Longevity biotech to change into sector’s subsequent public firm because it seeks to develop an all-oral mixture remedy for weight problems.
The world of publicly traded longevity firms is about get one other participant with the information that age-targeting biotech BioAge Labs has filed for an preliminary public providing in the USA. The corporate, which leverages getting old biology to develop new therapies for metabolic illnesses, plans to be listed on the NASDAQ beneath the image BIOA.
Earlier this 12 months, BioAge raised a whopping $170 million Series D funding round earlier than commencing a Part 2 scientific trial of its lead candidate azelaprag together with Eli Lilly’s drug tirzepatide (Zepbound) for the remedy of weight problems in older adults. Then, two weeks in the past, the corporate’s appointment of former GSK CEO Jean-Pierre Garnier as Chair of its Board of Administrators, led to hypothesis that an IPO was imminent.
Assuming the IPO goes forward as deliberate, BioAge will be a part of the likes of AgeX Therapeutics, Life Biosciences, Longeveron, and Unity Biotechnology as considered one of a handful of publicly traded firms targeted on focusing on the biology of getting old.
“That is vastly thrilling information,” stated Longevity.Know-how Editor in Chief Phil Newman. “IPOs are coming again and I’m anticipating extra to come back from the longevity discipline – we’re simply in the beginning of the longevity biotech market.”
Monetary giants Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Jefferies and Citigroup are the underwriters for BioAge’s providing, demonstrating buyers’ ongoing curiosity in obesity-targeting therapies following the success of GLP-1 inhibitors like Ozempic and Wegovy.
“The success of GLP-1s seems to be creating its personal secondary market, with many firms already exploring alternatives on this space,” added Newman. “It’ll be attention-grabbing to see what number of different complementary therapies and approaches emerge within the coming months.”
One other high-profile longevity biotech, Fauna Bio, has additionally made latest strikes into weight problems, inking a $494 million collaboration with Lilly final 12 months.
“After BioAge, I count on that Fauna would be the subsequent longevity biotech IPO,” added Newman, noting a number of the firm’s recent activity on social media. “It’s attention-grabbing that these firms are forming important partnerships with Massive Pharma, however aren’t being purchased by them – it appears pharma firms are nonetheless hedging their bets just a little in relation to longevity.”
“Let’s not overlook, BioAge and Fauna are simply two examples. A number of longevity biotechs are coming into the clinic, they usually’ll all want funding firepower for Part 3 trials, whether or not by way of an IPO or pharma acquisition. BioAge is the beginning of the expansion development we’ve been ready for. It’s taking place.”
BioAge drug boosts GLP-1 results
BioAge’s azelaprag is an oral small molecule that acts as an apelin receptor agonist, designed to copy the metabolic advantages of train. The drug works by way of a brand new mechanism that enhances GLP-1 inhibitors like tirzepatide and semaglutide (Ozepmic/Wegovy), mimicking the consequences of a pure hormone launched throughout train and focusing on processes that assist burn fats whereas preserving muscle operate.
Earlier trials confirmed its potential in bettering muscle metabolism and preserving vitality expenditure in older volunteers. In preclinical research, azelaprag considerably enhanced the load loss results of incretin medication.
The continuing Phase 2 trial, which dosed its first affected person in July, is performed in collaboration with Lilly’s Refrain scientific growth group and can contain round 220 members. The first purpose is to measure weight reduction over 24 weeks, with further exploratory measures equivalent to physique composition and glycemic management. The trial will check two oral doses of azelaprag together with weekly tirzepatide injections, with top-line outcomes anticipated in late 2025.
“We consider combining azelaprag, an train mimetic, with tirzepatide, a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist that decreases meals consumption, may present a robust pharmacological parallel to the train and eating regimen interventions that type the inspiration of weight problems administration,” stated BioAge CEO Dr Kristen Fortney.
BioAge plans to launch a second Part 2 trial in 2025, investigating a mixture of azelaprag with semaglutide (Wegovy), as the corporate seeks to realize its purpose of creating an all-oral mixture remedy for weight problems. The corporate’s analysis pipeline additionally contains drug candidates focusing on neuroinflammation driver NLRP3.
