NewLimit, a startup focused on extending healthy lifespan through genetic cell programming, recently secured a $130 million Series B funding round led by Kleiner Perkins. The investment also saw participation from new investors Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, and Khosla Ventures, along with existing backers like Founders Fund, Dimension Capital, Elad Gil, Garry Tan, and Patrick Collison. Founded by Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, former GV partner Blake Byers, and stem cell professor Jacob Kimmel, NewLimit has made strides in developing treatments to rejuvenate aging cells. The company has identified three prototype medicines that reprogram liver cells, enhancing their functionality in processing fat and alcohol. While early results are promising, human trials are still a few years away. NewLimit plans to leverage AI to develop and test anti-aging drugs efficiently, using simulation to identify the most promising candidates for further experimentation. Notable biotech startups in the longevity space include Retro Biosciences, backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Altos Labs, supported by Jeff Bezos with a substantial $3 billion launch in 2022.
