Dr. Matthew O'Connor, co-CEO of Underdog Pharmaceuticals, provides an in-depth look at the company’s latest advancements in developing a targeted therapy for ageing-related diseases. Underdog Pharmaceuticals, originally a spin-out of the SENS Research Foundation, is now pioneering innovative biotechnological approaches to address cardiovascular health by targeting harmful cholesterol.

Key Points:

Dr. O'Connor’s journey highlights the complex but rewarding path of advancing biotechnology through partnerships and innovation. Underdog Pharmaceuticals aims to make substantial strides in anti-ageing therapies, with potential human trials on the horizon.

• Underdog's Focus on Ageing Therapies: Building on his background with SENS Research Foundation, Dr. O'Connor explains how Underdog Pharmaceuticals focuses on removing 7-keto-cholesterol, a toxic byproduct that accumulates with age and contributes to cardiovascular disease. This approach aims to tackle one of the root causes of ageing-related conditions.
• Funding Milestones and Growth Strategy: The company’s initial $4 million seed round allowed it to establish a strong foundation. Currently raising an additional $8 million, Underdog aims to fund clinical trials scheduled to begin in early 2023, moving closer to an eventual FDA approval for human use.
• Global Partnerships and Team Dynamics: Despite a core team of just nine, Underdog has built extensive partnerships with global research entities, such as computational chemists and pharmaceutical manufacturers in Europe and Asia. These partnerships allow Underdog to leverage specialized expertise, which has been crucial for scaling their technology cost-effectively.
• Innovative Use of Cyclodextrins: The company’s drug platform employs cyclodextrins to target and remove oxidized cholesterol. Cyclodextrins, commonly used in various FDA-approved applications, provide a safe, adaptable scaffold for developing new therapies. Early testing shows promising safety data, with efficacy studies underway.
• Regulatory Advancements: In discussions with the UK’s MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency), Underdog received positive feedback on its safety data, helping streamline the clinical trial process. If all goes well, they plan to conduct trials with middle-aged, asymptomatic individuals to measure cholesterol plaque regression.
• Looking to the Future: Dr. O'Connor teases potential for the cyclodextrin platform beyond cholesterol management, with possible applications in broader ageing and disease prevention therapies. Advanced versions of their molecules are already showing significantly enhanced potency, positioning Underdog as a frontrunner in the emerging field of longevity medicine.