AgeX Therapeutics

About AgeX Therapeutics

AgeX Therapeutics, Inc. operated as a biotechnology firm centered on developing therapeutics to address human aging. The company was founded in December 2017 by biogerontologist Michael D. West, initially established as a subsidiary of BioTime, Inc. Dr. West has a notable history in regenerative medicine, having previously founded Geron Corporation and Advanced Cell Technology, pioneering research in telomerase and human embryonic stem cells. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in cell biology from Baylor College of Medicine, which grounded his entrepreneurial ventures in cellular aging.

The company's business strategy was multifaceted, focusing on the co-development and licensing of its core technologies to other biopharma companies to generate early-stage revenue. This included forming strategic alliances and collaborations with research institutions and pharmaceutical firms to advance its research and development capabilities. AgeX's core technology portfolio included PureStem®, for generating pluripotent stem cell-derived young cells; UniverCyte™, an immunotolerance platform using the HLA-G gene to reduce the rejection risk of transplanted cells; and induced Tissue Regeneration (iTR™), a platform aimed at reversing age-related changes.

The product pipeline was in the preclinical stage, featuring candidates designed to treat age-related degenerative diseases. Key candidates included AGEX-BAT1 for metabolic imbalances like Type II diabetes, AGEX-VASC1 for cardiovascular regeneration in ischemic tissues, and AGEX-iTR1547, a drug-based formulation to restore regenerative potential in aged tissues. In a significant strategic shift, AgeX Therapeutics entered into a merger agreement with Serina Therapeutics in August 2023. The all-stock transaction, completed in March 2024, resulted in the combined entity operating under the Serina Therapeutics name and focusing on Serina's pipeline for neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's. Following the merger, pre-merger AgeX stockholders retained approximately 25% ownership of the new company.