Rejuvenation Technologies Inc.

Rejuvenation Technologies, founded by John Ramunas and Glenn Markov, is a biotech company focused on telomere attrition. They are developing telomerase mRNA lipid nanoparticles to increase the length of short telomeres, implicated in a number of age-related diseases.

Modified mRNA containing nucleosides that encode telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) can lengthen telomeres either in a controlled environment or within a living organism. The TERT mRNA is translated into TERT protein, which then moves to the nucleus to create the telomerase enzyme.

Telomerase is a reverse transcriptase that adds repeats of a DNA sequence to the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes (telomeres) in our cells. The result of maintaining or restoring their length prevents cell cycle arrest and cell death. Shortening of telomeres is widely believed to be one of the reasons we age and the hope is that restoring this loss could help address a number of age-related diseases and other fibrotic conditions.

The TERT mRNA breaks down quickly within a few hours, and the TERT protein degrades within a few days. This is important for safety because handing cells the ability to replicate inifinitely is a step closer to cancer. It is therefore critical that this treatment is transient so as to avoid the risk of cancer. The company claims that their mRNA telomerase therapyrapidly extends telomeres, effectively reversing years of telomere shortening in just a few hours. 

Development pipeline

The company is focused on a number of diseases and conditions as part of of its drug development pipeline.

RTI-IMM (NA1)

The company is developing RTI-IMM for an undisclosed condition related to the immune system.

RTI-IMM (NA2)

Rejuvenation Technologies is developing RTI-IMM for an undisclosed condition of the immune system.

RTI-LIV(Compensated Cirrhosis)

Their product, RTI-LIV, targets Compensated Cirrhosis, aiming to utilize telomere extension as a therapeutic approach against aging.

RTI-LIV (Alcoholic Hepatitis)

Their product, RTI-LIV, targets Compensated Cirrhosis, aiming to utilize telomere extension as a therapeutic approach against aging.

RTI-LNG1 (IPF)

RTI-LNG1, a treatment addressing telomere attrition, particularly for Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Over time, continual injuries harm the lungs. In order to fix the damage, lung stem cells must undergo division. However, as cells divide, their telomeres shorten. When telomeres reach a critical length, the stem cells lose their ability to regenerate the lungs, leading to fibrosis caused by fibroblasts. By extending the telomeres of lung stem cells with telomerase mRNA, it becomes possible for them to continue dividing and repairing the lungs.

RTI-LNG1 (Non IPF)

RTI-LNG1 for fibrotic interstitial lung disease (Non-IPF).