In this episode of Translating Aging, host Chris Patil speaks with Dr. Janine Sengstack, Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder of Junevity. The conversation explores Junevity’s pioneering approach to extending healthspan and lifespan through "cell reset therapeutics"—a strategy developed from Dr. Sengstack’s PhD research. 

Key Points:

Junevity is at the forefront of developing a new class of longevity therapeutics. By resetting aged and diseased cells at the transcriptional level, their platform offers hope for treating complex chronic conditions and helping people live longer, healthier lives.

• Reprogramming Ageing Cells: Junevity’s “cell reset platform” identifies and targets transcription factors that drive ageing in cells. Using siRNA therapies, they reverse age-related gene expression to rejuvenate cells while preserving their identity.
• AI-Powered Discovery: The platform combines large-scale human and animal genomic data with AI and machine learning to map regulatory networks and discover new therapeutic targets, accelerating the drug discovery process.
• Therapeutics in Development: Junevity is advancing siRNA-based therapies for type 2 diabetes and obesity, with promising preclinical results. Other targets include sarcopenia and osteoarthritis—conditions strongly linked to ageing and transcriptional dysregulation.
• Validating the Reset: Experimental validation includes RNA sequencing and metabolic testing. Treated cells show hallmark improvements: reduced inflammation, improved mitochondrial function, and restored gene profiles, indicating true biological rejuvenation.
• Looking Ahead to Clinical Trials: With $10 million in seed funding and a seasoned biotech leadership team, Junevity aims to enter clinical trials by 2026. The company is also pursuing partnerships to apply its platform across a broader range of ageing-related diseases.