UNITY Biotechnology
UNITY Biotechnology develops therapeutics to address age-related diseases, focusing on vision loss and cognitive decline through a senolytic approach. Their lead product, UBX1325, targets diabetic macular edema and has shown promising clinical results.
Overview of UNITY Biotechnology
UNITY Biotechnology specializes in developing therapeutics aimed at slowing, halting, or reversing diseases associated with aging. The company's primary focus is on age-related diseases such as vision loss and cognitive decline. UNITY uses a senolytic approach to selectively eliminate or modulate senescent cells, which are implicated in various aging-related conditions. Headquartered in South San Francisco, CA, UNITY maintains a strategic focus on pioneering advancements in age-related disease therapeutics.
Therapeutic Approaches and Focus Areas
UNITY Biotechnology focuses on age-related diseases like vision loss and cognitive decline. Using a senolytic approach, the company targets senescent cells to address these conditions. UNITY's lead product candidate, UBX1325, is specifically designed to eliminate senescent cells in the eye's vasculature, offering a potential alternative to current treatments for diabetic macular edema (DME). Additionally, UNITY's neurology programs investigate different mechanisms to enhance cognitive functions.
Lead Product Candidate: UBX1325
UBX1325 is UNITY's leading product candidate targeting senescent cells in the diseased vasculature of the eye. It holds promise as an alternative treatment for diabetic macular edema (DME), which is a major cause of blindness in adults with diabetes. UBX1325 is currently in clinical development, including the Phase 2b ASPIRE study, which has recently been extended to 36 weeks and increased in sample size to 50 patients. In the Phase 2 BEHOLD study, UBX1325 demonstrated significant improvements in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) through 48 weeks, along with a favorable safety and tolerability profile.
Additional Research and Development Initiatives
UNITY Biotechnology is involved in multiple research and development initiatives beyond UBX1325. This includes the Tie2/VEGF bispecific molecule targeting core pathways in the progression of DME and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Furthermore, UNITY's Tie2 activation program is under preclinical study for various applications. The company also licensed its α-Klotho program, UBX2089, to Jocasta Neuroscience for the development of treatments for cognitive dysfunction.
Financial and Operational Highlights
UNITY Biotechnology has sufficient cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities to fund operations into the third quarter of 2025. Notably, the company's research and development expenses decreased substantially in 2023 compared to 2022, along with a reduction in general and administrative costs. These financial adjustments support the company's ongoing commitment to advancing its therapeutic programs while managing operational efficiency.