“We cannot solve our [medical] problems with the same level of thinking that created them.” —Albert Einstein
Exponential Therapeutics is a biotechnology company focused on developing small molecule therapies that target one of the fundamental drivers of aging: loss of cellular regenerative capacity.
As cells divide over time, their telomeres progressively shorten. When telomeres become critically short, cells either undergo apoptosis (die) or enter a senescent state—losing normal function, altering gene expression, and contributing to tissue dysfunction and age-related disease.
Our research focuses on restoring cellular function by targeting human telomerase reverse transcriptase, or hTERT, a key regulator of telomerase activity and cellular longevity.
Unlike most gene therapies, our small molecule approach allows this to be done in a controllable, dose adjustable, and reversible manner, which increases safety.
DISEASE TARGETS
Because cellular senescence and telomere dysfunction are involved in many age-related diseases, our research may have application across multiple tissue types and disease areas, including:
- Neurodegenerative diseases involving microglial cells and astrocytes
- Cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and stroke, involving vascular endothelial cells
- Hepatic cirrhosis involving hepatocytes
- Pulmonary fibrosis involving alveolar epithelial cells
- Chronic kidney disease involving renal tubular epithelial cells
- Hormonal deficiencies involving endocrine cells
- Osteoporosis involving osteoblasts
- Osteoarthritis involving chondrocytes
- Immunosenescence involving T lymphocytes
- Aplastic anemia involving hematopoietic stem cells
- Skin aging, wrinkles, and wound healing involving fibroblasts and keratinocytes
- Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome and dyskeratosis congenita involving multiple cell types
OUR APPROACH
We are developing small molecules designed to induce hTERT expression, increase telomerase activity, and allow controlled, reversible activation.
This approach fundamentally differs from gene therapy strategies. Rather than creating persistent expression that may be difficult to regulate, small molecules offer the potential for transient activation, dose adjustment, simplified delivery, and broader clinical accessibility.
WHY TELOMERASE
Telomere shortening is strongly associated with cellular senescence, impaired tissue regeneration, altered gene expression, age-related disease progression, and genomic instability – which is a known driver of disease and cancer.
Emerging evidence suggests that restoring telomerase activity will likely improve cellular function, support genomic stability, and enhance tissue repair and regeneration.
SAFETY
We recognize that telomerase biology is complex and often misunderstood. While telomerase is active in many cancers, hTERT expression alone is not sufficient to drive oncogenesis. On the other hand, short telomeres themselves contribute to genomic instability and cancer. Therefore, controlled activation is the likely key to safety.
A more fruitful question is not simply whether telomerase can be activated, but whether it can be activated safely, temporarily, and under control.
Our development strategy prioritizes transient activation, dose optimization, multi-pathway safety evaluation, RNA sequencing, and toxicity pathway analysis.
CURRENT STATUS
Our work is currently at the in vitro stage. We have demonstrated increased hTERT expression confirmed by qPCR, increased telomerase activity validated by TRAP assay, and reproducible results using appropriate controls.
Telomere length studies are currently in planning. Expansion into organoid and in vivo systems will be performed as soon as practical.
PIPELINE
We have identified approximately 30 small molecule compounds that induce hTERT expression. From these, approximately five lead candidates currently show the most promising activity profiles.
Our ongoing work focuses on lead compound optimization, cytotoxicity characterization, broader safety evaluation, and validation of telomere-related functional outcomes.
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
We are seeking seed funding to advance in vitro safety validation, telomere length analysis, lead compound optimization, organoid studies, and early in vivo testing.
Model systems will include, human cell lines, organoids, C. elegans lifespan assays, and mouse toxicity studies.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
We are seeking $3,000,000 in seed funding to complete proof-of-concept validation and early in vivo testing, over 18-24 months.
Key milestones include demonstrating simultaneous efficacy and safety, validating results across multiple biological systems, and optimizing lead compounds for further preclinical development.
Our operation has been very capital efficient by biotech and pharma R&D standards, by making use of university lab facilities and contracted lab facilities.
MISSION / GOAL
Our mission is to develop therapies for diseases involving cellular senescence, impaired gene expression, and telomere dysfunction.
There is evidence that telomere length can function as an epigenetic regulator of gene expression, at least for some genes. We believe this makes telomere biology one of the most important intervention points in aging and age-related disease.
Our intermediate goal is to conduct in vivo toxicology and preclinical studies for an ingestible, reversible, dose-adjustable, telomerase-inducing drug.
Like many of you, our long-term goal is to cure age-related diseases and extend human healthspan and lifespan, including our own.
OUR TEAM
Exponential Therapeutics is led by a focused team with backgrounds in biotechnology, biology, organic chemistry, and hands-on laboratory research. Our approach reflects direct experience working with complex biological systems, combined with a long-standing commitment to understanding the mechanisms that drive aging and cellular function.
Robert Blake, co-founder of Exponential Therapeutics, holds a Master’s degree in Biotechnology and is a certified Medical Technologist. With over a decade of experience in biopharmaceutical and laboratory settings —including clinical, pre-clinical, and in vitro research— his work has consistently centered on advancing scientific understanding in complex biological systems. He has also maintained a focused interest in longevity science for over two decades.
Tober Pawlik, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and began working full-time in a privately funded research laboratory focused on aging during her undergraduate studies. Her early experience in experimental research established a foundation in molecular biology and laboratory methodology, which she has continued to build upon through independent study and applied scientific work. Tober is also an accomplished small business entrepreneur. She has developed and operated a product-based business centered on formulation, ingredient analysis, and system-level thinking in biological applications. This combination of scientific foundation and practical execution informs the structured, hypothesis-driven approach taken at Exponential Therapeutics.
Anonymous Organic Chemist: A third key member of our team is an organic chemist who holds a PhD in organic chemistry, and has twenty years of experience working in medicinal chemistry. This individual prefers to remain anonymous for personal reasons. (Note: Synthesis routes, compound records, assay history, and lead-candidate documentation are preserved in secure company-controlled records. CRO path for synthesis exists if necessary.)
In addition to its founding team, Exponential Therapeutics works with specialized expertise in molecular design and compound evaluation. Due to the early-stage nature of this work and the importance of protecting intellectual property, certain contributors remain confidential.
Our research has been supported through a combination of private funding and internal investment. While aspects of prior work remain confidential, this structure has allowed us to pursue high-risk, early-stage scientific questions with a high degree of independence and focus.
We operate using a flexible laboratory model, accessing specialized research environments as needed based on the specific requirements of each phase of development. This approach allows us to leverage advanced instrumentation and technical capabilities without the constraints of maintaining fixed infrastructure.
By utilizing academic, shared and contract laboratory resources, we are able to remain capital-efficient while maintaining access to a broader range of equipment and methodologies than would be practical within a single dedicated facility.
Exponential Therapeutics is currently a self-funded initiative, driven by a commitment to answering a fundamental scientific question: whether telomerase activity can be controlled in a way that is both safe and therapeutically meaningful.
We believe that meaningful progress in this field requires focus, independence, and a willingness to challenge long-standing assumptions.
For more information, please see our FAQs. Thank you for your interest in Exponential Therapeutics.
