Sam Altman's longevity startup is testing a pill for a younger brain
11 hours ago
- #aging
- #longevity
- #biotech
- Retro Biosciences, backed by OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman, is a longevity startup aiming to reverse aging.
- The company plans to launch its first human clinical trial by the end of 2025 for a pill (RTR242) targeting Alzheimer's by reviving autophagy.
- Retro aims to add 10 extra healthy years to human lifespan, focusing on treatments that maintain health until the end of life.
- The company is also developing treatments for blood diseases (RTR890) and central nervous system diseases (RTR888) using stem cell technology.
- Retro's approach contrasts with traditional Alzheimer's drugs that slow cognitive decline by targeting amyloid plaques.
- The company is exploring both incremental and radical approaches to aging, including potential use of AI for cellular reprogramming.
- Retro has secured an initial $180 million investment and aims to raise $1 billion in its Series A funding.
- CEO Joe Betts-LaCroix emphasizes the significance of reversing aging rather than just slowing it down.