New Company: Yuva Biosciences

One of the leading researchers in the field of mitochondrial science has started a company to reverse the effects of human aging, including hair loss.

In July 2018, researchers at the University of Alabama, led by Keshav Singh PhD, published findings on a novel model for restoring mitochondrial function. The team found that by turning off a gene which causes mitochondrial dysfunction in mice, the mice were able to completely reverse signs of aging, including hair loss, gray hair, and skin wrinkles. The study was published in Nature and featured across the media. Since then, Dr. Singh founded the company Yuva Biosciences to translate this discovery into commercial applications. He was also joined by serial entrepreneur Greg Schmergel to serve as the chairman of Yuva Biosciences. The company marked its official launch recently in September 2019.



People waiting on hair loss cures are used to seeing research papers make a big hit in the news before, however, rarely do these discoveries get spun-out into companies. This holds good promise for Yuva and means that both scientists and investors saw great potential in the underlying science. It also means that rather than scientific journal entries, Yuva’s focus will be creating products that can make their way to consumers. For those new to the subject, you can read more about mitochondrial dysfunction here, it is recognized as one of the 9 hallmarks of human aging.



Latest Team Addition

On September 10, 2019, Yuva Biosciences announced that Aubrey De Grey PhD joined the company’s Advisory Board. That name may sound familiar as Aubrey De Grey is widely considered the most famous anti-aging researcher in the world. He is a founder of the SENS Research Foundation and is credited with publishing the first comprehensive strategy for reversing human aging.

Interview With Keshav Singh PhD

I reached out to the founder of Yuva BioSciences to get more details on his company’s product development plans.

FT: Your published study showed that by turning off POLG1 gene expression you were able to restore mitochondrial function which lead to a reverse of hair loss and wrinkles in mice. Was the original purpose of your research to discover a hair growth mechanism or was it aimed at something else?

KS: It was actually aimed at something else. The original purpose was to study the role of mitochondria dysfunction leading to cancer. We were pleasantly surprised that the mice showed skin wrinkles and loss of hair. Thus giving us a very important insight into how to prevent or reverse these conditions.

FT: Has your research progressed in this area since your publication last year?

KS: Yes, we are now screening compounds which can boost mitochondrial function and hence prevent hair loss or restore lost hair, and restore wrinkled skin to the normal state.

FT: Yuva Biosciences’ website mentions that the company will develop both cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical products. Which regulatory path will Yuva’s hair related products be developed for?

KS: We will develop both cosmeceuticals as well as drugs to treat hair loss. Currently, we have candidate compounds in the pipeline that are being tested.

FT: Finally, do you intend to have a research line focused on gray hair reversal technology as well?

KS: Yes, we will be studying this as our research in hair progresses. Additionally, we plan to develop agents to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia and premature aging in chemo patients.



Thanks to Dr. Singh for the interview. We now have another company with a great scientific network developing treatments for hair loss. It will be interesting to see what this new approach can do for hair and skin conditions.

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