Introduction
This episode of "Translating Aging," hosted by Chris Patil, features an in-depth conversation with Marcus Gstöttner, CEO of Clock.bio. Clock.bio is at the forefront of efforts to extend healthspan by leveraging the biology of aging. Marcus brings a unique background, transitioning from a career in government to becoming a leader in biotech. This episode delves into the science behind rejuvenation, Clock.bio's innovative approaches, and their mission to decode the potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to enhance human health.
Key Takeaways
- Clock.bio aims to extend healthspan by utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study aging and rejuvenation.
- Marcus Gstöttner transitioned from government work to biotech, driven by a passion for science and innovation.
- The company has developed a method to force iPSCs to age and then spontaneously reverse that aging, aiming to unlock insights into combating age-related diseases.
- Clock.bio is using CRISPR technology to identify the genes that regulate rejuvenation, creating an "Atlas of Rejuvenation Factors."
- They recently raised $5.4 million in seed funding, which will support ongoing research and validation efforts.
Key Points
Marcus Gstöttner's Journey to Biotech
Marcus Gstöttner's career path is anything but typical for a biotech CEO. He began his journey studying at Oxford and the London School of Economics before spending over a decade working in various capacities within the Austrian government, including as an economic advisor and chief of staff to three chancellors. This experience gave him a solid foundation in public service, but his interest in science and entrepreneurship eventually led him to biotech.
After leaving his government role, Marcus co-founded a cultured meat company called Meatable, inspired by early podcasts on the emerging field. His passion for innovation and his entrepreneurial spirit ultimately brought him to Clock.bio, where he aims to leverage scientific advances to improve healthspan and quality of life. His unique background enables him to blend public policy insights with scientific innovation, positioning Clock.bio to make significant contributions to the longevity field.
The Science Behind Clock.bio
Clock.bio's mission is to extend healthspan by manipulating the biology of aging. The company focuses on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which have the unique ability to transform into different cell types and resist aging. Marcus explains that these cells, when induced to age, accumulate the hallmarks of aging, such as mitochondrial dysfunction and genomic instability. However, Clock.bio has found a way to force these iPSCs to age and then spontaneously reverse that aging process.
This process allows Clock.bio to study how aging occurs at the cellular level and, more importantly, how it can be reversed. By understanding these mechanisms, Clock.bio aims to translate these findings into therapeutic applications that could potentially mitigate the effects of age-related diseases. Marcus describes their work as attempting to "decode the biology of aging" to find practical interventions for extending healthspan.
CRISPR and the Atlas of Rejuvenation Factors
To better understand the mechanisms of rejuvenation, Clock.bio has embarked on an ambitious project involving genome-wide CRISPR screening. The goal is to identify which genes are involved in the rejuvenation process, both promoting and inhibiting it. Marcus describes how they systematically used CRISPR to knock out or activate thousands of genes in iPSCs, analyzing how these changes affected the cells' ability to rejuvenate.
This effort has resulted in what they call the "Atlas of Rejuvenation Factors"—a comprehensive map of over 150 genes that appear to regulate rejuvenation in iPSCs. The team used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze millions of cells, generating a wealth of data that could provide new insights into combating age-related diseases. Marcus emphasized that while they have made significant progress, the next step is to validate these findings and explore their applicability to human somatic cells, with the hope of eventually developing therapies.
Seed Funding and Next Steps
Recently, Clock.bio raised $5.4 million in seed funding, led by LocoClova and other venture capital partners. This funding will support the ongoing validation and prioritization of the genes identified in their Atlas of Rejuvenation Factors. Marcus explained that they plan to conduct additional CRISPR screens to refine their list of candidate genes and to work with primary donor cells to validate their findings in a more clinically relevant context.
The team at Clock.bio, though small, is highly focused and efficient, consisting of key members like the CTO, lead scientists, and bioinformatics experts. Their goal is to validate the rejuvenation factors they have discovered and prepare for potential pre-clinical studies. Marcus highlighted the importance of partnerships, both for therapeutic development and for leveraging AI models to analyze their vast datasets. They are also open to collaborations with pharmaceutical companies to help translate their findings into clinical applications.
The Broader Impact and Challenges Ahead
One of the bold aims of Clock.bio, as articulated by Marcus's co-founder Mark Kotter, is to extend human healthspan by 20 years before the end of the decade. While this is an ambitious target, Marcus reiterated that their focus is on creating meaningful interventions that can extend healthspan by tackling the underlying causes of age-related decline. He emphasized that the potential market for solutions to age-related diseases is vast, and there is ample room for collaboration among companies in this space.
However, there are significant challenges ahead. Marcus highlighted that one of the biggest hurdles is navigating the regulatory landscape, especially when it comes to novel therapeutic approaches. Additionally, the team is focused on ensuring that their findings in iPSCs are translatable to human somatic cells—a key step that will determine the success of their approach. Despite these challenges, Marcus expressed confidence in the direction they are heading and the potential of their technology to make a significant impact on human health.
Conclusion
This episode of "Translating Aging" offers a fascinating glimpse into the cutting-edge science of rejuvenation and the ambitious goals of Clock.bio. Marcus Gstöttner's unique journey from public service to biotech leadership underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in tackling complex problems like aging. Clock.bio's work with iPSCs and their efforts to create an Atlas of Rejuvenation Factors hold promise for developing new therapies that could significantly extend healthspan and improve quality of life.
As the team moves forward with their research, they are focused on validating their findings and forging the right partnerships to bring their discoveries to clinical trials. The journey ahead is challenging, but Clock.bio's innovative approach and dedicated team make them a company to watch in the field of longevity science.