Senisca

Senisca is a biotechnology company that spun out of the University of Exeter in 2020, focusing on developing treatments for age-related diseases by targeting cellular senescence. The company was founded by Professor Lorna Harries (Chief Scientific Officer), Dr. Ben Lee (Head of Discovery Research), and Kirsty Semple (launch CEO). The leadership team has since expanded to include Dr. Sarah Cole as CEO.

The company's scientific foundation is based on over 15 years of research led by Professor Harries, which identified dysregulated mRNA splicing as a new, druggable hallmark of the aging process. Senisca's core technology involves developing oligonucleotide-based senotherapeutics designed to restore the normal function of RNA splicing factors in aged (senescent) cells. By resetting these splicing factor levels to those found in younger cells, the company's interventions can reverse the senescence process, effectively rejuvenating aged cells and mitigating their harmful effects.

Senisca's business model is centered on the research and development of a portfolio of proprietary treatments, including oligonucleotides and small molecules. Its primary markets are pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. The company is initially targeting skin aging for proof-of-concept and commercialization, with a long-term vision to address high-need medical conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, osteoarthritis, and macular degeneration, many of which currently lack curative treatments. The company has secured over £7.1M in private funding and £1.1M in grants, with its latest Series A round in March 2024.

Keywords: senotherapeutics, cellular senescence, RNA splicing, anti-aging, rejuvenation, biotechnology, age-related diseases, oligonucleotide therapeutics, mRNA, drug development, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, dermatology, geroscience, senolytics, molecular biology, venture capital, preclinical development, drug discovery, genetic medicine, therapeutic molecules