In the News
CCM Biosciences Scientists Discover First-in-Class Longevity Therapeutics
Metagenics® Named the #1 Doctor Recommended Professional Supplement Brand
FitBiomics Announces Monumental Advancement in Biome Research Poised to Transform Sleep and Gut Health Interventions Worldwide
Canary Cure's Game-Changing Obesity Therapy Burns Fat and Protects Muscle
Tempus Announces a Collaboration With Genialis to Develop RNA-Based Biomarker Algorithms
UC Irvine-led discovery of new skeletal tissue advances regenerative medicine potential
CCM Biosciences Scientists Discover First-in-Class Longevity Therapeutics
Applying a newly identified biophysical mechanism of enzyme activation, researchers at the longevity therapeutics division of the diversified biopharmaceutical company CCM Biosciences, Inc., have discovered and characterized first-in-class enzyme activators for a previously undruggable master regulator of cellular energy production. These first-in-class compounds fully restore the enzyme's activity to youthful levels and hold significant potential for clinical development to address a range of age-related disorders, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cardiovascular conditions, and metabolic diseases.
Finding enzyme-activating compounds has historically been challenging because they typically rely on a mechanism called allosteric modulation, which is feasible in less than 10% of proteins. Recently, researchers at CCM Biosciences and its affiliated R&D center Chakrabarti Advanced Technology expanded the scope of enzyme activation beyond allosteric modulation by introducing novel physical principles for enzyme activation. Using these principles, they applied computational and experimental design techniques to identify compounds that drastically enhance the activity of the previously undruggable enzyme Sirtuin-3 (SIRT3), which is centrally involved in regulating human aging. This study was published in Physical Review X, the flagship journal of the American Physical Society (APS), on 22 October 2024.
Notably, SIRT3, the major mitochondrial sirtuin enzyme, plays a critical role in determining health span and lifespan through its regulation of mitochondria—the cellular powerhouses that decline with age. However, SIRT3 was long considered undruggable due to the absence of a known allosteric site. The lead compounds discovered by CCM scientists work by significantly increasing SIRT3's sensitivity to NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), an essential metabolic cofactor that decreases with age and contributes to the onset of many age-related diseases.
Remarkably, CCM's compounds fully restored SIRT3 activity under NAD+ depletion conditions mimicking old age, with NAD+ levels reduced by half. The scientists demonstrated this effect across multiple cell lines used in aging studies. These compounds are also undergoing animal testing in mice for age-related disorders, including infertility, where they have outperformed both NAD+ supplements and existing sirtuin activators.
"Our compounds restore SIRT3 function to youthful levels and offer a novel approach to addressing the molecular hallmarks of aging," said Dr. Thomas Delacroix, a senior author involved in the study.
Dr. Michael Pollak, Professor of Medicine, Oncology and Pharmacology at McGill University and an expert on clinical trials for age-related disorders and the biochemistry of sirtuin-regulated signaling pathways, says that "The discoveries by CCM Biosciences pertaining to the design of drug candidates that can activate the major mitochondrial pathways regulated by sirtuins, along with the clinical development plan for evaluation of efficacy as well as safety of these drug candidates, revitalize this area of drug development."
Reference
Title of original paper: Computationally Driven Discovery and Characterization of SIRT3-Activating Compounds that Fully Recover Catalytic Activity under NAD+ Depletion
Journal: Physical Review X
Metagenics® Named the #1 Doctor Recommended Professional Supplement Brand
Metagenics®, a trailblazer in science-driven nutraceutical solutions, is honored to be recognized as the #1 Doctor Recommended Professional Supplement Brand?. For more than 40 years, Metagenics has delivered high-quality, science-backed nutritional vitamins, probiotics, and botanical blends that support healthcare practitioners in empowering patients on their journey to whole-body health.
As a pioneer in functional nutrition, Metagenics has become a trusted health and wellness brand worldwide – for healthcare practitioners and patients alike – due to its gold standard of scientific credibility, quality, innovation, safety, and ingredient transparency. For many years, Metagenics was only available for purchase at the doctor's office. Today, the secret is out, with Metagenics' full portfolio of science-backed supplements now available at metagenics.com and select online marketplaces.
To celebrate being named the #1 Doctor Recommended Professional Supplement Brand in the U.S. ?, Metagenics is offering savings of 20% off sitewide through the end of January†. Those looking to integrate nutrition into their everyday routines can use the code NEWYEAR2025 to unlock savings and turn their health and wellness resolutions into results.
"We are deeply proud of the trust put in Metagenics by the experts within the medical community. Their ongoing confidence, support, and partnership inspires us to continue innovating and building a healthier, more vibrant world for generations to come," said Pat Smallcombe, CEO of Metagenics. Pat continued, "We are excited to celebrate this recent milestone with a New Year, New You offer, making functional medicine accessible from a company that is setting the industry standard."
The Science That Creates BalanceTM:
Metagenics has long believed that good health starts with the best of what nature provides, transformed by the rigor of science. The brand has championed a holistic, personalized approach to health from its inception – empowering its network of 50,000+ practitioners (and growing) to address root causes rather than just symptoms. Metagenics delivers scientifically designed, precision-crafted formulas to support health at its core – because true wellness starts with integrity.
A Commitment to Quality:
Metagenics' commitment to quality begins with sourcing the finest raw ingredients and extends to hundreds of clinical trials and studies – validating product safety and efficacy. Third-party certifications, including USP GMP and NSF GMP, are paired with Metagenics' TruQuality® Guarantee. TruQuality provides online visibility to quality testing information for every single formula the brand creates – offering unparalleled transparency and ensuring every product meets exacting standards.
Targeted Solutions, Long-Lasting Wellness:
Metagenics formulates professional-grade supplements that address a variety of health and wellness needs for people of all ages and stages. Rooted in a holistic approach, Metagenics' products tackle the issues that need improvement, while providing people with long-lasting and whole-body health and wellness benefits. Metagenics continues to set the benchmark for professional-grade supplements with best-sellers that are designed to meet a wide variety of health and wellness needs, such as PhytoMulti Multivitamin, Estrovera, and UltraFlora Balance Probiotic.
About Metagenics:
With a heritage of breakthrough science, innovative products, unsurpassed quality, practitioner education, and dedicated partnerships, Metagenics has become one of the most trusted health and wellness brands worldwide. For over 40 years, Metagenics has delivered high-quality, science-based nutritional supplements, medical foods, and lifestyle programs to support healthcare practitioners in their efforts to help patients achieve their health and wellness goals. With a focus on global impact, groundbreaking research, and sustainable innovation through B Corp certification, Metagenics aims to make personalized health solutions accessible to all. For more information, visit www.Metagenics.com and follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
? Based on 2024 study data from independent US survey showing which professional supplement brands are most recommended or sold by healthcare professionals. Professional-grade supplements are those typically sold through HCPs.
† NEWYEAR2025 is a one-time use code with maximum discount amount of $60. Mention code NEWYEAR2025 on a phone-in order or enter code: NEWYEAR2025 when placing your online order to get 20% off your purchase. Offer valid December 30, 2024, 12:00 AM PT through January 31, 2025, 11:59 PM PT; cannot combine with any other offers and is not applicable to wholesale orders.
SOURCE Metagenics
FitBiomics Announces Monumental Advancement in Biome Research Poised to Transform Sleep and Gut Health Interventions Worldwide
FitBiomics, a leading biotechnology company using microbiome innovation to create next-generation probiotics, announced today the release of its latest research on the sleep-exercise-microbiome nexus. The landmark proof-of-concept study, published by the journal Microbiome, examined the effects of Lactobacillus bacteria on elite athletes and the general population. FitBiomics' research concludes that athlete-derived probiotics contained in its product, Nella, improve non-athlete wellness. This marks the first-ever probiotic/microbiome intervention clinically validated to improve gut and sleep health, together. Click here to view the full study.
"This publication not only underscores FitBiomics' commitment to advancing science-backed wellness solutions through peer reviewed validation; it also marks a new chapter in our ability to rapidly translate the microbial attributes of the most fit people in the world into preventative medicine solutions to benefit everyone," said Dr. Jonathan Scheiman, Co-founder and CEO of FitBiomics. "Our research shows the profound impact of Nella on the microbiome outside of just 'the gut,' with brain and immune benefits. We are excited to publish the impact of Nella on improving a person's quality of life and longevity by aiding with sleep, while also increasing energy and improving gastrointestinal function—all crucial factors in achieving optimal health and daily performance."
Topline findings of the study include:
- Study participants given a novel probiotic, containing multiple strains of athlete-derived Lactobacillus bacteria, reported a 69% increase in sleep quality, a 31% increase in energy level, and a 37% improvement in bowel movement regularity when compared to other participants given a placebo.
- Researchers observed changes in blood biomarkers indicating reduced oxidative stress and improved recovery from physical strain, and further analysis showed distinct changes in microbial community composition and function associated with the observed effects.
- This new research suggests that gut microbes could be harnessed to improve the wellbeing of people with a less active lifestyle.
In 2021, FitBiomics introduced its first consumer product under the brand Nella. Developed with the company's patented next-generation Lactobacillus probiotic strains, Nella is a probiotic designed for anyone looking for improved sleep quality, more energy and better digestion.
These groundbreaking discoveries are the result of technology developed and spun out of Harvard's prestigious Wyss Institute, where researchers studied the microbiome of elite athletes. To learn more about FitBiomics' latest research on Nella and view the video abstract, click here. For interviews, and additional information, please contact FitBiomicsPR@goodmanmedia.com.
About FitBiomics
FitBiomics is a leading biotechnology company that is enhancing human health and wellness by decoding the microbiome of the most fit and healthy people in the world, then translating that biological information into next-generation nutrition. The company has a bold vision to fundamentally change the way we understand and optimize our bodies by accelerating innovations into the global wellness economy. Based on cutting-edge findings from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard and dedicated to promoting health equity, FitBiomics has created a suite of clinically validated products to address significant consumer health concerns. The company's first two products are Nella and V•Nella. Nella is designed to support better digestion and sleep, while V•Nella is designed to reduce fatigue and promote energy and endurance, with more products to come from their innovation platform. For more information visit: https://FitBiomics.com/
Canary Cure's Game-Changing Obesity Therapy Burns Fat and Protects Muscle
Canary Cure Therapeutics, a pioneer in next-generation RNA therapeutics development, today announced breakthrough preclinical results for its lead candidate CCT-217, addressing two critical challenges in current obesity treatments: muscle mass loss and poor medication adherence.
Recent studies have highlighted significant challenges with current GLP-1 receptor agonist therapies, with up to 40% of Type 2 diabetes patients discontinuing treatment within the first year (JAMA, 2024). High discontinuation rates are largely attributed to the burden of weekly injections and side effects affecting up to 85% of patients.
CCT-217 represents a paradigm shift in obesity treatment through its revolutionary approach.
Breakthrough Preclinical Results:
- 26-34% total weight loss achieved through selective fat mass reduction in just 20 days
- Significant preservation and 25% increase in lean body mass composition compared to controls
- 43.5% reduction in overall fat mass, including substantial decreases in metabolically harmful visceral fat
- Rapid onset of action with continued efficacy without reaching a plateau
Key Advantages Over Current Therapies:
- Twice-yearly dosing regimen versus weekly injections, dramatically improving treatment adherence
- Targeted subcutaneous tissue action with no systemic circulation, minimizing side effects
- Novel mechanism of action creating metabolically protective brown adipose tissue
- Potential cardiovascular benefits independent of weight loss, unlike GLP-1RAs which require 60+ weeks of significant weight loss
"CCT-217's unique dual-mechanism approach represents a fundamental advancement in obesity treatment," said Raj Reddy, CEO of Canary Cure. "While current therapies often result in significant muscle loss - up to 40% of total weight loss - our technology selectively targets fat tissue while protecting and enhancing lean muscle mass, a critical factor for long-term metabolic health."
The company's proprietary technology leverages RNA interference (RNAi) to silence two key genes involved in fat storage and metabolism: CB1R and ZFP423. This dual-targeting approach promotes the conversion of white fat to metabolically active brown fat, increasing energy expenditure without affecting the central nervous system.
Professor Lawrence Kazak of McGill University and Canada Research Chair in Adipocyte Biology, a renowned expert in the field of obesity and metabolic health and a member of Canary Cure's Scientific Advisory Board, commented, "Obesity is a complex disease with considerable health implications. There is a significant unmet need for safe and effective treatments that treats the root causes of the disease. Novel therapies like CCT-217 which focus on harnessing the body's natural fat-burning capacity offer a promising new approach to not just managing weight, but truly modifying the course of obesity and its associated metabolic complications."
Additional Clinical Benefits:
- Improved liver health markers without direct liver exposure
- Enhanced glucose control and insulin sensitivity
- Reduced inflammatory markers
- No observed hyperthermia risk
- Tissue-specific action with no detected activity in brain or liver
Study report can be found at https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.30.630715v1. The company plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application by Q3 2025 and begin Phase 1 clinical trials in 2026.
About Canary Cure
Canary Cure, a biotechnology company, is developing revolutionary RNA therapeutics targeting obesity and metabolic disorders. The company's proprietary siRNA technology platform enables precise gene silencing to address the root causes of metabolic dysfunction. Backed by a team of world-renowned scientists and experienced biotech entrepreneurs, Canary Cure is pioneering the next generation of obesity therapeutics.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements about Canary Cure's expectations, plans and prospects. These statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.
SOURCE Canary Cure
Tempus Announces a Collaboration With Genialis to Develop RNA-Based Biomarker Algorithms
Tempus AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: TEM), a technology company leading the adoption of AI to advance precision medicine and patient care, today announced a collaboration with Genialis, the RNA-biomarker company. The multi-year agreement allows Genialis to leverage Tempus’ multimodal dataset to develop new RNA-based algorithms across cancer types.
Clinical care for cancer patients is hindered by insufficient biomarkers that fail to accurately predict patient response to treatment. To address this, Genialis has developed an AI foundation model using data from ~1 million RNA-sequencing samples representing globally diverse patients. This large molecular model (LMM), dubbed the Genialis TM Supermodel, yields accurate and information-rich biomarker algorithms to help biopharma improve therapeutic development. Validating Genialis’ LMM using Tempus real-world multi-modal data is essential to demonstrate the clinical utility and broad applicability of these biomarkers in drug development and clinical practice. As part of the collaboration, Genialis can now leverage Tempus’ analytics platform, Lens, which provides a development platform accessing de-identified multimodal patient records and a suite of tools to validate signatures to accelerate the company’s efforts to bring its clinical algorithms to market. In return, Tempus gains the right to evaluate and potentially license Genialis-developed algorithms for commercialization as a component of the xR platform.
Tempus multimodal dataset has already proved pivotal in the launch of Genialis™krasID, the first commercially available algorithm that stratifies patients who benefit from KRAS inhibition. Presented at the 6th Annual Targeting-RAS Drug Development Summit in September 2024, Genialis krasID uniquely predicts patient response to KRAS-targeted therapies across cancer types and driver mutations. Independently validated using Tempus’ real-world data, Genialis krasID stratifies patients into high and low likelihood response groups that have been evaluated in real-world studies1,2.
“We look forward to working with Genialis and demonstrating new ways in which our data can be applied to further a new kind of research, one that embraces the power that RNA-based biomarkers can have on the future of cancer care,” said Kate Sasser, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at Tempus. “Multimodal algorithms, including RNA signatures, are demonstrating rapid advancement in clinical utility for personalized treatment decisions, and we are excited to partner with Genialis to fuel this data-driven precision medicine future with our xR assay and vast multimodal dataset.”
“Biomarkers have the potential to transform how cancer is diagnosed and treated, but today’s standard of care leaves a lot to be desired in terms of accuracy, information richness, and patient reach,” said Rafael Rosengarten, Ph.D., CEO of Genialis. “With this strategic agreement with Tempus, Genialis will have access to an unparalleled data resource to validate our cutting-edge patient classifiers.”
About Tempus
Tempus is a technology company advancing precision medicine through the practical application of artificial intelligence in healthcare. With one of the world’s largest libraries of multimodal data, and an operating system to make that data accessible and useful, Tempus provides AI-enabled precision medicine solutions to physicians to deliver personalized patient care and in parallel facilitates discovery, development and delivery of optimal therapeutics. The goal is for each patient to benefit from the treatment of others who came before by providing physicians with tools that learn as the company gathers more data. For more information, visit tempus.com.
UC Irvine-led discovery of new skeletal tissue advances regenerative medicine potential
An international research team led by the University of California, Irvine has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Most cartilage relies on an external extracellular matrix for strength, but “lipocartilage,” which is found in the ears, nose and throat of mammals, is uniquely packed with fat-filled cells called “lipochondrocytes” that provide super-stable internal support, enabling the tissue to remain soft and springy – similar to bubbled packaging material.
The study, published online today in the journal Science, describes how lipocartilage cells create and maintain their own lipid reservoirs, remaining constant in size. Unlike ordinary adipocyte fat cells, lipochondrocytes never shrink or expand in response to food availability.
“Lipocartilage’s resilience and stability provide a compliant, elastic quality that’s perfect for flexible body parts such as earlobes or the tip of the nose, opening exciting possibilities in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, particularly for facial defects or injuries,” said corresponding author Maksim Plikus, UC Irvine professor of developmental and cell biology. “Currently, cartilage reconstruction often requires harvesting tissue from the patient’s rib – a painful and invasive procedure. In the future, patient-specific lipochondrocytes could be derived from stem cells, purified and used to manufacture living cartilage tailored to individual needs. With the help of 3D printing, these engineered tissues could be shaped to fit precisely, offering new solutions for treating birth defects, trauma and various cartilage diseases.”
Dr. Franz Leydig first recognized lipochondrocytes in 1854, when he noted the presence of fat droplets in the cartilage of rat ears, a finding that was largely forgotten until now. With modern biochemical tools and advanced imaging methods, UC Irvine researchers comprehensively characterized lipocartilage’s molecular biology, metabolism and structural role in skeletal tissues.
They also uncovered the genetic process that suppresses the activity of enzymes that break down fats and reduce the absorption of new fat molecules, effectively locking lipochondrocytes’s lipid reserves in place. When stripped of its lipids, the lipocartilage becomes stiff and brittle, highlighting the importance of its fat-filled cells in maintaining the tissue’s combination of durability and flexibility. In addition, the team noted that in some mammals, such as bats, lipochondrocytes assemble into intricate shapes, like parallel ridges in their oversized ears, which may enhance hearing acuity by modulating sound waves.
“The discovery of the unique lipid biology of lipocartilage challenges long-standing assumptions in biomechanics and opens doors to countless research opportunities,” said the study’s lead author, Raul Ramos, a postdoctoral researcher in the Plikus laboratory for developmental and regenerative biology. “Future directions include gaining an understanding of how lipochondrocytes maintain their stability over time and the molecular programs that govern their form and function, as well as insights into the mechanisms of cellular aging. Our findings underscore the versatility of lipids beyond metabolism and suggest new ways to harness their properties in tissue engineering and medicine.”
The team included healthcare professionals and academics from the U.S., Australia, Belarus, Denmark, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, as well as staff from the Serrano Animal & Bird Hospital in Lake Forest and the Santa Ana Zoo. See the full list here.
This work was supported in part by the W.M. Keck Foundation under grant WMKF-5634988; UCI Beall Applied Innovation under Proof of Product grant IR-PR57179; LEO Foundation grants LF-AW-RAM-19-400008 and LF-OC-20-000611; Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grant AN-0000000062; Horizon Europe grant 101137006; National Institutes of Health grants U01-AR073159, R01- AR079470, R01-AR079150, R21-AR078939, P30-AR075047, R01-AR078389-01, R01-DE015038, R01-AR071457, R01-AR067821, R01GM152494, R01DE030565, TL1-TR001415, R01-DE013828, R01- DE30565, R01-HD073182, R01-AR067797, R01-DE017914 and MBRS-IMSD training grant GM055246; National Science Foundation grants DMS1951144, IOS-2421118, DMS1763272, CBET2134916, NSF-GRFP DGE-1321846 and MCB 2028424. Additional backing came from Simons Foundation grant 594598, the Yoshida Scholarship Foundation, a Howard A. Scheiderman Fellowship Award, the Ben F. Love Chair in Cancer Research at Baylor College of Medicine, the UC Riverside School of Medicine Dean’s Postdoc to Faculty Program and the Danish Cancer Society.