UNITY Biotechnology, Inc. and UCSF Enter Exclusive License Agreement on alpha-Klotho Protein for the Treatment of Age-Related Cognitive Decline
UNITY Biotechnology, Inc. and UCSF Enter Exclusive License Agreement on alpha-Klotho Protein for the Treatment of Age-Related Cognitive Decline
May 29, 2019
The alpha-Klotho protein was initially identified in mice as an “aging-suppressor” that accelerates aging when the gene encoding it is disrupted, and slows aging when the alpha-Klotho protein is over-produced. In a 2017 report,
“Aging is the biggest risk factor for developing cognitive disorders. If we can understand the underlying issue - how we age – and develop treatment options to enhance cognitive function, we have the potential to help our brains stay healthier and more resilient throughout our lifetimes,” said Dr. Dubal.
“Circulating levels of alpha-Klotho protein gradually decline as we age,” said Nathaniel David, president of
Under the license agreement, UNITY gains worldwide, exclusive rights to UCSF’s intellectual property relating to the use of alpha-Klotho protein, including a recently issued patent covering methods of using the alpha-Klotho protein and variants to reverse or prevent cognitive decline. The negotiations were led by the Technology Management team in the
About
UNITY is developing therapeutics to extend healthspan by slowing, halting or reversing diseases of aging. UNITY's initial focus is on creating senolytic medicines to selectively eliminate senescent cells and thereby treat age-related diseases, such as osteoarthritis, eye diseases and pulmonary diseases. More information is available at www.unitybiotechnology.com, or follow us on Twitter.
About UCSF
UNITY Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements related to the effects of alpha-Klotho protein on aging and cognitive decline and our potential to develop and bring multiple medicines, including alpha-Klotho based products, to market to impact aging and extend human healthspan. Such forward-looking statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause UNITY’s research and clinical development programs, future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, including UNITY’s early stage of development and its understanding of senescence biology and other biological mechanisms implicated in diseases of aging, such as the alpha-Klotho protein, the clinical trial enrollment process, the regulatory approval processes, the timing of regulatory filings, the challenges associated with manufacturing drug products, UNITY’s ability to successfully protect and defend its intellectual property, and other matters that could affect the sufficiency of existing cash to fund operations and the availability or commercial potential of UNITY’s product candidates. UNITY undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of the Company in general, see UNITY’s most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
UNITY Biotechnology, Inc. InvestorsPeter Rahmer Endurance Advisors prahmer@enduranceadvisros.com MediaCanale Communications Jason Spark jason@canalecomm.com UCSF MediaLaura Kurtzman Senior Public Information Officer 1-415-476-3163 laura.kurtzman@ucsf.edu
Source: Unity Biotechnology, Inc.