Lifespan Vision Ventures announced that its portfolio company, Rejuvenate Bio, has completed a $6 million financing round and entered into a strategic research and development collaboration with Merck Animal Health, marking a key milestone in advancing gene therapies for chronic and age-related diseases in companion animals.
The financing round was led by VCapital, with participation from Merck Animal Health, Connecticut Innovations, and Digitalis. The proceeds will support the continued development of Rejuvenate Bio’s gene therapy platform and pipeline, including programs targeting chronic and age-associated diseases in companion animals.
In conjunction with the financing, Rejuvenate Bio and Merck Animal Health established a strategic R&D collaboration aimed at advancing a novel gene therapy program in animal health. The partnership will leverage Rejuvenate Bio’s proprietary platform technologies and translational expertise.
Founded on research originating from the Wyss Institute at Harvard Medical School, Rejuvenate Bio is developing gene therapies designed to extend healthy lifespan and treat chronic diseases in both veterinary and human health applications. The company focuses on modifying biological pathways associated with aging through targeted genetic interventions.
Headquartered in San Diego, Rejuvenate Bio has built a pipeline based on clinically validated gene targets and delivery approaches intended to provide durable and well-tolerated expression.
Lifespan Vision Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on therapies that improve human healthspan, said the financing and collaboration highlight growing confidence in Rejuvenate Bio’s scientific approach and long-term potential.
KEY QUOTE:
“We are proud to see Rejuvenate Bio reach this important milestone. The confidence shown by Merck Animal Health, both as an investor and a collaborator, speaks to the strength of the team and the promise of their science. Lifespan Vision Ventures is delighted to continue supporting their mission to address some of the most significant unmet needs in companion animal and human health.”
Andrew Worden, Founding Partner, Lifespan Vision Ventures
