A senolytic therapy to reverse atherosclerosis and extend healthy lifespan, targeting aging at its root with scalable, low-cost immunotherapy.

netcapital

Vertical Longevity Pharma is a preclinical biotechnology company developing a virus-like particle–based immunotherapy aimed at addressing a fundamental driver of human aging. The lead program targets senescent endothelial cells that accumulate in atherosclerotic vessels, with the initial focus on cardiovascular disease. The approach employs a Qβ virus-like particle presenting an extracellular epitope of a cell-surface protein enriched on senescent cells to elicit epitope-specific antibodies. This enables immune recognition and clearance of senescent endothelial cells while preserving healthy tissue, with the goal of reducing inflammatory and fibrotic signaling that sustains plaque formation and improving vascular function. The strategy seeks to enhance natural plaque repair mechanisms such as efferocytosis and reverse cholesterol transport. The product candidates are in the preclinical stage and have not been approved; safety and efficacy must be established in clinical trials.

The development plan comprises three parallel workstreams: translational pharmacology in relevant animal models, including non-human primates, to characterize immunogenicity, dose response, biomarkers, and plaque biology; chemistry, manufacturing, and controls to establish a scalable process for VLP assembly and peptide conjugation; and GLP toxicology and safety pharmacology to support an Investigational New Drug filing. The objective is to obtain orphan designation and IND approval, potentially followed by a combined Phase 1/2 design and regulatory exclusivity in the US and EU upon approval.

Clinically, the program envisions initial testing in a patient population with high unmet need in familial hypercholesterolemia, with subsequent expansion to broader cardiovascular prevention indications. Additional applications under exploration include ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary fibrosis, chronic kidney disease, metabolic disease, arthritis, pelvic organ prolapse, and vascular dementia, reflecting shared biology of senescent endothelial cell–related dysfunction. The approach conceives a durable pipeline and potential sublicensing partnerships.

Commercially, two paths are contemplated: a direct route to market in select geographies through a focused specialty-care model, and partnerships with established pharmaceutical companies for late-stage development and commercialization, potentially via regional licenses, co-development, or acquisition. Revenue would derive from product sales, milestone payments, and royalties in the partnered model. The longer horizon includes expanding the platform to additional senescence-linked indications, advanced internally at early clinical stages and then partnered for scale.

Intellectual property includes a Patent Cooperation Treaty filing describing compositions, epitopes, and methods of use for VLP-target constructs and dosing regimens. The founding team combines expertise in immunology, aging biology, bioinformatics, VLP design, and translational program management, complemented by academic advisors and clinical collaborators in cardiovascular medicine and imaging. The company operates with a disciplined capital plan aligned to key milestones, emphasizing rigorous science, patient safety, and regulatory compliance. The overarching objective is to transform cardiovascular care by addressing a root driver of aging and to build a scalable immunotherapy platform applicable to multiple age-related conditions.

Dr. David Scieszka

Founder and CEO

Zory Shaposhnik

Science and Business Advisor

James Hamet

Business and Finance Advisor

Dr. Bryce Chackerian

Scientific Advisor

Dr. Kylie Kavanagh

Scientific Advisor and Study Design

Dr. Frank Vizesi

Business and Scientific Advisor

Vertical Longevity Pharma

The company says it secured funding through institutional and Netcapital investments to engage a non-human primate study with academic collaborators, noting this as a major biotech milestone. The current Netcapital offering remains open.

Vertical Longevity Pharma Secures Funding for Non-Human Primate Study

Vertical Longevity Pharma announced it has successfully surpassed the $10,000 funding milestone on its Netcapital campaign. The company said it is aiming for a next milestone of $25,000 and invited supporters to share the offering link.

Vertical Longevity Pharma surpasses $10,000 funding milestone on Netcapital