Epiterna, a Swiss startup focused on slow aging, has come out of stealth mode and received €10 million in funding from Prima Materia, a company co-founded by Spotify founder Daniel Ek.
Epiterna aims to use life-extending science to help both pets and people live longer and healthier lives. The startup has developed a unique platform to evaluate drugs and assess their effect on healthy lifespan. Their approach is to target aging as the root cause of diseases and physical decline, rather than focusing on individual age-related diseases. Epiterna plans to initiate clinical trials for companion dogs in Europe in 2024, with the goal of eventually launching products for human use. The company received guidance from strategic advisors, including experts in aging research, to support their team of researchers and engineers.
Philosophical Insights: Embracing the Possibility of Extended Lifespans
The emergence of startups like Epiterna highlights the growing interest in prolonging healthy lifespans. As our understanding of aging and the mechanisms behind it improves, we are presented with the opportunity to extend not only the quantity but also the quality of our lives. It sparks a philosophical contemplation on the implications of longevity and what it means for human existence.
1. Redefining the Meaning of Aging:
Aging, traditionally viewed as an inexorable spiral into physical and cognitive decline, can now be seen as a malleable process that can be slowed down or even reversed. By shifting our perspective on aging, we open ourselves up to the possibility of living longer, healthier lives.
2. Reimagining the Lifespan:
The extension of lifespan brings forth new questions about how we should live and make use of our time. Imagine having several additional decades in which to pursue personal goals, contribute to society, and form meaningful relationships. This prospect invites introspection and prompts us to reconsider our priorities and aspirations.
3. Enhancing Healthspan, not just Lifespan:
Epiterna’s focus on extending not just lifespan but also healthspan – the period free from disease – highlights the importance of maintaining physical and mental well-being as we age. It underscores the notion that living longer should not come at the cost of a diminished quality of life.
4. Human-Animal Connection:
Epiterna’s commitment to first testing their therapies on companion animals reflects the interconnectedness of human and animal health. Just as humans age and face age-related health issues, so do our beloved pets. By understanding and addressing the aging process in companion animals, we can gain valuable insights and develop interventions that may benefit both humans and animals alike.
Key Points:
– Epiterna, a longevity tech startup, has emerged from stealth mode and received €10 million in funding from Prima Materia.
– The startup aims to use life-extending science to help both pets and people live longer and healthier lives.
– Epiterna has developed a unique platform to evaluate drugs and their impact on healthy lifespan.
– The company focuses on addressing aging as the root cause of diseases and physical decline, rather than targeting individual age-related diseases.
– Epiterna plans to start clinical trials for companion dogs in Europe in 2024, with the goal of ultimately launching products for human use.
– The company has received guidance from strategic advisors in aging research to support their team of researchers and engineers.
– Epiterna’s approach emphasizes the importance of extending healthspan, the disease-free period, along with lifespan.
– The startup acknowledges the human-animal connection by first testing therapies on companion animals before moving to human trials.
Source Article: https://siliconcanals.com/news/startups/epiterna-exits-stealth-mode/
