Key points from article :
Juvenescence, a UK-based biotech focused on extending healthy human lifespan, has recently secured $76 million in a Series B-1 funding round, with plans to raise at least $75 million more soon. This marks their first equity funding since before the COVID-19 pandemic, and notably, they maintained the same valuation as in 2019—a rare achievement in today’s challenging biotech investment climate. The company, founded in 2017, is part of a growing group of startups targeting age-related diseases through drug development, aiming to prevent and treat conditions that typically worsen with ageing.
Led by CEO Richard Marshall, who joined in early 2023 after a senior role at AstraZeneca, Juvenescence is advancing several promising drug candidates. These include a PAI-1 inhibitor in Phase 1 trials designed to combat fibrosis, a major driver of organ damage; a GDF-15 monoclonal antibody aimed at muscle wasting and chronic inflammatory diseases, set to enter human studies within a year; and a CD38 inhibitor, developed with the Buck Institute, that may help reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The company plans to license its drugs to pharmaceutical partners before late-stage trials and is preparing for an eventual IPO when clinical data matures.
In addition to expanding its pipeline, Juvenescence is growing geographically. The company recently partnered with Abu Dhabi-based M42, a major tech and healthcare investor, helping Juvenescence establish a presence in the UAE—a region rapidly developing its life sciences infrastructure. With offices soon opening in Abu Dhabi alongside existing bases in London and Boston, Juvenescence plans to double its 25-strong team over the next year as its projects progress toward human trials. This strategic expansion positions Juvenescence at the forefront of efforts to extend healthy lifespan through innovative therapies.
