PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CohBar, Inc. (TSX-V: COB.U), an innovative biotechnology company focused on developing mitochondria-based therapeutics to treat diseases associated with aging, today announced that researchers have discovered MOTS-c, a new mitochondrial-derived peptide hormone that prevents obesity caused by a high-fat diet and stimulates the metabolism in the same way as exercise. The research, “The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide, MOTS-c, Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis and Reduces Obesity and Insulin Resistance,” appears online and in the March 3, 2015 issue of Cell Metabolism. CohBar has an exclusive, worldwide license for the development of MOTS-c into therapeutics.
“The mitochondrial genome holds enormous potential for identifying and developing a new class of therapeutics, and the discovery of the MOTS-c hormone highlights the role of the mitochondria as an active regulator of the human metabolic system.”
MOTS-c originates in the DNA of mitochondria, commonly known as the ‘powerhouses’ of the cell, which are responsible for converting food into energy. Unlike other hormones, MOTS-c is encoded in the mitochondrial genome. Its major target is muscle where it restores insulin sensitivity, counteracting diet-induced and age-dependent insulin resistance that is a critical feature of type-2 diabetes.
“This finding is groundbreaking and has the potential to alter the treatment landscape of diseases like diabetes and obesity,” said Dr. Pinchas Cohen, MD, Dean of the USC Davis School of Gerontology, Founder and Director of CohBar and the senior author of the study. “The mitochondrial genome holds enormous potential for identifying and developing a new class of therapeutics, and the discovery of the MOTS-c hormone highlights the role of the mitochondria as an active regulator of the human metabolic system.”
About Mitochondria-based Therapeutics
Until recently, scientists believed the mitochondrial genome contained only 37 genes and had been relatively unexplored as a focus of drug discovery efforts. Research by CohBar founders and their academic collaborators revealed that the mitochondrial genome has dozens of potential new genes that encode peptides that influence cellular activities by acting as messengers between cells. These peptides have shown disease modifying effects including: metabolic, neuro-protective, cyto-protective and anti-inflammatory, all associated with aging. CohBar’s efforts are focused on optimizing these mitochondrial peptides into drug candidates known as mitochondria-based therapeutics (MBTs). MBTs are being developed for the treatment of diseases associated with aging, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders.
CohBar’s Scientific Leadership
CohBar’s scientific leadership is centered around the company’s founders, Dr. Pinchas Cohen, Dean of the Davis School of Gerontology at USC, and Dr. Nir Barzilai, Professor of Genetics and Director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The company is also supported by its co-founders, Dr. David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and Dr. John Amatruda, former Senior Vice President and Franchise Head for Diabetes and Obesity at Merck Research Laboratories. CohBar’s Chief Scientific Officer is Dr. Kenneth Cundy, former Chief Scientific Officer at Xenoport, Inc. and Senior Director of Biopharmaceutics at Gilead Sciences, Inc.
About CohBar
CohBar (TSXV: COB.U) is the leader in the research and development of mitochondria-based therapeutics (MBTs), a new class of drugs for the treatment of diseases associated with aging. MBTs originated from the discovery of a novel group of peptides within the genome of mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell. This groundbreaking discovery was made by our founders, world leaders in the biology of aging, metabolism and mitochondrial genomics. MBTs offer the potential to address a broad range of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders.
For additional company information, please visit www.cohbar.com.
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including: statements concerning: the company’s plans, prospects, resources and capabilities; anticipated research and development activities; the results and timing of the company’s research programs; and the company’s future financing needs and access to capital. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by CohBar. These risks and uncertainties include CohBar’s ability to retain key personnel, expand its research operations and successfully advance its research programs. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian securities regulators, which are available on our website, and at www.sec.gov or www.sedar.com. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and CohBar does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts
MacDougall Biomedical Communications
Bianca Nery, 650-339-7533
bnery@macbiocom.com
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