Elastin Biosciences is at the forefront of developing small molecule therapies for elastin restoration. Their innovative approach aims to treat elastin deficiency diseases and promote healthy aging. In this interview, Sherif Idriss, CEO of Elastin Biosciences, discusses the company’s inception, preclinical initiatives, and plans.
Moe Alsumidaie: Can you provide an overview of Elastin Biosciences, including its inception and current preclinical initiatives?
Sherif: Elastin Biosciences is a biopharma company based in London. We focus on developing small molecule therapies for elastin restoration using a combination therapy approach. We aim to treat elastin deficiency diseases and care for the extracellular matrix, crucial for healthy longevity and aging. Currently, we have four assets in preclinical research. We have completed our proof of concept and started IND-enabling studies. Our primary targets are Williams Syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). These initiatives represent significant advancements in our research pipeline, aiming to address critical health issues related to elastin deficiency.
Moe Alsumidaie: What is the significance of elastin in human physiology, and how does its degradation contribute to age-related diseases?
Sherif: Elastin is a vital protein deposited early in life, forming a polymer of smaller elastin monomers. We produce it from before birth until adolescence, after which its production ceases, marking the onset of visible and physiological aging. Elastin provides elasticity to tissues such as skin, blood vessels, and lungs. With aging, the loss of elastin leads to the deterioration of these tissues, causing organ damage and inflammation. This inflammation accelerates elastin degradation, creating a vicious cycle, contributing to age-related diseases. For instance, the loss of elastin in blood vessels can result in conditions like AAA, where vessel walls weaken and bulge, posing significant health risks.
Our approach is to prevent elastin loss and promote new elastin production, which is crucial, particularly in older patients or those with inflammation. Our approach stimulates new elastin production unlike other treatments that may only halt elastin loss. It positively affects other organs, like the lungs and skin, and can be applied to multiple diseases beyond elastin deficiency. This versatility and comprehensive impact make our therapies unique and potentially more effective than existing treatments.
Moe Alsumidaie: How is your approach different from companies like Calico Life Sciences, which also focus on life longevity?
Sherif: While companies like Calico Labs focus on extending lifespan, we emphasize improving health span—ensuring that individuals remain healthier for longer. We focus on current rare disease states to measure the restoration of elastin and its impact on the body. By seeing positive effects in diseases like Williams Syndrome and AAA, we can infer broader benefits for overall physiology.
Our preclinical studies have shown that our therapies not only extend the life of mice but also improve their behavior and physical activity. For instance, treated mice exhibited more exploratory behavior and physical activity, indicating better overall health. This dual focus on treating diseases and enhancing general well-being sets us apart from other longevity-focused companies. By targeting health span, we aim to combine disease treatment with overall health improvement, offering a more comprehensive approach to longevity.
This platform approach allows us to target multiple diseases, offering a wide range of applications and a strong return on investment for stakeholders. Our comprehensive strategy ensures we address specific conditions and general health improvements, setting us apart in longevity research.
Moe Alsumidaie: What key findings have emerged from your preclinical studies, particularly regarding Williams Syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Sherif: Our preclinical studies have yielded promising results. For example, aged mice treated with our therapies showed significant recovery in blood vessel elasticity and function, making them comparable to much younger mice. These findings provide a strong foundation for our upcoming clinical trials.
Moe Alsumidaie: Could you outline the planned design and objectives for your upcoming clinical trials targeting Williams Syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Sherif: We are in the early stages of planning clinical trials in Williams syndrome and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). These investigations into rare disease indications will offer valuable insights into our Elastin Restoration Platform’s potential to affect multiple systems within the body and will provide robust data on the efficacy of our therapies on these conditions.
Moe Alsumidaie is Chief Editor of The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Moe holds decades of experience in the clinical trials industry. Moe also serves as Head of Research at CliniBiz and Chief Data Scientist at Annex Clinical Corporation.
