Retro Biosciences

Retro Biosciences is an ambitious, privately-held biotech focused on longevity, aiming to add a decade of healthy human lifespan by targeting the root mechanisms of aging. The company has built a diversified preclinical pipeline centered on four core technology platforms: hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) reprogramming, autophagy enhancement, microglia therapeutics, and in vivo tissue reprogramming. With a team of over 60 and advised by prominent longevity researchers, Retro is pursuing a high-risk, high-reward strategy to translate aging biology into human therapeutics, operating in a capital-intensive, pre-revenue stage.

Multi-platform approach integrating HSC reprogramming, autophagy enhancement via small molecules, microglia therapeutics derived from iPSCs, and in vivo tissue reprogramming via gene therapy.

Operates in the competitive longevity biotech space with rivals like Altos Labs, Calico Life Sciences, Unity Biotechnology, and numerous startups. Competition is based on scientific approach (e.g., cellular reprogramming, senolytics, autophagy), funding, and talent. Large pharma companies are also showing increased interest in aging biology.