Turning Back The Clock In Aging-related Diseases
Overview
Our Mission: Harnessing the Power of Lipids to Treat Aging-Related Disorders
Our Mission: Harnessing the Power of Lipids to Treat Aging-Related Disorders
Our Mission: Harnessing the Power of Lipids to Treat Aging-Related Disorders
At Lucina, we are developing therapeutics to treat aging-related disorders. Aging is the leading risk factor for numerous disorders that impair quality of life. Research has shown that the age-related decline in Very Long Chain Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-PUFA), driven by epigenetic down-regulation of a key gene, accelerates aging p
At Lucina, we are developing therapeutics to treat aging-related disorders. Aging is the leading risk factor for numerous disorders that impair quality of life. Research has shown that the age-related decline in Very Long Chain Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (VLC-PUFA), driven by epigenetic down-regulation of a key gene, accelerates aging processes and contributes to dysfunction across multiple organ systems. Our PUFActive Platform is based on restoring VLC-PUFA concentrations in tissues to rejuvenate cells and reverse aging-related dysfunction.
Initial Focus: Dry AMD
Our Mission: Harnessing the Power of Lipids to Treat Aging-Related Disorders
Our Mission: Harnessing the Power of Lipids to Treat Aging-Related Disorders
In the retina, VLC-PUFA are essential for maintaining the biophysical properties of membranes that govern cell function. Notably, they enable transduction of the visual signal in photoreceptors and energy production in mitochondria. Their decline is strongly associated with several retinal pathologies including Stargardt Type 3 Macular Dy
In the retina, VLC-PUFA are essential for maintaining the biophysical properties of membranes that govern cell function. Notably, they enable transduction of the visual signal in photoreceptors and energy production in mitochondria. Their decline is strongly associated with several retinal pathologies including Stargardt Type 3 Macular Dystrophy and Dry AMD. In aged mice exhibiting an AMD phenotype, a single intravitreal treatment with PUFActive significantly improved visual function, reduced accumulation of lipid and complement deposits, and lowered expression of aging-related markers. The treatment effect was sustained at least 4 weeks post administration suggesting a durable treatment response.
Our Solution: PUFActive
Our Mission: Harnessing the Power of Lipids to Treat Aging-Related Disorders
Our Solution: PUFActive
PUFActive is Lucina's proprietary platform of therapeutics to restore healthy, youthful levels of VLC-PUFAs.
Our PUFActive platform includes two approaches for restoring lipids in retina and other tissues:
1) Synthetic VLC-PUFA, specifically formulated for intravitreal administration
2) Engineered microorganism "biofactories" that produce VLC-PUFAs for oral administration
The PUFActive Platform and Development Status
Intravitreal Program: LUC-101
Intravitreal Program: LUC-101
Intravitreal Program: LUC-101
Current Stage: IND-Enabling
Oral Program: LUC-201
Intravitreal Program: LUC-101
Intravitreal Program: LUC-101
Current Stage: Preclinical
Who We Are - Management Team & Scientific Co-Founders
Chris Chavez, PhD Cofounder and CEO
Jeanette Grant, PhD CoFounder and Chief Operating Officer
Chris Chavez, PhD Cofounder and CEO
Christopher is a molecular biologist and biotech executive with over 15 years of experience spanning gene therapy, genome engineering, and synthetic biology. He previously served as VP of R&D at Visgenx and held senior scientist positions at Adverum and Adicet Bio. He earned his PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics from UC Santa Cruz a
Christopher is a molecular biologist and biotech executive with over 15 years of experience spanning gene therapy, genome engineering, and synthetic biology. He previously served as VP of R&D at Visgenx and held senior scientist positions at Adverum and Adicet Bio. He earned his PhD in Molecular Biology and Genetics from UC Santa Cruz and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Genetics Department at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Marty Emanuele, PhD, MBA Cofounder and Executive Chairman
Jeanette Grant, PhD CoFounder and Chief Operating Officer
Chris Chavez, PhD Cofounder and CEO
Dr. Emanuele has 35+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience including 15+ years of C level and BOD experience. He has led multiple successful INDs and played key roles in the approval of first-in-class drugs. He has been awarded multiple US patents and drug development grants from the NIH and FDA. Dr. Emanuele also has extensive b
Dr. Emanuele has 35+ years of biopharmaceutical industry experience including 15+ years of C level and BOD experience. He has led multiple successful INDs and played key roles in the approval of first-in-class drugs. He has been awarded multiple US patents and drug development grants from the NIH and FDA. Dr. Emanuele also has extensive business development experience and has completed transactions with companies including Merck, GSK, Astra Zeneca and Novartis with a cumulative value of almost $1.0B.
Jeanette Grant, PhD CoFounder and Chief Operating Officer
Jeanette Grant, PhD CoFounder and Chief Operating Officer
Jeanette Grant, PhD CoFounder and Chief Operating Officer
Jeanette has 15+ years of biopharmaceutical operations experience, including at PACT Pharma, Adicet Bio, Agensys/Astellas Pharma, and many others as a consultant. Her expertise is particularly in early-stage drug development from discovery to Phase 1/2 in oncology, autoimmune, neurology, and ophthalmology. She has led several FDA Pre-IN
Jeanette has 15+ years of biopharmaceutical operations experience, including at PACT Pharma, Adicet Bio, Agensys/Astellas Pharma, and many others as a consultant. Her expertise is particularly in early-stage drug development from discovery to Phase 1/2 in oncology, autoimmune, neurology, and ophthalmology. She has led several FDA Pre-IND interactions and the filing of four IND applications as well as supported ex-US filings.
Marko Kozul, MD CoFounder and Chief Financial Officer
Jeanette Grant, PhD CoFounder and Chief Operating Officer
Jeanette Grant, PhD CoFounder and Chief Operating Officer
Marko has 20+ years of healthcare experience as a seasoned professional with corporate fundraising, investment banking, strategy, development, and equity research experience at leading biotechnology companies & investment banks.
David Bingaman, DMV, PhD Chief Development Officer
Dorota Skowronska- Krawczyk, PhD Scientific Cofounder
Dorota Skowronska- Krawczyk, PhD Scientific Cofounder
David has over 25 years of leadership experience at ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies including Alcon Laboratories, Alcon/Novartis, PanOptica, Oculis, Ora and MERIT with positions of increasing responsibility including VP, Global Clinical Development, Chief Development Officer, and President and CEO. He has overseen of all stages and
David has over 25 years of leadership experience at ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies including Alcon Laboratories, Alcon/Novartis, PanOptica, Oculis, Ora and MERIT with positions of increasing responsibility including VP, Global Clinical Development, Chief Development Officer, and President and CEO. He has overseen of all stages and functions of drug development, spanning asset identification through registration trial design & execution and beyond. He is a board-certified Veterinary Ophthalmologist and holds a PhD in Ocular Angiogenesis. He is an inventor on numerous patents and an accomplished author and invited speaker.
Dorota Skowronska- Krawczyk, PhD Scientific Cofounder
Dorota Skowronska- Krawczyk, PhD Scientific Cofounder
Dorota Skowronska- Krawczyk, PhD Scientific Cofounder
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Physiology & Biophysics, University of California, Irvine
Katja Schwartz Scientific Cofounder
Dorota Skowronska- Krawczyk, PhD Scientific Cofounder
Katja Schwartz Scientific Cofounder
Yeast geneticist, Department of Genetics, Stanford University
Gavin Sherlock, PhD Scientific Cofounder
Dorota Skowronska- Krawczyk, PhD Scientific Cofounder
Katja Schwartz Scientific Cofounder
Professor of Genetics, Stanford University
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David Boyer, MD Scientific Advisor
Theodore Leng, MD, MS Scientific Advisor
Theodore Leng, MD, MS Scientific Advisor
Senior Partner, Retina-Vitreous Associates
Theodore Leng, MD, MS Scientific Advisor
Theodore Leng, MD, MS Scientific Advisor
Theodore Leng, MD, MS Scientific Advisor
Professor of Ophthalmology, Director of Clinical and Translational Research Stanford Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University
Malini Veerappan Pasricha, MD Scientific Advisor
Theodore Leng, MD, MS Scientific Advisor
Malini Veerappan Pasricha, MD Scientific Advisor
Vitreoretinal Surgeon
West Coast Retina Medical Group
San Francisco, CA
Mitchell H. Finer, PhD Independent Director
Theodore Leng, MD, MS Scientific Advisor
Malini Veerappan Pasricha, MD Scientific Advisor
Vitreoretinal Surgeon
West Coast Retina Medical Group
San Francisco, CA