Juvena Therapeutics

About Juvena Therapeutics

Juvena Therapeutics, founded in 2017 by Dr. Hanadie Yousef and Dr. Jeremy O'Connell, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing protein-based therapeutics for chronic and age-related diseases. The founders' backgrounds in aging biology, proteomics, and systems biology from institutions like U.C. Berkeley and Stanford form the scientific core of the company's mission. Dr. Yousef's interest in the field began with early research at Regeneron, followed by a PhD where she studied the biology of aging, and postdoctoral work on how secreted proteins influence brain aging and degeneration. This journey culminated in the creation of Juvena to translate these insights into tangible therapies.

The company operates in the regenerative medicine market, developing injectable biologics intended to restore tissue health by repairing protein signaling pathways. Its business model centers on building a pipeline of drugs that can be advanced toward regulatory approval through a combination of venture capital funding, government grants, and strategic partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies. Juvena has successfully raised approximately $50 million through various funding rounds, including a significant $41 million Series A in 2022 co-led by Mubadala Capital and Horizons Ventures, and has secured grants from the NIH and the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine (CIRM).

At the heart of Juvena's operations is its proprietary, AI-enabled drug discovery platform, JuvNET. This platform systematically maps the "secretome"—the array of proteins secreted by human stem cells—to identify those with therapeutic potential. By integrating machine learning, multi-omics data, and high-content imaging, the platform analyzes these complex proteins to discover candidates that can reverse disease-related cellular defects. This computational approach is designed to overcome the traditional challenges of studying secreted proteins, which are often present in low abundance and have high structural complexity. The platform's capabilities span from initial discovery and in-silico screening to wet lab validation in human cell models and subsequent protein engineering.

The company's lead product candidate, JUV-161, is a fusion protein engineered to promote muscle regeneration and improve metabolism. It has shown potential in preclinical models to restore muscle fiber formation, counteract atrophy, and enhance strength. In January 2024, JUV-161 received Orphan Drug Designation from the FDA for the treatment of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1), a rare, progressive muscle-wasting disease. The company initiated a first-in-human clinical trial for JUV-161 in May 2025, evaluating its safety for treating DM1 and sarcopenia. Another preclinical asset, JUV-112, is being developed for obesity by enhancing lipid metabolism to promote weight loss without suppressing appetite.