This article sorts out some of VitaDAO's past funding proposals based on the author's limited knowledge and medical background. Combined with the AI search system (tokenchat.ai) developed by AI Steam Labs for knowledge expansion.
Author: YL
Cover: Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
“Recommendation: This article sorts out some of VitaDAO’s past outstanding funding proposals based on the author’s limited knowledge and medical background. Combined with the AI search system (tokenchat.ai) developed by AI Steam Labs for knowledge expansion. To help you understand why VitaDAO is the leading project in the DeSci ecosystem, and to take a look at the disease areas that this investment DAO in life sciences is involved in.”
VDP-16: Korolchuk Lab - Autophagy Activator
VDP-16: Korolchuk Lab - Autophagy Activator
Brief: The VDP-16 project of the Korolchuk laboratory aims to discover new autophagy activators to combat aging and related diseases by screening natural compound libraries.
Overview: The VDP-16 project was proposed by the Korolchuk laboratory and aims to fight aging and related diseases by activating the autophagy pathway. Autophagy is a process by which cells clear damaged components, and its function weakens during aging. The project uses a cell model with Npc1 mutations to simulate lysosomal dysfunction, which leads to blockage of the terminal stage of autophagy, thereby affecting cell survival. The Korolchuk laboratory plans to use a unique library of natural compounds for screening and synthesize derivatives of these compounds to identify their biological targets. The project uses a high-throughput cell death-based screening system that can quickly identify true autophagy activators. The project team consists of Viktor Korolchuk, Jóhannes Reynisson and Konstantin Volcho, who have extensive experience in cell biology, drug discovery and organic chemistry.
Expanded understanding:
YL Comment: Immunity activation can be performed through hot spring alternating hot and cold therapy, which is usually popular for athletes to recover after training. The autophagy function of damaged cells is difficult to enhance by external forces, and the autophagy function will gradually weaken with aging. After the autophagy activator is transformed into an anti-aging health product, it has broad commercial prospects. All VITA holders are potential consumers.
VDP-17: Collaboration with Crowd Funded Cures (Redevelopment of Effective Generic Drugs)
VDP-17: CrowdFundedCures.org Collaboration
Brief: VitaDAO supports Crowd Funded Cures to conduct a feasibility study by providing $40,000.
Overview: The VDP-17 proposal aims to address the repositioning of generic drugs and nutritional supplements. This study aims to re-screen 20,000 FDA-approved generic drugs on the market, some of which have expired or are no longer maintained patents.
Expanded understanding:
YL Comment: Repurposing existing off-patent drugs can significantly reduce the cost and time of developing new drugs. The Crowd Funded Cures model enables these drugs to undergo clinical trials without the need for expensive patent protection, thus accelerating the time to market.
VDP-18 Jonathan An - Reversing Periodontal Disease Using the Science of Aging
VDP-18: Jonathan An - Reversing Periodontal Disease Using the Science of Aging
Brief: Up to $300,000 in funding was provided to Jonathan An's research project to investigate the possibility of reversing periodontitis in the elderly using genomic approaches.
Overview: The VDP-18 proposal is intended to fund Dr. Jonathan An's research, which aims to develop novel treatments for senile periodontitis by targeting small molecule inhibitors of the PI3K/NFkB/mTOR signaling pathway. The study is based on a paper published in eLife, which showed the positive effects of oral sodium rapamycin in treating senile periodontal osteoporosis in a mouse model. The research team plans to test 5 candidate drugs in an 8-week study and compare them with sodium rapamycin. If systemic treatment is effective, the study will further explore the local delivery of these drugs. In addition, the study will evaluate the effects of these drugs on neurodegeneration and cognitive function. The results of the study are expected to provide important preclinical intellectual property (IP) data for non-surgical treatments for periodontal disease and may promote the establishment of new companies.
Expanded understanding:
YL Comment: The global population is aging, and it is estimated that by 2050, the population aged 65 and above will reach 2 billion. This large elderly population has an increasing demand for health management, disease prevention and treatment, and the assets produced include clinical intellectual property (IP) data and possible drug delivery. Pfizer is the investor behind it and has no shortage of channels in the drug production process.
VDP-21 Discovery of new mitophagy activators with Evandro Fang
VDP-21 Discovery of new mitophagy activators with Evandro Fang
Brief: A research project led by Evandro Fang has been proposed to discover novel apoptosis activators to promote healthy brain age and extend lifespan. The project has been voted on and received funding support.
Overview: This research project uses artificial intelligence (Fang-AI) and laboratory validation platforms (including C. elegans, mice, and iPSCs) to rapidly identify new Alzheimer's disease (AD) drug candidates. Dr. Evandro Fang's research team was one of the first to propose the key role of defective apoptosis in the onset and progression of AD, and demonstrated that inducing apoptosis in multiple AD animal models can inhibit memory loss. The team established the Fang-AI laboratory validation platform and successfully screened two lead compounds as drug candidates for AD. The project plans to use Fang-AI and the laboratory validation platform to screen new apoptosis activators from the compound library of the Institute of Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) through WP1, and to perform AI structural modification and laboratory validation on two natural compounds, EFF-AA and EFF-BA, through WP2. The total cost of the project is expected to be between $2.5 million and $4 million, and DAO will own 100% of the project and related intellectual property rights.
Expanded understanding:
YL Comment: The biology of aging and Alzheimer’s disease are both unsolved mysteries, and any effective results in the journey are valuable assets for the future.
VDP-32 Hyperspectral Imager for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
VDP-32 Hyperspectral Imager for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
Brief: This proposal is to raise €30,000 to fund the development of a transistor camera technology by Mantis Photonics that is intended for early screening of Alzheimer's disease by detecting retinal amyloid beta peptide.
Overview: Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia worldwide and there is currently no simple way to diagnose it early. Mantis Photonics AB is developing a transistor camera for retinal imaging to enable early screening for Alzheimer's disease. The camera can be mounted on a conventional retinal imager and is expected to cost significantly less than existing products on the market, helping to drive widespread adoption. The project has been protected by two patents and has a peer-reviewed proof-of-concept study supporting its effectiveness.
Expanded understanding:
YL Comment: The biology of aging and Alzheimer’s disease are both unsolved mysteries, and any effective results in the journey are valuable assets for the future.
VDP-39 Funding Longevity Hacker Film
VDP-39 Funding Longevity Hacker Film
Brief: The VitaDAO community voted through Proposal VDP-39 to invest $100,000 in Michal Siewierski’s documentary Longevity Hackers to promote scientific research in the field of healthy lifespan and increase public awareness and interest in the field.
Overview: VDP-39 Request for Proposals provides up to $100,000 in funding for the documentary film Longevity Hackers, produced by director Michal Siewierski, which aims to promote research in the field of healthy lifespan and life extension and bring additional exposure to the industry to accelerate research in anti-aging drugs, treatments, and surgeries. VitaDAO's Community and Ideology Working Group has successfully raised awareness of healthy lifespan and life extension research through a variety of means, including online articles, journal club meetings on Clubhouse, Twitter space, and YouTube content. However, this awareness is mainly limited to people who are already interested in the aging field or Web3 space. This project aims to expand the visibility of the community and support the growth of the community and educational topics through investment in the film and expected financial returns. Longevity Hackers follows Emmy-nominated director Michal Siewierski as he explores the latest research and scientific breakthroughs in the field of aging and healthy lifespan. The film is produced by New Roots Films, an independent film company in Phoenix, USA, co-founded by Michal Siewierski and Ruben Figueres. Michal Siewierski is a documentary filmmaker and TV producer of international renown, while Ruben Figueres is an entrepreneur and media expert with more than two decades of experience in media, business and advertising. The film is a $2 million project, including promotion, distribution and high-quality production costs. So far, the project has received funding from LongevityTech.fund and other investors, and filming has begun in the past six months, which will shorten the time it takes to get the film to market and the time it takes for investors to start making money.
YL Comment: Film communication is still the mainstream method adopted by the general public. Although time passes, the films can be preserved for future generations to dig up!
VDP-46 Repair Biotechnologies
VDP-46 Repair Biotechnologies
Brief: Repair Biotechnologies is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company developing a universal cell therapy for the treatment of atherosclerosis, aiming to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and improve the efficacy of existing drug treatments.
Overview: The company is focused on developing a new type of atherosclerosis therapy by modifying cells to safely break down excess cholesterol. The therapy is based on universal cells and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and improve the effectiveness of existing drug treatments. The company's technology has achieved encouraging results in cell lines and mouse models, and is currently working to complete the development of candidate therapies and seek approval for clinical trials. Repair Biotechnologies' treatment is based on enhanced macrophages that are able to break down cholesterol and is expected to be applied to other cell types and disease indications. Since its inception, the company has raised more than $2.7 million in funding and is in the process of raising a new round of financing to fund preclinical research and clinical trials. The proposal was scientifically and commercially evaluated by the Longevity-Dealflow Working Group and supported by a decentralized vote of VITA token holders.
Expanded understanding:
YL: According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Therefore, the demand for effective treatment options for atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia will continue to grow.
VDP-85 HDAX Treatment
VDP-85 HDAX Treatment
Brief: HDAX Therapeutics is a preclinical drug discovery company focused on developing novel small molecule drugs for the treatment of neuropathology and inflammation. Its HDAC6 inhibitors have higher blood-brain barrier penetration and lower toxicity.
Overview: HDAX Therapeutics is a preclinical drug discovery company based at the University of Toronto, focused on developing treatments for pathologies caused by histone deacetylases (HDACs), such as neuropathy and inflammation. The company's primary R&D target is HDAC6, the inhibition of which has shown the potential to extend lifespan in animal models. HDAX designs novel small molecule drugs with excellent selectivity and potential through its unique dual-coordinated binding mechanism, which are able to overcome the shortcomings of traditional HDAC6 inhibitors, such as weak binding, non-specific toxicity and poor pharmacokinetic properties. HDAX's lead drug candidate has demonstrated good brain blood-brain barrier penetration and safety in mouse models.
HDAX is comprised of a team of experienced scientists and entrepreneurs with strong backgrounds in drug discovery and entrepreneurship. The company was founded in the laboratory of Professor Patrick Gunning, a renowned chemistry professor and serial entrepreneur. HDAX has won multiple startup competitions, raised over $340,000 in funding, and has patented its lead compound.
Expanded understanding:
YL: To put it simply, this field addresses the painful symptoms of chemotherapy in cancer patients that we are familiar with, as well as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, heart disease, etc.
VDP-89 ExcepGen Inc - RNA Therapeutics for Longevity
VDP-89 ExcepGenInc - RNA Therapeutics for Longevity
Brief: ExcepGen Inc is developing an RNA therapeutic platform called RNAx, which aims to improve the effectiveness of RNA vaccines by optimizing RNA delivery and regulating cell signaling, especially against difficult-to-target antigens such as universal influenza virus.
Overview: ExcepGen Inc uses its innovative RNAx platform to develop a new generation of vaccines and therapeutics by improving RNA drug delivery and cell signaling regulation. RNAx technology can produce a regulatory protein that improves the expression efficiency of RNA payloads by slowing down signaling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm, reducing stress and endogenous immune signals. The company is applying this technology to produce RNA vaccines against difficult-to-treat antigens such as influenza virus.
ExcepGen has demonstrated the effectiveness of its RNAx platform in experiments, including significantly increasing cargo RNA expression in mice and human BJ cells, while reducing or eliminating the release of harmful inflammatory factors. The company is focusing on developing a universal whole spore influenza vaccine and plans to expand its product line to include vaccines, protein replacement and gene editing.
ExcepGen's team has a strong technical background, educated at Oxford University and founded the company to bring reliability to genetic medicines. The company is raising funds, including $100,000 allocated to the VitaDAO community to fund laboratory research, scientific operations and laboratory immunogenicity studies in animals.
Expanded understanding:
YL: The highlight of this universal influenza vaccine is that in addition to being used in scenarios where influenza is contracted, it can also be used for preventive purposes, such as regulating immune responses.
VDP-112 Cyclarity - A novel cyclodextrin molecule for multiple age-related diseases
VDP-112 Cyclarity - A novel cyclodextrin molecule for multiple aging-related diseases
Brief: Cyclarity Therapeutics is a start-up biotechnology company that is developing a novel cyclodextrin capsule drug based on computational design, aimed at extracting harmful biomolecules such as oxidized cholesterol that accumulate in the body, especially in cardiovascular disease.
Overview: Cyclarity Therapeutics (CTx) is developing a cyclodextrin encapsulated drug that can extract harmful biomolecules accumulated during aging from cells and tissues. Their primary drug target is oxidized cholesterol, especially 7-ketocholesterol (7KC), which is an important factor in many age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cataracts, stroke and cirrhosis. CTx is also developing a computational platform that combines artificial intelligence and machine learning to design new cyclodextrin molecules against any target. Their drug candidate UDP-003 is able to reverse bullous cell formation in humans and restore their phagocytic function by efficiently binding to 7KC. Pharmacodynamic studies of UDP-003 have shown that it has a short half-life and high bioavailability. Currently, CTx is preparing for Phase I clinical trials and plans to conduct Phase II clinical trials to evaluate the overall effect of its drug strategy. CTx has completed drug production under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and is conducting general toxicology studies under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). They have completed a $3.95 million seed round and are raising $3-4 million in bridge financing to prepare for and start Phase I clinical trials. CTx's team includes scientists and managers with extensive R&D experience.
Expanded understanding:
YL: "One pill cures a hundred diseases", UDP-003 can be applied to AMD, NAFLD, Alzheimer's disease, COPD and many other diseases. AMD mainly affects vision, especially in the elderly. NAFLD is a disease associated with fatty liver, often associated with metabolic syndrome. COPD is a chronic lung disease that mainly affects respiratory function and is often related to smoking.
VDP-120 Oisín Biotechnologies - Gene medicines for health and longevity
VDP-120 Oisín Biotechnologies - Gene medicines for health and longevity
Brief: Oisín Biotechnologies is a company focused on developing genetic medicine solutions to treat age-related diseases. Its technology platform, Fusogenix Proteo-Lipid Vehicle (PLV), can effectively deliver specific DNA and RNA to treat age-related diseases such as muscle atrophy.
Overview: Oisín Biotechnologies is a company dedicated to developing genetic medicine therapies to address aging and related diseases. Its main goal is to enhance the physical strength of the elderly by improving muscle mass, thereby preventing and treating age-related diseases such as muscle atrophy. The company's technology platform Fusogenix PLV enables the safe and cost-effective delivery of specific genetic material, and has demonstrated its potential in selectively eliminating fat cells and gaining insight into cells in animal and human tissue experiments. Oisín's research results show that a single treatment can significantly increase muscle size and body strength. In addition, the company has conducted high-dose tolerability studies in non-human primates, and its PLV platform has been validated for safety in a Phase II human clinical trial of a COVID vaccine.
The opportunity for Oisín is huge, as the growth of the global aging population leads to an expected increase in age-related diseases. The company's Follistatin gene therapy is believed to be effective in treating muscle wasting and has the potential to extend life span. Oisín has extensive intellectual property, including exclusive rights to the Fusogenix PLV patent portfolio and multiple patents related to its specific cargo and therapeutic applications. The company is seeking funding to advance its research and has reserved a SAFE investment of 50k for the VitaDAO community to promote cooperation between the two parties. Oisín's budget plan shows that its total expenditure on R&D, staff salaries, consulting, laboratory rental and insurance, legal and intellectual property rights is nearly $4.6 million.
Oisín's team consists of veteran biotech industry leaders, including CEO and founder Matthew Scholz, who has many years of experience starting and managing biotech companies, and other executives and advisors with extensive research and development experience.
Expanded understanding:
YL: The currently known ways to gain muscle are diet and exercise. Oisín uses biotechnology to stimulate muscle growth without relying on traditional exercise. The highlight is that it helps people with disabilities and patients with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes who face muscle loss during treatment.
VDP-126 [Funding] Remedium Bio
VDP-126 [Funding] Remedium Bio
Brief: Remedium Bio is a regenerative medicine biotechnology company that has developed Prometheus™, the only gene therapy platform technology with adjustable doses.
Overview: Remedium Bio focuses on age-related diseases and large unmet clinical needs. Its leading product is a regenerative gene therapy for osteoarthritis, which can increase the expression of fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) through a single injection, thereby promoting the formation and maintenance of a healthy Cartesian idge. The Prometheus™ platform overcomes the limitations of current gene therapy technology and provides an adjustable dose treatment regimen that can be used as a single injection to replace multiple intramuscular injections, significantly reducing treatment costs. In addition, Remedium Bio is also developing a single injection therapy for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes, which has shown the same efficacy as daily injections of Exenatide in animal models, while reducing drug-related side effects. The company is raising $15 million in Series A financing to bring three key assets to the clinical trial stage, and has already entered the clinical efficacy verification stage through initial financing. Remedium Bio has an experienced team and strong intellectual property protection, and its technology and products are expected to have a significant impact in multiple fields, including arthritis, diabetes, obesity and other anti-aging treatments.
Expanded understanding:
YL: Arthritis, diabetes, obesity, etc. are some of the epidemic diseases with a wide range of applications.
Conclusion:
The above was first sorted out in the Mirror draft box of DeSci.money on December 19, 2023. It was reorganized and sent out today. I hope it will be helpful for your DeSci investment journey, DYOR!
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