Targeting aging, the root of many diseases, we pioneer the world’s first rejuvenating cell therapy to extend healthy lifespans.
Aging underlies numerous diseases such as dementia and diabetes. As the challenges posed by an ultra-aged society to healthcare, the economy, and society grow, breakthroughs in aging research are fueling hope for next-generation medical solutions.
Fighting aging at its root—NUMT develops the world’s first cell therapy for a healthier, longer life.
Physiological Changes and Challenges Caused by Aging
"Chronological aging" refers to the natural passage of time, while "biological aging" indicates the functional decline that comes with it.
Much of the decline in physical capabilities is due to biological aging.
In other words, aging itself is a target for prevention and treatment—and addressing it is directly linked to extending healthy life expectancy.
Physical Changes
Healthy -> Frailty -> Physical Dysfunction -> Death
Cellular-Level Changes
Decline in antioxidant capacity -> Mitochondrial dysfunction -> Accumulation of senescent cells
Aging: The Underlying Cause of Many Diseases
Source: FY2015 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Science Research Grant "Research on the state of health programs for the elderly" FY2015 General and shared research report
Source: "2019 Basic Survey on National Living Conditions" (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)
Expected effects of rejuvenated cells
In order to halt the progression of aging and solve the problem of extending healthy lifespan, NUMT has succeeded in creating "rejuvenating cells" that forcibly express fatty acid receptors (FFAR4) using ex vivo gene therapy using preadipocytes, NUMT's core technology.
Using these innovative cells, we aim to create a society in which people can live healthy lives into the 100-year era.
Prevention and treatment of aging
Extending healthy lifespan
Realizing a vibrant life in old age (productive aging)
Prevention and treatment of dementia and diabetes
Controlling frailty (decline in physical strength due to aging)
Rejuvenating the skin
How rejuvenating cell medicine works
Professor Yoshinori Takei, Department of Cell Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Toho University (then a lecturer at Kyoto University) discovered that among various tissue-specific transgenic (TG) mice bred for nearly two years, the mouse's life span, only fat tissue-specific TG mice remained youthful and active in order to explore the physiological functions of GPR120 (FFAR4). Further analysis revealed anti-aging phenomena in each tissue, and based on this discovery and process, a "rejuvenating cell medicine" was developed.
- Adipose tissue is collected from old mice
- Adipose stem cells are isolated and adjusted
- Using NUMT's core technology, fatty acid receptor genes (rejuvenation genes) are introduced
- These rejuvenation cells are then transplanted into mice
The key to this technology is the "fatty acid receptor gene." Fatty acids contained in oily fish, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are said to be effective in preventing dementia.
As we age, our sensitivity to these fatty acids decreases. By increasing this sensitivity, rejuvenation cells improve cognitive function and glucose metabolism, and promote rejuvenation of the skin/hari and muscles.
"Rejuvenation" (Anti-aging) Cellular medicine
In experiments, it was confirmed that aged mice (15 and 16 months old with AAV vectors, and 18 months old with lentivirus vectors) were physiologically significantly rejuvenated. If applied to humans, this would be equivalent to restoring the cognitive function of elderly people to the level of people in their 40s and 50s.
The sensitivity of fatty acid receptors increases, stimulating the vagus nerve.
The production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) increases in the hippocampus.
As a result, cognitive function that has declined due to aging improves.
In order to further develop rejuvenated cells, NUMT is working in collaboration with leading companies in this field, CellGenTech and CytoPathfinder, to establish highly efficient and reproducible host vector systems and direct gene transfer methods.
