Rubedo Life Sciences' Drug Discovery Platform, ALEMBIC™, Helps Identify Senescent or "Zombie" Neurons in New Study Linking Neuropathic Pain and Aging Published in Peer-Reviewed Scientific Journal Nature Neuroscience
Study is the first demonstration of senescent neurons driving neuropathic pain1
Rubedo's proprietary, AI-driven drug discovery platform ALEMBIC™ identified senescent neurons as novel therapeutic targets2
SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rubedo Life Sciences, Inc. (Rubedo), an AI-driven, clinical-stage biotech focused on discovering and rapidly developing selective cellular rejuvenation medicines targeting aging cells, today announced that using open source codes integrated in the company's broader propriety drug discovery platform, ALEMBIC™, helped to identify senescent neurons in a new study that found senescent neurons drive chronic pain with injury and age.1 Senescent cells, often called "zombie" cells, arise as the results of cellular stress and damage. These senescent cells do not die but undergo cellular changes, including secreting pro-inflammatory factors, thereby potentially contributing to inflammatory responses within the body.1 The study, led by Stanford University scientists, Vivianne Tawfik, MD, PhD, and Lauren Donovan, PhD, and co-authored by Rubedo team members, including Chief Scientific Officer Marco Quarta, PhD, and Chief Technology Officer Alex Laslavic, was published in the May 14th edition of Nature Neuroscience, a prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journal, and will be featured on the cover of the May issue.
Dr. Quarta said, "We know that senescent cells, which increase as people age, drive chronic degenerative diseases and conditions. In this study, we were able to show for the first time that neurons can become senescent, fueling neuropathic pain in both mouse models and human dorsal root ganglia tissue. The bioinformatic validation provided as part of our broader ALEMBIC™ platform with SenTeCh™ chemistry technology helped to uncover this link between aging and neuropathic pain, and further corroborates our experimental observations that treatments targeting these senescent cells could offer meaningful benefits for people experiencing age-related conditions."1
About the Study
In the study, researchers found that injury to peripheral axons of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons results in sensory dysfunction, such as pain. This occurs at higher rates in aged individuals. Furthermore, cellular senescence is common to both aging and injury, and contributes to this sensory dysfunction. Elimination of senescent cells results in pain improvement, indicating a potential target for new pain therapeutics.1
"Chronic pain continues to be an area with high unmet need, especially among older adults. In this study, aging markedly increased the burden of senescent or 'zombie' neurons, which in turn worsened neuropathic pain severity. These insights demonstrate that selective targeting of senescent-like neurons may lead to novel strategies for the management of chronic pain,"1 said Vivianne, L. Tawfik, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, and the senior author of the study. "We appreciate the valuable support and expertise from the Rubedo team during this research."
About Rubedo Life Sciences
Rubedo Life Sciences is a clinical-stage biotech developing a broad portfolio of innovative selective cellular rejuvenation medicines targeting aging cells that drive chronic age-related diseases. Our proprietary AI-driven ALEMBIC™ drug discovery platform is developing novel first-in-class small molecules to selectively target pathologic and senescent cells, which play a key role in the progression of pulmonary, dermatological, oncological, neurodegenerative, fibrotic, and other chronic disorders. Our lead drug candidate – RLS-1496, a potential first-in-class disease-altering GPX4 modulator – is set to begin Phase I clinical trials in Spring of 2025, marking the first ever GPX4 modulator to enter a human clinical trial. The Rubedo leadership team is composed of industry leaders and early pioneers in chemistry, AI technology, longevity science, and life sciences, with expertise in drug development and commercialization from both large pharmaceutical and leading biotechnology companies. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, USA, and has offices in Milan, Italy. For additional information, visit www.rubedolife.com.
References
1. Donovan, L.J., Brewer, C.L., Bond, S.F. et al. Aging and injury drive neuronal senescence in the dorsal root ganglia. Nat Neurosci (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-025-01954-x
2. Data on file, Rubedo Life Sciences, Sunnyvale, CA 94085.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250514558243/en/
Contacts
Investor Contact: Rubedo Chief Business Officer Ali Siamalisiam@rubedolife.com 781-974-9559
Media Contact: Peter Collinsp.collins@togorun.com 908-499-1200
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources handles nuisance bears
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — Now that it is getting warmer, West Virginia's black bears will be out and about looking for food sources to fatten up with for the colder months ahead. Unfortunately, this puts some of them directly in the path of humans. Once again, people are asking if there are mountain lions in the Mountain State Black bears are already starting to eat as much as they can before their next round of hibernation. One resident in Clear Creek found out the hard way; whatever is in their trash bin is on the menu. Samantha Thompson saw a black bear recently. She said she told her neighbors who were already aware of the bear, and they reported it to DNR. DNR set a trap and caught the bear, but what came next shocked Thompson. 'Our understanding was that when they trap the bear, they're gonna take it and relocate it. They're gonna tag it, take it, and relocate it. I was told after the fact that no that was not correct, that most bears, unfortunately, are destroyed rather than being relocated,' said Thompson. Thompson said she was saddened to hear about the death of the bear, commenting that she wishes that the incident had never occurred. This may have you wondering 'why not just release the bear elsewhere?' Colin Carpenter, Black Bear Project Leader for the DNR, said the bears are dispatched for a number of reasons, though they never want to have to harm any of them. 'First being our experience and the scientific literature shows that removing adult bears is typically ineffective. Because their rates of return are higher, they don't do as well in a new environment. So, since 2011, any bear over 140 pounds we have put down, dispatched,' said Carpenter. Carpenter said relocated adult bears will also still try to get back to their home range. They may also find another area populated by humans that has easily accessible food sources as well. He said there is another major reason in play as well. 'Because we have bears everywhere in West Virginia now, you know, thirty years ago when we were moving bears regularly, we didn't have bears in every available habitat. We had places to take them. Now, we have bears statewide. So, moving bears is not a solution to the problem. The solution is addressing the food attractant that's causing the issue,' said Carpenter. How can you help West Virginia's native bats? Carpenter advises everyone to do their own reach on how to live effectively and safely in bear country. He said they never want to dispatch a bear, but that they cannot risk someone being hurt. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
DuPont Powers AI and Next-Gen Electronics with Advanced Interconnect Innovations at JPCA Show 2025
TOKYO, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DuPont (NYSE:DD) today announced its participation in the Total Solution Exhibition for Electronic Equipment 2025 (JPCA Show 2025), taking place from June 4-6 at the Tokyo Big Sight East Exhibition Halls. At Booth #6C-03, DuPont will showcase its extensive portfolio of advanced interconnect solutions, which encompass fine line, signal integrity, power and thermal management. "Our participation at JPCA 2025 underscores our commitment to innovation within the electronics industry," said Yuan Yuan Zhou, Global Business Director, Advanced Circuit & Packaging, Interconnect Solutions. "For over 50 years, we have collaborated with industry leaders to power remarkable advancements in electronics, with a strategic focus on integrate circuit (IC) substrate, advanced printed circuit boards (PCB), and advanced packaging. Our deep customer intimacy, along with the depth and breadth of our technical capabilities, continues to empower advanced computing and connectivity." As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries, the demand for high-performance IC substrates is surging, with Japan at the forefront of providing innovative materials and processes. These advanced substrates are critical for bridging AI chips and printed circuit boards, enabling quicker data processing and improved thermal management. The global IC substrate market is poised to experience notable growth, driven by the expanding AI ecosystem and the increasing demand for advanced solutions. DuPont's comprehensive solutions empower IC substrate manufacturers to expedite product development and enhance production efficiency. Key offerings include DuPont™ Circuposit™ desmear and electroless copper for mSAP and SAP processes, and DuPont™ Copper Gleam™ electrolytic copper for conformal through-hole plating, which enhances core layer plating technologies. Moreover, DuPont™ Microfill™ acid copper optimizes blind via filling for build-up layers, thereby boosting mSAP and SAP process efficiency. Additionally, DuPont™ Riston® dry film photoresist is essential for a variety of applications, including core and build-up layers, final finishes, and copper pillars. Visitors to DuPont's booth are invited to connect with our experts and discover integrated solutions designed to drive success in the rapidly evolving electronics industry, including our complete range of offerings for PCBs. Circuposit™ SAP8000 electroless copper is an innovative metallization technology designed for AI server CPU and GPU chip applications. This ionic base catalyst process is optimized for advanced packaging, meeting the demands for low roughness dielectrics and low Dk and Df properties, essential for fine line and high-frequency designs. Microfill™ SFP-II-M acid copper offers excellent pattern uniformity, ideal for high-performance computing and AI chip applications. Microfill™ GFH-100 acid copper efficiently fills high aspect ratio through-holes for TGV applications with a unique bridging waveform and one-bath plating. Meanwhile, Microfill™ AHF acid copper supports various hole types in HDI and IC substrates, enabling stacked via structures for simpler processing. Riston® DI1600 and DI1600M dry film photoresists are advanced solutions that enable fine line direct imaging for IC substrate applications. They provide excellent adhesion and resolution, ensuring high-yield performance. Solderon™ TS7000 series solder is a SnAg micro bump plating solution for HBM applications. It offers excellent coplanarity, ideal for mixed and fine pitch micro-bumps, and supports both soluble and insoluble electrode plating solutions for added versatility. CYCLOTENE™ dry-film photo-imageable dielectric (DF-PID) for fan-out panel level package (FOPLP) provides excellent coplanarity through lamination and achieves desired thickness in a single step, unlike liquid dielectrics that require multiple coatings. Additionally, DF-PID for glass core substrate effectively fills through-glass vias (TGV) without voids in glass core substrates, which have successfully passed multi-reflow, biased highly accelerated stress test (bHAST), and high-temperature storage (HTS) reliability tests, showing no delamination or cracking post-assessment. Pyralux® ML laminates are a breakthrough in non-copper-based materials, providing OEMs with a reliable, customizable solution for high-performance markets. By setting a new industry standard and leveraging advanced polyimide technology, these laminates are poised to expand their impact across critical industries, becoming essential for the next generation of electronic and thermal management applications. Pyralux® AP flexible copper-clad laminate is a double-sided laminate featuring an all-polyimide dielectric and a unique manufacturing process. It offers exceptional reliability and reduced transmission loss, meeting customer demands for high-speed, high-frequency signal transmission. About DuPont DuPont (NYSE: DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, healthcare and worker safety. More information about the company, its businesses and solutions can be found at Investors can access information included on the Investor Relations section of the website at DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, SM or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE DuPont Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
What a Doctor wants you to know about Measles
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The South Dakota Department of Health has reported the state's first case of measles in 2025. A man in Meade County developed the infection after traveling internationally. The most common symptoms of measles start off much like a cold, a cough, a runny nose, and red watery eyes, called conjunctivitis. 'That is accompanied by a fever, which is often very high, up to 104 105 degrees. Several days after those symptoms start, 4 or 5 days, is when the characteristic measles rash usually pops up. It's bright red, it starts at the hairline and works its way down the body,' said Doctor Ashley Sands, an infectious disease expert. Remembering The Children Memorial sculpture honors those who lost their lives What makes measles so dangerous is that it can cause pneumonia and encephalitis, which can be fatal. Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known to man. To give you an idea of how contagious measles is, if someone in this room had coughed an hour ago. And if I walk through that airspace, I could become infected if I'm not vaccinated. Dr. Sands says the measles vaccine is very safe and very effective, and has been around since the 1960s. 'We know that with the first dose of measles given around one year of age, that confers around 93 percent immunity, meaning that of 100 people who receive the measles vaccine, 93 will be fully protected for the rest of their lives,' said Dr. Sands. Most people are vaccinated at 12 months old and receive a second dose at age second dose raises a person's protection from 93 percent to 97 in the rare case of a vaccinated person becoming infected, she says the infection is much less severe and contagious. If you are unsure if you were vaccinated as a child, doctors suggest talking with your can also check with your doctor or request your immunization records from the South Dakota Department of Health. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
