Unity Biotechnology is a publicly traded American biotechnology company that develops drugs that target
senescent cells
Cellular senescence is a phenomenon characterized by the cessation of cell division. In their experiments during the early 1960s, Leonard Hayflick and Paul Moorhead found that normal human fetal fibroblasts in culture reach a maximum of approxi ...
.
The company's products in development include UBX 1325, which targets
Bcl-xL
B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL), encoded by the BCL2-like 1 gene, is a transmembrane molecule in the mitochondria. It is a member of the Bcl-2 family of proteins, and acts as an anti-apoptotic protein by preventing the release of mitochondr ...
, a mechanism to eliminate senescent cells in age-related eye diseases (in Phase 1 clinical trials for
diabetic macular edema as of October 2020). In July 2022, the company reported positive results from its Phase 1 study. They also include UBX 1967, a preclinical product targeting
ophthalmologic
Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Following a medic ...
diseases.
Both products are
senolytic
A senolytic (from the words ''senescence'' and ''-lytic'', "destroying") is among a class of small molecules under basic research to determine if they can selectively induce death of senescent cells and improve health in humans. A goal of this re ...
medicines.
On May 3, 2018, the company went public on the Nasdaq exchange, raising $85 million at a market capitalization of $700 million.
Unity Biotechnology shares dropped 60% on August 17, 2020, after the company reported disappointing results from a clinical trial involving its lead drug candidate, UBX0101, in patients with moderate-to-severe painful osteoarthritis.
See also
*
Senolytic
A senolytic (from the words ''senescence'' and ''-lytic'', "destroying") is among a class of small molecules under basic research to determine if they can selectively induce death of senescent cells and improve health in humans. A goal of this re ...
s
*
Calico
Calico (; in British usage since 1505) is a heavy plain-woven textile made from unbleached, and often not fully processed, cotton. It may also contain unseparated husk parts. The fabric is far coarser than muslin, but less coarse and thick than ...
References
External links
Official website
Biotechnology companies of the United States
Pharmaceutical companies established in 2011
Biotechnology companies established in 2011
Companies based in South San Francisco, California
Brisbane, California
2018 initial public offerings
Companies listed on the Nasdaq
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