Elastin Biosciences

Elastin Biosciences is an emerging longevity biotech company. It is developing small-molecule therapies to address diseases driven by the loss of or defects in elastin. 

It is a spinoff company of Longaevus Technologies and is listed in their portfolio. Leadership includes CEO Sherif Idriss, Chief Scientist Alexey Moskalev, and Director of Research Alexander Fedintsev.

Elastin damage and loss supports age-related diseases

As the name suggests, elastin is a key protein that gives tissues elasticity. The loss of elastin structures with age happens for two main reasons. First, elastin production slows down during early development. Second, elastin gradually breaks down over time.

As we age, mechanical stress, protein-degrading enzymes, and free radicals harm elastin. This damage causes a loss of elasticity in our tissues.

Damaged elastin makes arteries stiffer as we age. This can lead to high blood pressure, kidney disease, aneurysms, and strokes. It impacts the lungs, leading to a decrease in lung capacity. It can also cause conditions like emphysema and possibly idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Putting elastin therapy to the test

September 2023, they announced they had “identified three novel drug combinations that inhibit elastin degradation and foster its deposition. This led to a 5-fold increased expression of elastin, and improved aortic elasticity in aged mice in-vivo”. 

Additionally they stated they had “secured an initial funding of $2.5 million,”. Though the source or type of funding was not specified.

Sherif Idriss said in an interview “that the quality of the elastin fibers is actually very good as well,”. They also had observed no side effects in the mice other than itching at the injection site.

In June 2024, they announced the results of a new mouse study. These confirmed the results of the previous study described above. A 5X increase in elastin expression and improved aortic tensile strength was observed. Additionally, improvements in “overall metabolic profile and reduced pro-inflammatory markers” and a “marked increase in elastin deposition biomarkers,” “without adverse effects”. 

The company stated that it also led to better coat color, changing from spotted gray to all black. It also improved coat quality with less damage present. 

There were also better behavioral signs in tests for mobility and anxiety. In an August 2024 interview by Idriss, he commented that “treated mice exhibited more exploratory behavior and physical activity, indicating better overall health.”

Williams and Marfan syndromes are in their sights

In the press release from June 2024 and an interview in August 2024, they talked about their candidates. They mentioned that these candidates could help treat conditions like abdominal aortic aneurysm and Williams syndrome. A congenital disease happens when there is a spontaneous deletion in the 7q11.23 chromosomal region. This leads to reduced expression of about 27 genes.

Among the affected genes is ELN, the gene that codes for elastin. This leads to abnormalities in connective tissue, including supravalvular aortic stenosis. EB also mentioned the potential to treat other age-related diseases. These include issues with the skin, lungs, and blood vessels.

In the earlier November 2023 interview, Idriss also indicated that their initial indications would likely include abdominal aortic aneurysm. They also added Marfan syndrome without mentioning Williams Syndrome. Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissues caused by mutations in FBN1. This gene helps make fibrillin, a glycoprotein that creates a microfibril scaffold. This scaffold is needed for the formation of elastin fibers.

Idriss said in this interview “We are immediately starting a lifespan study in mice on these drug combinations”. He added, “We want to demonstrate that we have anti-inflammatory effects, that we have health effects on the brain”. And “that we have positive effects on other organs as well, including the liver.”

In a 2024 interview, he stated “Our preclinical studies have shown that our therapies … extend the life of mice.” Conversely, Ivan Morgunov, CEO of parent company Longaevus Technologies, stated they had no plans to conduct a lifespan study. The reason given  was it would apparently be frowned upon by investors. This suggests some disconnect between the two companies with these conflicting statements.

In the pipeline section, these drugs are identified as EB-101 – EB-104. As of August 2025 they have undergone preclinical proof-of-concept studies but not yet IND-enabling studies. This is the same status described in the September 2023 press release. 

In the August 2024 interview, Idriss said they are “in the early stages of planning clinical trials in Williams syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).” Additionally, candidates EB-105 to EB-108 are said to be under investigation for cardiovascular and dermatological indications.

On its homepage, the company says it “develops a continuous pipeline of small molecules using cheminformatics, testing on human cells followed by testing on disease models of Elastin-related diseases.” 

In seeming contrast, CEO Idriss said in an interview that EB began with a “classical approach” to drug discovery, “looking at the literature to identify potential combinations of existing compounds – including drugs already approved for other indications and those still in the research phase,” emphasizing the many potential candidates that had previously been studied in skin and testing them in aorta.