Oisin Biotechnologies

Oisín Biotechnologies is a drug development company focusing on age-related diseases. When cells detect irreversibly damage, they enter a condition known as “cell-cycle arrest” or “senescence,” in which they are unable to kill themselves or resume normal function. Senescent cells accumulate with age, leading to a vast number of age-related diseases. Oisín is developing a patent-pending, DNA-targeted intervention to clear these senescent cells. A recent study has shown that clearing senescent cells reduces negative effects of aging pathologies and extends median lifespan.

The company claims to have demonstrated the ability to transduce cells both in vitro and in vivo and that p16-positive senescent cells can be killed on demand in both environments. The company’s proprietary platform, SENSOlytics, is claimed to enable precise targeting of a senescent cell based on the DNA expression of the cell. By providing an exogenous apoptotic gene, which is only transiently expressed in cells that already have the p16 gene active, it is reportedly possible to precisely induce the senescent cell to commit suicide. The company claims to have shown as much as an 80% reduction in senescent cells in cell culture and significant reductions of senescent cell burden in naturally aged mice.

Funds and financials

In May 2021, Oisín Biotechnologies raised USD 5 million in a seed round led by Althea Groups. The funds were to be used in its work on chronic kidney disease.