YouthBio Therapeutics Inc.

What YouthBio Therapeutics Inc. does

YouthBio Therapeutics Inc. is a Seattle-based, privately held pre-clinical biotechnology company founded in 2021 that develops precision gene therapies based on partial cellular reprogramming. Its core technology delivers Yamanaka factor genes (OSKM: Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) into target tissues via gene therapy, where they remain dormant until periodically activated by a small molecule, enabling controlled rolling-back of epigenetic age in the targeted tissue while preserving cell identity. The company explicitly pursues a tissue-specific approach, arguing that different organs have different reprogramming tolerances and that systemic reprogramming poses safety risks.

The lead asset is YB002, a first-in-class gene therapy for Alzheimer's disease that uses transient OSKM expression to reverse age-related epigenetic changes in the brain. Preclinical work includes joint studies with Dr. Alejandro Ocampo (University of Lausanne) demonstrating amelioration of age-related cognitive decline, supported by an advisory team anchored by CSO João Pedro de Magalhães (Chair of Molecular Biogerontology, University of Birmingham). In September 2025, YouthBio received positive feedback from an FDA INTERACT meeting on YB002, with regulators agreeing that existing preclinical data support bioactivity and plans for a first-in-human trial; the company now plans CMC advancement and a pilot toxicology study ahead of a pre-IND meeting, targeting clinical trials in approximately three years.

YouthBio is pre-commercial with no approved products and no disclosed revenue. Its intended business model relies on eventual commercialization of approved gene therapies through pharmaceutical channels (specialty pharmacies and healthcare systems) supplemented by potential licensing and partnership deals. The company has 1-10 employees, has not disclosed institutional venture funding rounds, and participated in the MassChallenge accelerator in July 2023. Its initial commercial focus is Alzheimer's disease (addressable US drug market ~$30B/year, ~7.2M US patients, ~50M worldwide), with stated longer-term intent to expand the platform toward multi-organ systemic rejuvenation therapies.

Name

YouthBio Therapeutics Inc.

Legal name

YouthBio Therapeutics Inc.

Website

https://youthbiotx.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pre-clinical biotech developing YB002, a first-in-class gene therapy using partial cellular reprogramming via Yamanaka factors (OSKM) to reverse age-related epigenetic changes in the brain, initially targeting Alzheimer's disease with plans to expand into multi-organ rejuvenation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biopharmaceuticals - Gene Therapy

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurology/CNS Gene Therapies (HLAAACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development) (HLAAAIAD)

Keywords

• Gene therapy development
• Cellular reprogramming therapeutics
• Alzheimer's disease treatment
• Epigenetic rejuvenation therapy
• Biopharmaceutical drug development

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Gene Therapy Commercialization: Pre-commercial stage company developing gene therapies for Alzheimer's and other brain diseases. Revenue will be generated through commercialization of approved therapies following successful clinical trials and regulatory approval.
2. Licensing and Partnerships: Potential licensing deals and strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for the development and commercialization of their gene therapy pipeline.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

YouthBio Therapeutics is developing precision gene therapies based on partial cellular reprogramming with Yamanaka factors. Its lead candidate, YB002, is a first-in-class Alzheimer's gene therapy delivered as a single injection whose therapeutic effect is activated by a small-molecule pill, designed to reverse age-related epigenetic changes in the brain while preserving cell identity. The company is pre-commercial and is advancing YB002 through preclinical and regulatory stages following positive FDA INTERACT feedback.

Product overview

YouthBio Therapeutics is developing a portfolio of precision gene therapies based on partial cellular reprogramming technology. The company's core offering includes YB002, an Alzheimer's gene therapy that uses transient OSKM factor expression to reverse neurodegeneration at its epigenetic root. The platform employs a two-step gene therapy model: one injection delivers dormant reprogramming genes, activated periodically by a small molecule pill to roll back the epigenetics of target tissues to a younger state. The initial focus is on brain therapies targeting Alzheimer's disease, with plans to expand to multi-organ systemic rejuvenation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YB002

Quantifiable outcome

• FDA agreed existing preclinical data support bioactivity of YB002 therapy and company's plans for first-in-human trial
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Alejandro Ocampo, PhD (University of Lausanne)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Alejandro Ocampo serves as Lead Research Collaborator for YouthBio. He obtained his PhD from University of Miami and completed postdoctoral training with Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte at the Salk Institute, where he developed foundational technology for partial cellular reprogramming. He joined University of Lausanne in 2018 to continue work on aging and cellular reprogramming. The company announced results of a joint study with Dr. Ocampo demonstrating amelioration of age-related cognitive decline in 2024.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Altos Labs: Well-capitalized ($3B+ raised) biotech pursuing cellular rejuvenation programming through Yamanaka factors and partial reprogramming. Most directly comparable competitor to YouthBio, with substantially more resources, broader indication scope, and similar underlying science.
• NewLimit: Biotech developing epigenetic reprogramming therapies to restore function in aged cells, founded by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong. Directly comparable in modality (partial reprogramming) and disease-modifying ambition, though backed by significant founder capital.
• Life Biosciences: Biotech platform pursuing multiple partial reprogramming and longevity programs across indications. Comparable in modality, target indication scope, and stage, with stronger capital base and broader pipeline.
• Lexeo Therapeutics: Clinical-stage gene therapy company with a CNS-focused pipeline including programs for Alzheimer's disease. Comparable as a CNS gene therapy peer targeting similar indications, though with broader capsid platform technology.
• Turn Biotechnologies: Early-stage company developing mRNA-based partial reprogramming therapies targeting age-related diseases. Comparable modality (partial cellular reprogramming) and similar pre-clinical stage with comparable indication breadth including dermatology and ophthalmology.

Broad incumbents

• Calico Life Sciences: Alphabet-backed aging biology company pursuing broad research into longevity and age-related diseases. Comparable in ultimate therapeutic ambition (aging reversal) but operates as an established, well-funded research organization rather than a focused clinical-stage biotech.
• Voyager Therapeutics: Clinical-stage gene therapy company developing AAV-based therapies for CNS diseases including Alzheimer's. Comparable in CNS gene therapy delivery modality and target indication, with substantially more advanced clinical pipeline.

Emerging players

• Shift Bioscience: UK-based startup applying machine learning to identify safer partial reprogramming gene combinations. Comparable modality with differentiated AI-driven approach to addressing the same OSKM safety challenges YouthBio faces.
• BioViva: Early-stage company pursuing gene therapy-based interventions targeting aging, including telomere and follistatin approaches. Comparable in aging-focused gene therapy ambition though pursues different mechanisms than partial reprogramming.

Regional players

• Genprex: Clinical-stage gene therapy company developing REQORSA for cancer and diabetes (NASDAQ-listed). Co-founder Viet Ly was an early investor and helped take the company public. Comparable as a gene therapy peer, though focused on different indications and using a different delivery modality.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/youthbio

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 YouthBio Therapeutics Inc.