What Klotho Therapeutics does

Klotho Therapeutics, Inc. (KTI) is a privately held, clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Diego, California. The company develops recombinant human Klotho (α-Klotho) proteins intended to restore the age-related decline of the natural "longevity protein" and thereby treat or prevent multiple age-related diseases. KTI is operated as a virtual biotech with 1–10 employees, led by Founder, Chairman, and CEO James Plante, and has no products on market, no disclosed revenue, and one disclosed financing event: a $10 million Series A Preferred round led by Thynk Capital in November 2017, earmarked for manufacturing scale-up, first-in-human studies, and an FDA IND application.

The lead therapeutic program is positioned around kidney disease — specifically acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) — drawing on a US addressable population estimated at up to 40 million patients annually (including approximately 37 million with CKD and 600,000 on dialysis) and a US mortality footprint of roughly 300,000 deaths per year from acute kidney disease. Pre-clinical evidence cited includes Klotho injections reducing kidney damage and slowing CKD progression in animal models. Beyond the lead indication, KTI is investigating applications in breast cancer (tumor suppression and reduced metastases in animal models), Alzheimer's and age-related cognitive decline (improved spatial and working memory after single injections in mice), sarcopenia, and broader anti-aging/longevity uses.

The product platform has two layers: a patented recombinant human Klotho protein manufactured via standard cell culture, and, since September 2025, an encapsulated cell-therapy modality developed through Klothonova Inc. — a 50/50 joint venture with Singapore-based Austrianova (using its Cell-in-a-Box® technology) and Avant Technologies/Avaí Bio. The JV completed a GMP-grade Master Cell Bank in May 2026 for the genetically modified α-Klotho cell therapy, now in viral testing for FDA advancement. KTI holds worldwide patents pending on its modified recombinant Klotho proteins and trademarks on the "KLOTHO Therapeutics" brand. Commercialization is expected to flow primarily through pharmaceutical licensing or co-development partnerships rather than direct sales, consistent with its virtual, asset-light operating model.

Name

Klotho Therapeutics

Legal name

Klotho Therapeutics, Inc.

Website

https://klotho.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Klotho Therapeutics is a pre-revenue, virtual biotech developing recombinant human α-Klotho protein therapies — including an encapsulated cell-therapy format via the Klothonova JV — to treat age-related kidney disease, cancer, neurodegeneration, and sarcopenia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceuticals (Recombinant Protein Therapeutics)

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineered Protein Therapeutics (de novo/AI-designed proteins, novel scaffolds) (HLAAAAAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Therapeutic Peptides & Protein/Peptide Biologics (HLAAAAAH)

Keywords

• Recombinant protein therapeutics
• Cell encapsulation therapy
• Kidney disease treatment
• Anti-aging biotechnology
• Longevity protein therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Biopharmaceutical Product Sales: Pre-revenue biotech company anticipating future revenue from therapeutic product sales following successful clinical trials and regulatory approval. Revenue will likely come from licensing agreements, co-development partnerships, or direct commercial launch of Klotho-based therapies for age-related diseases.
2. Technology Licensing: The company's patented Klotho protein technology may generate licensing revenue through partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies for development and commercialization of Klotho-based therapeutics in various indications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Klotho Therapeutics is developing and commercializing a patented recombinant human Klotho protein therapy intended to prevent and treat kidney disease and other age-related conditions, including neurodegenerative disorders, vascular diseases, sarcopenia, and certain cancers. The therapeutic is produced using standard cell culture technology and delivered through Austrianova's Cell-in-a-Box® encapsulated cell platform, with an initial focus on acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as the lead indication.

Product overview

Klotho Therapeutics is developing a portfolio of Klotho protein-based therapeutic products centered on its patented human Klotho protein. The core product is a genetically modified α-Klotho protein therapy delivered via Cell-in-a-Box® encapsulated cell technology. The company is advancing programs in kidney disease, cancer, cognitive decline/sarcopenia, and age-related conditions, with its lead indication focused on acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease affecting up to 40 million patients annually in the US.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Klotho Protein Therapeutics Patented recombinant human Klotho protein therapy intended as a biotechnology treatment for age-related conditions including kidney disease, cancer, cognitive decline, and sarcopenia, designed to mimic the body's natural anti-aging Klotho hormone.
• Cell-in-a-Box® Encapsulated Cell Therapy Encapsulated cell-based therapy platform using Austrianova's proprietary Cell-in-a-Box® technology to continuously produce the α-Klotho longevity protein in vivo from encapsulated genetically modified cells for therapeutic applications in aging and age-related conditions including kidney disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and vascular diseases.
• α-Klotho Anti-Aging Therapy Cell-based anti-aging therapeutic program targeting age-related conditions including kidney disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and vascular diseases through restoration of declining α-Klotho 'longevity protein' levels.

Quantifiable outcome

• Klotho genetic overexpression in mice produced +30% longer life; Klotho genetic deficiency shortened life by 80%
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Klothonova Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 202550/50 joint venture between Avant Technologies Inc. (Nevada-based) and Austrianova's affiliate, established in September 2025. Klothonova is dedicated to developing encapsulated cell-based therapies that restore declining α-Klotho 'longevity protein' levels associated with aging and age-related conditions. The joint venture combines Austrianova's Cell-in-a-Box® technology with Avant Technologies' resources for advancing Klotho anti-aging therapy toward clinical trials.
• AustrianovacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Singapore-based biotechnology company and parent of the Cell-in-a-Box® cell encapsulation technology. Austrianova partnered with Avant Technologies (through Klothonova joint venture) to develop encapsulated cell-based therapies for anti-aging applications. Austrianova's Chief Production Officer represents both companies and their joint venture, with plans to present latest α-Klotho data at the Second Annual Klotho Conference in September 2026.
• Avant Technologies Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Nevada-based technology company that entered a 50/50 joint venture with Singapore-based Austrianova to form Klothonova Inc., positioning itself in the longevity biotechnology sector through cell-based therapies targeting age-related diseases via the Klotho protein. Avant Technologies provides the strategic partnership framework and resources for advancing the Klotho anti-aging program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BioAge Labs: Clinical-stage longevity biotech developing therapeutics for age-related diseases; explicitly named as a competitor of Klotho Therapeutics and pursues the same broad anti-aging / age-related disease thesis with greater clinical progress.
• CohBar: Biotech developing mitochondria-derived peptides for age-related diseases including metabolic and fibrotic conditions; directly comparable as a peptide/protein-based longevity therapeutic platform.
• Unity Biotechnology: Clinical-stage biotech developing senolytic therapies to treat age-related diseases; overlaps with Klotho in targeting the biology of aging rather than individual diseases.
• ProKidney: Cell-therapy company focused on kidney disease (specifically CKD/dialysis), using autologous cell therapy approaches; directly comparable in targeting kidney disease with a cell-based therapeutic.

Broad incumbents

• Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Large biotech with established cell-therapy capabilities (e.g., Casgevy) and active programs in kidney disease; explicitly named as a competitor and represents a likely partner or acquirer profile.
• CRISPR Therapeutics: Gene-editing biotech with broader pipeline including programs relevant to age-related disease biology; explicitly cited as a competitor in the longevity biotech space and offers an alternative approach to modulating disease-driving proteins like Klotho.
• Voyager Therapeutics: Gene-therapy company developing AAV-delivered therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases; explicitly named as a competitor and pursues overlapping CNS indications where Klotho is also positioned.
• Amgen: Large biopharma with established nephrology franchise (e.g., Aranesp, Sensipar for CKD-MBD) and active R&D in aging-related biology; potential strategic partner for kidney indication.

Emerging players

• Aurinia Pharmaceuticals: Specialty pharma focused on autoimmune kidney disease (lupus nephritis); comparable in commercial focus on nephrology indications with disease-modifying therapies.
• Allogene Therapeutics: Allogeneic cell-therapy biotech with manufacturing scale-up experience relevant to KTI's encapsulated-cell approach; comparable in cell-therapy modality rather than indication overlap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@klothomarketing5657/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/klothotherapeutics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/klotho-therapeutics-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Klotho Therapeutics