Lifespan Vision Ventures (LVV), a venture capital firm focused on advancing therapies that promote healthy aging and extend human healthspan, has announced that its portfolio company, Rejuvenate Bio, has successfully completed a $6 million financing round while also entering into a strategic research and development collaboration with Merck Animal Health. The twin milestones are expected to accelerate the company’s efforts to develop innovative gene therapies for chronic and age-related diseases affecting companion animals.
The funding round was led by VCapital, with participation from Merck Animal Health, Connecticut Innovations and Digitalis. The fresh capital will support the continued development of Rejuvenate Bio’s proprietary gene therapy platform and strengthen its pipeline of treatments designed to improve the quality of life and longevity of companion animals suffering from chronic health conditions.
In parallel with the investment, Rejuvenate Bio has established a strategic R&D collaboration with Merck Animal Health to jointly advance a novel gene therapy programme for the animal health sector. The collaboration will combine Rejuvenate Bio’s proprietary platform technologies and translational research capabilities with Merck Animal Health’s expertise in veterinary healthcare to accelerate the development of next-generation therapeutic solutions.
The partnership reflects growing industry interest in gene therapy as a promising approach to addressing diseases associated with aging and other long-term health conditions in animals. By leveraging advanced genetic technologies, the companies aim to develop treatments that can improve health outcomes while expanding the application of precision medicine in veterinary care.
Commenting on the achievement, Andrew Worden, Founding Partner at Lifespan Vision Ventures, said the financing and collaboration represent a significant milestone for Rejuvenate Bio. He noted that Merck Animal Health’s participation as both an investor and research partner highlights confidence in the company’s scientific capabilities, technology platform and long-term vision. He added that Lifespan Vision Ventures remains committed to supporting Rejuvenate Bio as it works to address critical unmet medical needs in both companion animal and human healthcare.
Rejuvenate Bio is developing gene therapies that target biological pathways linked to aging, with the objective of extending healthy lifespan and treating chronic diseases. The company’s research spans veterinary and human health applications, focusing on targeted genetic interventions that have the potential to transform the treatment of age-associated disorders.
The latest investment and strategic collaboration are expected to accelerate product development, strengthen research capabilities and position Rejuvenate Bio for the next phase of growth in the rapidly evolving gene therapy and animal health sectors. The agreement also highlights increasing investment in innovative biotechnology platforms that support healthier aging and advanced therapeutic solutions for both animals and, potentially, future human applications.
