CohBar (NASDAQ: CWBR) is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the research and development of mitochondria based therapeutics, an emerging class of drugs for the treatment of chronic and age-related diseases. Mitochondria based therapeutics originate from the discovery by CohBar’s founders of a novel group of naturally occurring mitochondrial-derived peptides within the mitochondrial genome that regulate metabolism and cell death, and whose biological activity declines with age. To date, the company has discovered more than 100 mitochondrial derived peptides and generated over 1,000 analogs. CohBar’s efforts focus on the development of these peptides into therapeutics that offer the potential to address a broad range of diseases, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), obesity, fibrotic diseases, cancer, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The company’s lead compound, CB4211, which is under development for the treatment of NASH and obesity, recently completed a successful Phase 1a/1b clinical trial. In addition, CohBar has four preclinical programs, the most advanced of which is CB5138-3, a peptide with broad anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties. This program is currently in IND-enabling studies with the goal of filing an IND and initiating a First-in-Human study in 2022 with an initial indication of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The company also has a program in ARDS, including COVID-19 associated ARDS, as well as two peptide families with potential utility in treating various forms of cancer.
Our mission is to treat chronic diseases and increase healthy lifespan by harnessing the power of mitochondrial biology. Our goal is to continue building on our founders’ work and to improve the lives of patients through the development of breakthrough mitochondrial based therapeutics targeting a wide range of chronic diseases with significant unmet medical needs.
Collectively, our founders, internationally recognized leaders in their fields, have over a century's worth of background and expertise in genetics, metabolism and aging, clinical practice, research, academia, and drug development environments.
Dr. Barzilai is a Professor of Genetics and Director of the Institute for Aging at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He has been recognized for his groundbreaking work in the fields of genetics and aging, including awards and grants from the NIH, Nathan Shock and Ellison Foundations.
Dr. Cohen is the Dean of the Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California. Dr. Cohen has received numerous awards and grants for his work in the field of mitochondrial peptides including the EUREKA-Award and the NIH-Director-Transformative RO1 Grant.
Dr. Sinclair is a Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and co-director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging. Dr. Sinclair is also founder of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, OvaScience, Genocea and ArcBio.
Dr. Amatruda has more than 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and in academia at Merck, Bayer, Rochester, Columbia and Yale Universities Schools of Medicines. He is the former SVP and Franchise Head for Diabetes and Obesity at Merck Research Labs and led the development of Merck's Januvia, a $6B/year diabetes drug.
