Entrepreneurship, Longevity, and Biotech Conference 2023: Paving the Way for Age-Defying Solutions

The pursuit of longevity and age-defying solutions is reaching new heights, most recently with the recent Entrepreneurship, Longevity, and Biotech Conference held on March 24, 2023, at FAU’s College of Business. Sponsored by the Madden Center for Value Creation and in collaboration with FAU Health, experts from all around the country gathered to share their insights and ideas. The lineup of renowned industry leaders include Diane Abbitt, Omar Abudayyeh, Joe Betts-Lacroix, Janice Chen, Nathan Cheng, Allison Duettmann, Chandra Duggirala, Amanda Elam, Agustin Fernandez III, Leonardo Ferreira, Jonathan Gootenberg, Eric Hargan, Bryan Johnson, Bob Langer, Geoffrey Ling, Jeff Madden, Jim O'Neill, James Peyer, Walter Schmidt, Richard Serbin, Alfred Slanetz, Siri Terjesen, and Andre Watson, bringing unique perspectives to the table.

Conference attendees were treated to a range of discussions, from investing in longevity to the science of startups. The speakers shared their expertise and experiences, delving into the latest developments in the industry, including gene therapy, companies that impact longevity research, and treatment delivery through nanosized delivery systems. These discussions explored how to optimize regenerative, personalized, and precision medicine, providing valuable insights into the future of the biotech and longevity industries.

During the conference, ADvantage Therapeutics, Inc. made an exciting announcement regarding their lead compound AD04™. The MHRA, the UK's equivalent of the FDA, granted the company an Innovation Passport for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD), providing an accelerated pathway to approval, commercialization, and patient access. The company is eager to begin their Phase 2B clinical trial in the UK and EU, including Germany and France. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the industry, bringing life-changing treatments for AD patients.

Another breakthrough was shared by Walter Schmidt, Director mRNA Division and co-founder of ADvantage Therapeutics Inc., about the incredible potential of protein called soluble Klotho. This protein has the ability to generate new nerve cells, protect the brain's nerve cells, and reduce cellular stress in Alzheimer's patients. Soluble Klotho's inhibition of glucose uptake into cells is also the primary anti-aging effect of Klotho. With ADvantage Therapeutics' proprietary Klotho mRNAs being more than five times as potent as native Klotho mRNA, this breakthrough may revolutionize treatments for Alzheimer's and promote anti-aging effects.

Aside from the exciting breakthroughs in longevity research, the conference was also an opportunity for people to connect and share their passion for innovation. The sense of community and collaboration was palpable throughout the event, with attendees forging new relationships and partnerships that will shape the future of the industry.

With the development of such exciting breakthroughs, the Madden Center for Value Creation’s Entrepreneurship, Longevity, and Biotech Conference has truly paved the way for age-defying solutions. The insights shared at the conference have the potential to shape the future of the biotech and longevity industries, ultimately benefiting the health and well-being of the community. As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation, we are one step closer to achieving a world where people can live longer, healthier lives. We look forward to seeing the continued advancements in the field and to the next Entrepreneurship, Longevity, and Biotech Conference.

-FAU-