Northstrive Biosciences Signs Partnership with Yuva Biosciences to Develop AI-Powered Therapies for Obesity and Cardiometabolic Diseases
Northstrive Biosciences, a subsidiary of PMGC Holdings (NASDAQ: ELAB), has entered into a Development and License Agreement with Yuva Biosciences to develop AI-powered therapies for obesity and cardiometabolic diseases. The collaboration will utilize YuvaBio's proprietary MitoNova™ platform to discover novel pharmaceutical treatments.
The partnership focuses on developing compounds that promote mitochondrial health and target cellular aging. YuvaBio will provide Northstrive with exclusive worldwide licensing rights for therapeutic products in cardiac diseases and obesity. The multi-phase collaboration includes in silico modeling, virtual compound screening, and experimental testing.
The agreement includes: (1) an upfront fee and phase-completion payments, (2) developmental milestone payments, and (3) royalties on net sales of therapeutic products containing compounds identified through the program.
Northstrive Biosciences, una filiale di PMGC Holdings (NASDAQ: ELAB), ha stipulato un Accordo di Sviluppo e Licenza con Yuva Biosciences per sviluppare terapie basate sull'IA per l'obesità e le malattie cardiometaboliche. La collaborazione utilizzerà la piattaforma proprietaria MitoNova™ di YuvaBio per scoprire nuovi trattamenti farmaceutici.
Il partenariato si concentra sullo sviluppo di composti che promuovono la salute mitocondriale e mirano all'invecchiamento cellulare. YuvaBio fornirà a Northstrive diritti di licenza esclusivi a livello mondiale per prodotti terapeutici nelle malattie cardiache e nell'obesità. La collaborazione, articolata in più fasi, comprende modellazione in silico, screening virtuale dei composti e test sperimentali.
L'accordo include: (1) una tassa iniziale e pagamenti per il completamento delle fasi, (2) pagamenti per traguardi di sviluppo e (3) royalties sulle vendite nette di prodotti terapeutici contenenti composti identificati attraverso il programma.
Northstrive Biosciences, una subsidiaria de PMGC Holdings (NASDAQ: ELAB), ha firmado un Acuerdo de Desarrollo y Licencia con Yuva Biosciences para desarrollar terapias impulsadas por IA para la obesidad y enfermedades cardiometabólicas. La colaboración utilizará la plataforma propietaria MitoNova™ de YuvaBio para descubrir nuevos tratamientos farmacéuticos.
La asociación se centra en desarrollar compuestos que promuevan la salud mitocondrial y aborden el envejecimiento celular. YuvaBio proporcionará a Northstrive derechos de licencia exclusivos a nivel mundial para productos terapéuticos en enfermedades cardíacas y obesidad. La colaboración, que se llevará a cabo en múltiples fases, incluye modelado in silico, cribado virtual de compuestos y pruebas experimentales.
El acuerdo incluye: (1) una tarifa inicial y pagos por la finalización de fases, (2) pagos por hitos de desarrollo y (3) regalías sobre las ventas netas de productos terapéuticos que contengan compuestos identificados a través del programa.
Northstrive Biosciences는 PMGC Holdings (NASDAQ: ELAB)의 자회사로, Yuva Biosciences와 함께 비만 및 심혈관 대사 질환을 위한 AI 기반 치료제를 개발하기 위한 개발 및 라이센스 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 협력은 YuvaBio의 독점 플랫폼 MitoNova™를 활용하여 새로운 약리학적 치료제를 발견할 것입니다.
파트너십은 미토콘드리아 건강을 촉진하고 세포 노화를 목표로 하는 화합물 개발에 중점을 둡니다. YuvaBio는 Northstrive에 심장 질환 및 비만 치료 제품에 대한 전 세계 독점 라이센스 권리를 제공할 것입니다. 이 다단계 협력은 실리코 모델링, 가상 화합물 스크리닝 및 실험 테스트를 포함합니다.
계약에는 (1) 선급금 및 단계 완료 지급, (2) 개발 이정표 지급, (3) 프로그램을 통해 식별된 화합물이 포함된 치료 제품의 순매출에 대한 로열티가 포함됩니다.
Northstrive Biosciences, une filiale de PMGC Holdings (NASDAQ: ELAB), a conclu un Accord de Développement et de Licence avec Yuva Biosciences pour développer des thérapies basées sur l'IA pour l'obésité et les maladies cardiométaboliques. La collaboration utilisera la plateforme propriétaire MitoNova™ de YuvaBio pour découvrir de nouveaux traitements pharmaceutiques.
Le partenariat se concentre sur le développement de composés qui favorisent la santé mitochondriale et ciblent le vieillissement cellulaire. YuvaBio fournira à Northstrive des droits de licence exclusifs à l'échelle mondiale pour des produits thérapeutiques dans les maladies cardiaques et l'obésité. La collaboration en plusieurs phases comprend la modélisation in silico, le criblage virtuel de composés et des tests expérimentaux.
L'accord comprend : (1) des frais initiaux et des paiements liés à l'achèvement des phases, (2) des paiements pour les jalons de développement et (3) des redevances sur les ventes nettes de produits thérapeutiques contenant des composés identifiés par le programme.
Northstrive Biosciences, eine Tochtergesellschaft von PMGC Holdings (NASDAQ: ELAB), hat einen Entwicklungs- und Lizenzvertrag mit Yuva Biosciences abgeschlossen, um KI-gestützte Therapien für Fettleibigkeit und kardiometabolische Krankheiten zu entwickeln. Die Zusammenarbeit wird die proprietäre MitoNova™-Plattform von YuvaBio nutzen, um neuartige pharmazeutische Behandlungen zu entdecken.
Der Fokus der Partnerschaft liegt auf der Entwicklung von Verbindungen, die die mitochondriale Gesundheit fördern und die zelluläre Alterung ansprechen. YuvaBio wird Northstrive exklusive weltweite Lizenzrechte für therapeutische Produkte bei Herzerkrankungen und Fettleibigkeit gewähren. Die mehrphasige Zusammenarbeit umfasst In-silico-Modellierung, virtuelles Screening von Verbindungen und experimentelle Tests.
Der Vertrag umfasst: (1) eine Vorauszahlung und Zahlungen bei Abschluss der Phasen, (2) Entwicklungsmeilensteinzahlungen und (3) Lizenzgebühren auf den Nettoumsatz von therapeutischen Produkten, die durch das Programm identifizierte Verbindungen enthalten.
- Exclusive worldwide licensing rights for therapeutic products
- Access to advanced AI-powered drug discovery platform
- Expansion of cardiometabolic disease pipeline
- Risk-sharing payment structure with milestone-based payments
- Ongoing royalty payment obligations to Yuva Biosciences
- No guaranteed success in drug development outcomes
- Financial terms of upfront and milestone payments not disclosed
Insights
This partnership between Northstrive and Yuva Biosciences represents an interesting strategic expansion into the intersection of two cutting-edge fields: mitochondrial science and AI-driven drug discovery. The collaboration targets the obesity and cardiometabolic disease space - markets with substantial commercial potential given the global prevalence of these conditions.
The technical approach merits attention as it targets mitochondrial dysfunction, which emerging research suggests plays a fundamental role in metabolic disorders. Rather than merely addressing symptoms, this mitochondria-centric strategy aims to intervene at the cellular level - potentially enabling more effective therapeutic outcomes if successful.
YuvaBio's MitoNova platform brings computational efficiency to traditionally time-consuming drug discovery processes. The multi-phase collaboration structure - moving from in silico modeling to experimental validation - reflects a systematic approach to candidate identification and risk reduction before committing significant resources to clinical development.
However, investors should recognize that despite the promising scientific rationale, this represents early-stage pipeline development. The pathway from computational discovery to approved therapy typically spans many years, involves substantial capital investment, and carries significant technical risk. The milestone-based payment structure appropriately aligns incentives while managing financial exposure during this developmental uncertainty.
This deal structure exemplifies an increasingly common approach in pharmaceutical business development: accessing external innovation through structured collaborations rather than building all capabilities in-house. For ELAB, this provides pipeline expansion opportunities without the full capital burden of internal platform development.
The agreement's financial mechanics follow standard industry practice with the three-tiered approach of upfront payment, developmental milestones, and commercial royalties. While specific terms remain undisclosed, this structure allows Northstrive to manage financial exposure by linking significant payments to technical and commercial achievement.
Strategically, entering the obesity and metabolic disease space represents pursuit of substantial market opportunity. The cardiometabolic therapeutic area has demonstrated strong commercial potential with multiple blockbuster products. However, competition in this space is intense, with established treatments and several innovative approaches under development.
The AI drug discovery approach potentially accelerates development timelines and improves candidate quality through computational screening of vast compound libraries. This may ultimately reduce later-stage clinical failures - one of the most expensive aspects of drug development.
For investors, this deal represents positive strategic direction with appropriate risk management through the staged payment structure. However, any meaningful revenue impact remains distant, contingent on successful compound identification, preclinical validation, clinical development, and regulatory approval.
- Northstrive Biosciences and Yuva Biosciences’ collaboration will leverage MitoNova™, YuvaBio’s proprietary mitochondrial science-focused artificial intelligence platform, to discover and develop novel pharmaceutical treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions.
- Northstrive and Yuva Biosciences will compile a library of small molecule candidates that promote mitochondrial health and target the root cause of aging at the cellular level.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northstrive Biosciences Inc. (“Northstrive” or “Northstrive Biosciences”), a subsidiary of PMGC Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ELAB) (“PMGC,” “we,” or “our”), announced today that it has entered into a Development and License Agreement (“Agreement”) with Yuva Biosciences, Inc. (“YuvaBio” or “Yuva Biosciences”) to discover and develop novel pharmaceutical treatments for obesity, type 2 diabetes and other cardiometabolic conditions using YuvaBio’s proprietary, mitochondrial science-focused platform MitoNova, powered by artificial intelligence (“AI”).
The Agreement provides for the parties’ collaboration on an AI Development Program (“Program” or “AI Development Program”). As part of this Program, YuvaBio will develop mitochondrial science related technology for Northstrive and identify drug candidates with the potential to improve mitochondrial health and cardiometabolic function. YuvaBio will then test its computational findings for biological activity on custom assays. YuvaBio will also grant Northstrive an exclusive, worldwide license to this developed technology to derive therapeutic products for cardiac diseases and obesity. Through this collaboration, the parties aim to integrate new methodologies into mitochondrial biology and discover outputs to expand Northstrive’s cardiometabolic disease pipeline.
The AI Development Program will combine YuvaBio’s proprietary AI platform with laboratory validation to identify and advance novel drug candidates targeting mitochondrial function. The multi-phase collaboration includes in silico modeling, virtual compound screening, and experimental testing to shortlist promising candidates for clinical development.
“Declining mitochondrial function not only accelerates aging but also plays a central role in numerous age-related disorders and other pathologies such as obesity,” said Greg Schmergel, Co-Founder and CEO of Yuva Biosciences. “With this collaboration, we will be leveraging our proprietary AI to discover compounds that are mitochondrial promoters and protectors and verify the findings with experimental wet lab testing.”
YuvaBio’s MitoNova provides an integrated suite of AI-enabled tools that analyze vast datasets and explore compound libraries across multiple dimensions of chemical and bioactivity properties. Leveraging a proprietary mitochondrial database and leading-edge AI models, MitoNova identifies compounds that target the root cause of aging and related conditions at the cellular level. Research teams can then utilize MitoNova to assess key factors such as bioavailability and safety to accelerate the transition from target discovery to biological validation.
“We are believers in leveraging AI to guide our drug development efforts and view mitochondrial health as a foundational pillar,” said Deniel Mero, Co-Founder of Northstrive Biosciences. “YuvaBio is the ideal partner for this collaboration, and we expect it to lead to the identification of several novel targets that may form the basis of differentiated cardiometabolic drug programs.”
In exchange for the rights and license granted to Northstrive under the Agreement, Yuva will receive: (i) an upfront fee upon the parties’ entry into the Agreement and payments made based on initiation and completion of phases in the Program, (ii) certain developmental milestone payments, and (iii) royalties on net sales of certain therapeutic cardiac disease and obesity products from Northstrive (or its affiliates, or sublicensees) which contain the final shortlist of promising compounds that YuvaBio identifies and recommends as a result of the Program.
About Northstrive Biosciences Inc.
Northstrive Biosciences Inc., a PMGC Holdings Inc. company, is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and acquisition of cutting-edge aesthetic medicines. Northstrive Biosciences’ lead asset, EL-22, leverages an engineered probiotic approach to address obesity’s pressing issue of preserving muscle while on weight loss treatments, including GLP-1 receptor agonists. For more information, please visit www.northstrivebio.com.
About PMGC Holdings Inc.
PMGC Holdings Inc. is a diversified holding company that manages and grows its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, investments, and development across various industries. Currently, our portfolio consists of three wholly owned subsidiaries: Northstrive Biosciences Inc., PMGC Research Inc., and PMGC Capital LLC. We are committed to exploring opportunities in multiple sectors to maximize growth and value. For more information, please visit https://www.pmgcholdings.com.
About Yuva Biosciences, Inc.
Yuva Biosciences is a longevity company harnessing the cutting edge of mitochondrial science to address the root cause of aging. By partnering with consumer brands and biotech innovators, Yuva Biosciences develops solutions for aging-related concerns including hair loss, skin wrinkles, and several other conditions driven by a decline in mitochondrial function. The company is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. For more information, please visit www.yuvabio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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