Lento Bio Company Profile

Background

Lento Bio, Inc., established in 2022 in Upstate New York, is a preclinical pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing small-molecule therapeutics targeting molecular damage associated with age-related diseases. The company's primary mission is to create effective, safe, and durable treatments for chronic age-related conditions by directly addressing macromolecular damage. Initially, Lento Bio focuses on presbyopia—a common vision disorder characterized by the loss of near-vision due to the stiffening of the ocular lens.

Key Strategic Focus

Lento Bio's strategic objectives include:

Development of Small-Molecule Therapeutics: Concentrating on compounds that can penetrate deep into tissues to mitigate long-lived protein damage, particularly in the ocular lens.

Targeting Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs): Focusing on reducing AGEs, which contribute to tissue rigidity and inflammation, thereby addressing the underlying causes of presbyopia.

Expansion into Systemic Age-Related Diseases: Leveraging insights gained from presbyopia treatment to develop therapies for other conditions characterized by similar damage modalities.

Financials and Funding

In September 2022, Lento Bio secured $680,000 in an oversubscribed seed funding round led by Ichor Life Sciences, which contributed $400,000. The capital is allocated to:

Establishing proof of concept for Lento Bio's therapeutics.

Optimizing lead compounds in early-stage preclinical studies.

Pipeline Development

Lento Bio's lead asset is a small-molecule therapeutic eyedrop aimed at restoring lens flexibility and near-vision in presbyopia patients. The development stages include:

Preclinical Research: Conducting studies to validate the efficacy of the therapeutic compound in reducing lens stiffness.

Clinical Trials: Planning to initiate clinical trials upon successful preclinical outcomes to assess safety and effectiveness in human subjects.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Lento Bio's innovative approach centers on:

Proprietary Small-Molecule Therapeutics: Designing compounds capable of penetrating ocular tissues to target and reduce long-lived protein damage.

Focus on AGEs: Developing therapies that specifically address AGEs to reverse tissue stiffening and inflammation associated with aging.

Leadership Team

Dr. Kris Barnes, Ph.D.: CEO and Founder. Dr. Barnes holds a Ph.D. from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences and has experience in ophthalmology research and pharmaceutical consulting.

Dr. Kelsey Moody, Ph.D., MBA: Board Member and Scientific Advisor. CEO and Founder of Ichor Life Sciences, Dr. Moody brings expertise in ophthalmology drug development and aging biology.

Dr. Aaron Wolfe, Ph.D.: Scientific Advisor. Chief Science Officer at Ichor Life Sciences, Dr. Wolfe specializes in aging mechanisms and drug development workflows.

Dr. Houman Hemmati, M.D., Ph.D.: Board Member. A board-certified ophthalmologist with experience in clinical development of ophthalmic therapies, including presbyopia treatments.

Dr. Ram H. Nagaraj, Ph.D.: Scientific Advisor. Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, specializing in lens aging and cataract research.

Leadership Changes

In November 2024, Lento Bio expanded its leadership team by appointing Dr. Houman Hemmati to the Board of Directors and Dr. Ram H. Nagaraj to the Scientific Advisory Board, enhancing the company's expertise in ophthalmology and presbyopia.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The presbyopia treatment market is experiencing growth due to the aging global population and increasing demand for non-invasive solutions. Traditional corrective measures include reading glasses and contact lenses, but there is a growing interest in pharmacological treatments.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors in the presbyopia treatment space include:

Allergan (a subsidiary of AbbVie): Developed Vuity, an FDA-approved eyedrop for presbyopia.

Orasis Pharmaceuticals: Focuses on developing a corrective eyedrop for presbyopia.

Eyenovia: Utilizes microdosing technology for ophthalmic treatments, including presbyopia.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Ichor Life Sciences: As the lead investor and incubator, Ichor provides Lento Bio with resources and expertise in preclinical research and development.

Florida State University: Established a research collaboration focusing on medicinal chemistry to develop optimized compounds for presbyopia treatment.

Operational Insights

Lento Bio's relocation to Syracuse, NY, in June 2024, positions the company within a burgeoning biotech ecosystem, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and a talented workforce. This strategic move enhances operational capabilities and supports the company's growth objectives.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Lento Bio aims to:

Advance Presbyopia Treatment: Progress its lead therapeutic eyedrop through clinical development stages.

Expand Therapeutic Applications: Apply its anti-glycation platform to other age-related diseases characterized by long-lived protein damage.

Strengthen Collaborations: Continue building partnerships with academic institutions and industry leaders to accelerate research and development efforts.