HealthSpan Therapeutics is developing next‑generation biologic drugs that target skeletal muscle to preserve and restore muscle mass and function. By stimulating muscle protein synthesis, reducing catabolism, and enhancing myokine signaling, their therapeutics aim to improve insulin sensitivity, basal metabolic rate, bone density, and overall metabolic health, helping older adults and patients on GLP‑1 weight‑loss treatments maintain independence and quality of life.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Age-related muscle loss, which begins around age 40 at a rate of 1‑2% per year, progressively reduces metabolic capacity, endocrine function, bone strength, and independence. The loss is accelerated by widely used GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs, which can cause up to 40% of the weight lost to be lean muscle, worsening frailty and long‑term health outcomes.
Solution
HealthSpan Therapeutics is developing next‑generation biologic therapeutics that directly target skeletal muscle to preserve and restore muscle mass and function. By enhancing muscle protein synthesis and reducing catabolism, the candidates aim to improve insulin sensitivity, basal metabolic rate, and glucose utilization. The biologics also promote the secretion of myokines that support bone density, systemic hormonal balance, and overall metabolic health. Through these mechanisms, the therapy seeks to mitigate frailty, maintain functional independence, and improve quality of life for aging populations and patients experiencing drug‑induced muscle loss.
Target Audience
Primary customers are pharmaceutical developers, clinical researchers, and healthcare providers addressing sarcopenia in older adults and patients undergoing GLP‑1–based weight‑loss treatment.
Features
- Biologic agents engineered to stimulate muscle hypertrophy and inhibit muscle degradation pathways
- Mechanistic focus on increasing basal metabolic rate and enhancing insulin‑mediated glucose uptake
- Myokine modulation to support bone formation, endocrine signaling, and anti‑inflammatory effects
- Designed to counteract lean‑mass loss associated with GLP‑1 receptor agonist therapy
- Preclinical data emphasizing safety, targeted tissue delivery, and sustained muscle mass preservation