to be cancer resistant which is controlled by an abundance of HMW-HA in their tissues. Research has demonstrated that transgenic mice expressing naked mole rat hyaluronan synthase gene (NHAS2) have fewer tumors, improved health and live 10% longer than rats without the transgene. The biotech is developing a class of small molecules that modulate hyaluronidases for potential applications in cancer and increasing human healthspan and lifespan.
“I am looking forward to beginning this partnership with VitaDAO,” said Dr Gorbunova. “The funding and support from the VitaDAO community will bring Matrix Biosciences one step closer to delivering groundbreaking treatments that will significantly improve outcomes for our vulnerable aging patient population.
“While this is a first step for Matrix Biosciences, it is only the beginning of the transformative impact these treatments can have on the lives of individuals suffering from cancer and aging-related disorders.”
Anthony Schwartz, PhD, from VitaDAO added, “Matrix Biosciences is navigating a complex development pathway commonly encountered by many early-stage companies during the initial stages of drug discovery. Thanks to the collective drug development experience from VitaDAO’s online community and the collaborative nature and expertise of Dr Gorbunova and the Matrix Biosciences team, we now have a well-designed development strategy in an area that has traditionally lacked the know-how or an established path.
“We are pleased with the early data generated thus far and its potential for advancing into clinical trials. On behalf of the community, VitaDAO is excited to embark on this journey with the Matrix Biosciences team.”
