[Malvern, PA, October 18, 2023] — LifeSensors Inc., a biotech company targeting the ubiquitin proteasome system for drug discovery and diagnostic markers, has received funding from the National Institute on Aging and National Institute of General Medicine. The funding, to the tune of $5.53 million, provides for the development of PROTAC drug discovery technologies. PROTACs (PROtein TArgeting Chimeras) and Molecular Glues are new classes of drugs that that degrade diseased proteins. Ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) machinery is an essential part of every cell. It is a guardian of neuronal cells that perform vital functions, such as memory and muscle movement. while Dysfunction in the ubiquitin proteasome system can lead to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Aggregation of the neuronal proteins, tau, leads to formation of plaques in the brain, thus resulting in Alzheimer’s disease. When functioning correctly, the ubiquitin proteasome system runs cells as a well-oiled machine, and formation of protein aggregates are immediately removed by UPS degradation machinery. The scientific community believes that the inability of cells to remove proteins aggregates results in neurodegeneration and other diseases. Early detection of UPS signatures in blood will allow us to diagnose AD and PD before it inflicts damage.
An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia today, and this number could grow to 13.8 million by 2060 if diagnosis or treatment is not developed. Similarly, about 1 million Americans and 6 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease. These numbers are increasing every day. It is imperative that early blood-based diagnostic markers are discovered so that PROTAC and molecular glue drugs can be tested in large scale human clinical trials.
LifeSensors, Inc., as a leader in UPS, has applied its technologies to discover markers for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The National Institute on Aging has recognized LifeSensors’ innovative applications of UPS to discover early signals for AD and PD. The UPS is a guardian of human neuronal health, engaged in removing aggregated proteins. LifeSensors’ technologies are used worldwide to monitor UPS functions and discover PROTAC and molecular glue drugs. Discovery of drugs that can remove proteins aggregates formed in AD and PD will be breakthrough therapies.
About LifeSensors Inc.
LifeSensors, Inc. is in the Great Valley Corporate Center, a biotech hub of Malvern, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For the last two decades, the company has established itself as a leader in the ubiquitin proteasome system and in development of innovative technologies that have simplified discovery and development of PROTAC and molecular glue drugs. LifeSensors’ PROTAC and UPS technologies and suite of 500 research products are currently used by scientists all over the world thanks to its world-wide network of distributors in Europe, China, Korea, Japan, and Australia. To disseminate these technologies, LifeSensors publishes papers in scholarly journals to facilitate PROTAC drug discovery. LifeSensors welcomes collaborations with academic communities interested in validating the role of UPS in diseases and diagnoses. For further communication, please contact Sarah Thomas, Director Communications at thomas@lifesensors.com or 610-644-8845 x 310.