Global biotech firms develop gene therapies to extend pet lifespans. Byeongku Lee 2026.10.27 15:45 KST Freeze-preservation services and anti-ageing drugs target cats and dogs in a US$150 billion pet health market Cats and dogs commonly kept as companion animals. Scientists and biotech companies are working on gene therapies and new anti-ageing drugs to extend the lifespans of companion animals. Getty Image Bank Research on animal longevity is emerging as a new field in life science. Scientists and biotech companies are developing gene therapies and new anti-ageing drugs to extend the lifespans of companion animals. Cryogenic preservation services, which keep pets at ultra-low temperatures with the aim of reviving them in the future, are also being offered. According to a report by the international journal 'Nature' on the 26th (local time), the first-ever 'Animal Longevity Summit' held in Toronto, Canada earlier this month brought together academic researchers and biotech industry figures to discuss a wide range of technologies, including cancer research in companion dogs, anti-ageing strategies for cats, gene therapies, and cryogenic preservation. According to the US venture capital (VC) firm Any VC, the pet and animal health market is estimated to be worth about US$150 billion (approximately 210 trillion won), and the growing interest and investment in extending human healthspan is now spreading to pets. Many of the current studies focus on dietary improvements, the use of probiotics, and applying existing human-approved medicines to animals. Some companies are working on new drugs that directly target ageing itself. Romanian biotech company CatHealthCompany is conducting clinical trials on two drug candidates designed to treat sarcopenia and kidney disease associated with ageing in cats. US biotech company Rejuvenate Bio is developing a gene therapy to treat mitral valve disease, a common heart condition in companion dogs. The company plans to eventually apply the therapy to treating metabolic diseases and extending lifespan. Belgian biotech company Genflow Biosciences is developing gene therapy technology aimed at reducing sarcopenia in dogs and extending their lifespans. The company intends to leverage the research results and funding it secures to move into the development of anti-ageing treatments for humans. However, gene therapies for companion animals are still at an early research stage, where their effectiveness in actually extending lifespan has yet to be sufficiently demonstrated, and therefore require further verification of both commercial viability and safety. In academia, some point out that government support for research on animal ageing is largely focused on outcomes that can be applied to human health, making collaboration with industry crucial for the development of actual therapeutics for companion animals. There is also growing interest in cryogenic preservation services that keep pets at ultra-low temperatures with the goal of reviving them in the future. US company CryoPets says it has around 12,000 customers on a waiting list for cryogenic preservation services. The company quotes a cost of about US$10,000 (approximately 13.2 million won) per cat and more than US$50,000 (about 66 million won) for large-breed dogs. However, there has so far been no successful case of reviving an animal or human that has undergone cryogenic preservation. <Reference> - doi.org/10.1038/d41586-026-03447-8 How do you feel about this article? No comments yet. Did you enjoy this article? Get more articles via email! Have an interesting science story, whistleblowing material, or tip? Don't hesitate to let Donga Science know.

Rejuvenate Bio raises funds on Wefunder at a pre-money valuation of $59.4 million. October 19, 2026 @ 3:52 pm By JD Alois Rejuvenate Bio, a medtech firm researching proven anti-aging strategies in animals and eventually applying them to humans, is raising growth capital on Wefunder, with the round scheduled to close next week. According to the offering page, Rejuvenate Bio is raising more than $3.2 million under the Reg CF exemption. A concurrent funding round has already raised over $6 million and is matching the offering. The company is selling preferred equity held in an SPV at a $59.4 million pre-money valuation. The offering page indicates that more than 1,266 investors have backed the firm. The offering requires a minimum investment of $250 and a per-share price of $0.91. In total, the company reports having previously raised $36 million Rejuvenate Bio is developing a gene therapy that works in dogs and is being extended for potential use in people. The "one-shot gene therapies that target the root cause of aging and chronic disease." The treatment is said to be "reprogramming the body for youthful function." They report strong preclinical results: one therapy is said to repair cardiac damage while restoring metabolic health, and another is said to extend lifespan by several years. The global gene therapy market is hot, reaching $9.59 billion in 2025. Some anticipate the sector will hit $74.78 billion by 2035. There is already a plethora of supplements and clinical claims that seek to extend a viable, healthy. This is only going to grow. The founders are well established and have solid backgrounds that align with the firm's ambitions. Like most startups, the company is losing money. The Form C indicates they had around $3.3 million in cash on hand as of August 2026. For non-accredited investors, the terms are the same as for the ongoing Reg D. Have a crowdfunding offering you'd like to share? Submit an offering for consideration using its Submit a Tip form and Crowdfundinsider may share it on its site! Sponsored Links by DQ Promote Reg A - Form 1-A filings Beta. Beta. Initial Form 1-A only. Target raise is the stated Amount to be Raised, totaled. Compared with the same dates one year earlier. YTD: Jan 1, 2026 - Oct 19, 2026 vs Jan 1, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025 Number of Filings 129 Prior 123 +4.9% Target Raise, Total $3.37B Prior $3.45B -2.2% | / | This YTD | Year prior | Change | | Filings | 129 | 123 | +4.9% | | Target raise | $3.37B | $3.45B | -2.2% | Sponsored by the Crowded Media Group the leading digital news service covering the global Fintech Industry, including digital assets, crowdfunding, tokenization, and other innovations in capital markets. email Crowdfundinsider @CrowdfundInside This display counts initial Form 1-A filings only. It does not represent subsequent filings, including Form 1-A/A amendments or Form 1-A POS post-qualification updates filed by the issuer. Amounts are the stated Amount to be Raised on the initial filing, not capital raised and not amounts revised in later filings.