Key points from article :
Tolerance Bio, a Philadelphia-based biotech company, has launched with $17.2 million in seed funding to develop thymus-based therapies targeting immune diseases and promoting a longer, healthier lifespan. The thymus, a vital organ responsible for regulating immune tolerance, naturally declines as we age, leading to an increased risk of immune disorders. Tolerance Bio’s approach focuses on preserving, regenerating, and manipulating the thymus to combat these effects.
The company is developing an allogeneic cell therapy platform based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as well as pharmacological treatments to address thymic atrophy. This decline in thymic function, whether due to ageing, congenital defects, or damage from medical interventions, is linked to immune dysfunction and diseases. By restoring thymic function, Tolerance Bio aims to reverse these effects and improve the body’s immune response. This could not only help combat immune diseases but also extend a person’s healthy years.
The thymus is crucial in the development of T cells, which defend the body from infections and cancers while preventing autoimmunity. As the thymus shrinks over time, immune response weakens, making individuals more susceptible to disease. Tolerance Bio seeks to develop artificial thymuses from stem cells, offering targeted treatments for specific diseases through thymic organoids. Additionally, they are working on drugs to delay or prevent thymic decline, addressing both natural and accelerated atrophy.
The company's scientific platform is built on iPSC technologies developed through years of research. Tolerance Bio is joining a growing number of companies exploring thymus regeneration as a method to fight ageing and disease. With the recent funding, the company is set to advance its therapies toward clinical trials, with the goal of improving immune health and potentially extending human lifespan.
