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Aging cells: Sisters' drug targets death, not immortality
8 Apr
Summary
- A new drug aims to improve quality of life by stopping cell necrosis.
- The drug works by blocking calcium overload in cells.
- Clinical trials are being prepared for kidney disease and acute kidney injury.
The profound loss of their grandmother inspired Dr. Carina Kern and her sister, Serena Kern-Libera, to confront the aging process. Their Cambridge-based company, LinkGevity, believes it has achieved a significant breakthrough in combating cell necrosis, a primary driver of age-related decline and disease.
Unlike pursuits of immortality, LinkGevity's focus is on enhancing the quality and length of life. They have developed a novel drug, LINK-001, designed to prevent cell death caused by necrosis. This process, where cells are damaged and rupture, can initiate widespread inflammation and contribute to serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's, and aggressive cancers.
Independent verification by Domainex has shown remarkable efficacy, with cell death blocked for extended periods. This promising research has garnered support from Innovate UK, The Francis Crick Institute, and NASA, with potential applications in space exploration. LinkGevity is now preparing for human clinical trials, initially targeting kidney disease and acute kidney injury, areas with significant unmet medical needs.
Beyond immediate health benefits, the drug could revolutionize medical research. Preventing necrosis might enable the successful growth of complex human tissues in labs, improve organ transplantation, and reduce the reliance on animal testing. The sisters believe this approach offers a vital intervention against the health deterioration associated with an aging population.
