VFDP-13 - Approval for VITA-FAST experiment plan H1 2025

TLDR

We want to approve the upcoming series of experiments totalling up to $135K from now to August. This is scoped to result in a final

Background

Vita-FAST is developing new autophagy-inducing compounds for potential therapeutic applications and systemic cellular longevity. From the new chemical entities (NCE’s) ordered under VFDP-11 in Q4’24 three have been identified as having further development potential by their increased autophagy activity compared to commercial compounds (see community update call November 24 for potency results). These give us an excellent basis for the next phase of compound development.

Objective

To develop the VITA-FAST compounds to a lead candidate, with a target identified and understanding of mechanistic basis of the compounds healthspan and longevity effects on human cells. These experiments should allow us to define our lead molecule(s) for subsequent IND enabling activities such as murine safety experiments. We will also file IP for these compounds.

This plan is designed to allow the VITA-FAST project to hit project milestones (1) Lead compound, (2) Target ID, (3) Intellectual property and accordingly raise further financing and move the compounds into mammals and towards humans.

Plan

The plan is as follows: Firstly order a 2nd round of NCE’s already structurally refined by the VITA-FAST scientific team medicinal chemists. Understand these compounds effects on worms longevity (already approved under VFDP-12) and also their effect on worm healthspan. Then test the best compounds in human aging cell lines developed by Viktor Korolchuk. Secondly we will order a 3rd round of NCE’s for final refinements of the VITA-FAST compound. Finally we will file new Intellectual Property patenting the structures of any molecules we believe have value as human development candidates. This could be between 1 - 10 of the compounds developed over the next 6 months. Through this process we will continue to use of the facilities at University of Newcastle for the autophagy assays that are used to select the best compounds.

Cost Implications

The cost of the steps of this plan is $135K as laid out below. Accordingly we seek budget approval for:

The VITA-FAST project wallet currently has a value of $167,500K (as of 14th Feb 2025) and hence is sufficient to fund this plan with leeway.

Recommendation

VITA-FAST has developed potent and novel compounds - this proposal continues that development at a highly efficient price point utilising the suppliers already in place with quotes from each. We hence recommend this as a highly efficient way of hitting the milestones to generate value in the VITA-FAST project and raise further funding.

Reporting

Project data updates will be given through this period (one associated with each major experiment). Scientific data generated during this period and discussed at reporting meetings may influence decisions on next experiments, if so we will seek budget approval again with the community for any changes to this plan.