Anew Medical Advances Klotho Gene Therapy to Combat Neurodegenerative Disorders and Promote Longevity

Author: Benzinga Newsdesk | July 09, 2024 05:35am

ANEW MEDICAL, INC. (NASDAQ:WENA) (“ANEW”), a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the advancement of novel disease-modifying therapies for neurological and age-related disorders, announces plans to advance its recently patented Klotho gene therapy program for neurodegenerative disorders.

ANEW has compelling initial data suggesting that maintaining elevated levels of Klotho in the body significantly contributes to longer, healthier lifespans. Conversely, the data reveals that individuals with depleted or lower-than-normal levels of Klotho are more susceptible to neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s Disease. ANEW will also investigate other age-related disorders associated with depleted Klotho levels, such as memory loss, osteoporosis, sarcopenia (muscle wasting), diabetes mellitus, and certain cardiovascular conditions.

Dr. Joseph Sinkule, CEO and Founder of ANEW MEDICAL, commented: “Administering a medication based on the Klotho isoform of interest, secreted Klotho (s-KL), may contribute to longer, healthier lives. Research by our strategic partner, the Okinawa Research Center for Longevity Science (ORCLS) in Japan, suggests that the Klotho gene is a key factor in age-related longevity. Klotho emerged as one of the two most significant genes from their studies, and we look forward to continuing our research with ORCLS as we advance ANEW’s clinical development programs for Neurodegenerative Disorders.”

ANEW has development plans to advance its program in three distinct areas:

• FDA Clinical Trials: The development of therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative diseases and age-related disorders involves using an adenovirus (AAV) vector to deliver the secreted Klotho gene DNA sequence to neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). This approach aims to correct deficiencies in the levels of s-KL.
• Klotho Diagnostics: The development and commercialization of a diagnostic that will enable healthcare providers to accurately quantify levels of Klotho gene and protein isoforms in blood samples. This tool will also provide ANEW with the necessary diagnostic to screen patients for its clinical trials.
• Age-Related Disorders: ANEW plans to develop exploratory approaches to promote longevity in healthy populations using gene or cell-based Klotho therapies, as well as other genes of interest that are directly related to longevity.

Dr. Shalom Hirshman, M.D., Chief Medical Advisor and Board member, stated: “ANEW is in a strong position to significantly influence the treatment of ALS, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative disorders. With our patent-protected gene therapy platform technology, we have the potential to improve health and extend life expectancy.”

Posted In: WENA