In this episode of Beyond Biotech, host Jim Cornell speaks with Dr. Mark Kotter, neurosurgeon and founder of bit.bio and Clock.bio, about how stem cell science could help combat aging and age-related diseases. Kotter explains how his medical background in spinal cord injuries inspired his interest in regenerative medicine and how both companies are working to harness the body’s natural repair mechanisms to maintain cellular health and extend healthspan, rather than simply focusing on longevity.

Key points:

Dr. Mark Kotter envisions a future where regenerative medicine helps maintain cellular youth and prevent disease, shifting the focus from extending lifespan to enhancing healthspan. Through Clock.bio, his work seeks to decode the biology of repair and rejuvenation, paving the way for affordable, science-driven anti-aging therapies.

• Origins and focus: Clock.bio was founded to explore how stem cells can be used to rejuvenate cells and repair age-related damage, complementing bit.bio’s work in creating specific human cell types for therapy.
• The science of youth: Kotter describes youth as a cellular state of “perfect repair,” where cells efficiently fix accumulated damage — an ability that diminishes with aging.
• Stem cells as the key: His team has discovered that even stem cells can exhibit aging hallmarks under certain stress conditions, but they can also revert to a youthful state, revealing powerful natural repair mechanisms.
• Drug discovery and applications: Clock.bio is screening thousands of genes to find repair pathways that could be targeted by small, safe, and affordable drugs — ideally repurposed ones — to extend healthspan and treat age-related diseases.
• Ethics and accessibility: Kotter emphasizes democratizing access to rejuvenation therapies, ensuring that breakthroughs in stem cell biology benefit all, not just the wealthy.