By Brad Sorensen, CFA
READ THE FULL TELO RESEARCH REPORT
Telomir Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TELO) is a preclinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a product designed to lengthen the DNA’s protective telomere caps. Previously reported preclinical tests have shown evidence that Telomir-1, the company’s primary therapy, can lengthen telomeres and initial animal testing illustrates the potential impact. In fact, the company recently released results from one of those tests, which, according to CEO Erez Aminov, “confirms Telomir-1 can reverse biologic aging, extending life while preserving health.”
The company continues to expand its potential portfolio and just announced some of the most encouraging test results to date for the approximately 20 million Americans suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (CDC). Preclinical results from a study evaluating Telomir-1 in a genetically modified zebrafish model of AMD. According to the company, following a 14-day oral dosing regimen, Telomir-1 reversed central vision response and vision acuity, restored retinal degeneration and architecture, and significantly reduced oxidative stress.
The company detailed the results by noting that the zebrafish showed clear signs of neurodegeneration and visual impairment. Analysis showed that the animals had approximately 15% total retinal degeneration, which affected multiple critical layers.
- The inner nuclear layer (INL) was thinned. This layer acts as the retina’s central processing zone, where signals from light-sensitive photoreceptors are refined before being passed deeper into the eye.
- The ganglion cell layer (GCL) was degraded. This layer contains neurons that form the optic nerve, which sends visual information to the brain. Damage here disrupts vision at its source.
- The inner plexiform layer (IPL) volume was reduced. IPL is a retinal layer located between the inner nuclear layer (INL) and the ganglion cell layer (GCL). It may contribute to disease processes through inner retinal changes, inflammation, or vitreoretinal interactions.
- The outer plexiform layer (OPL) showed early deterioration. This layer connects photoreceptors to other retinal cells and is essential for detecting changes in light and contrast.
After receiving Telomir-1, the company reported that the treated animals showed a substantial recovery, which included structural retinal architecture being restored:
- Full recovery of INL thickness, restoring core signal processing in the retina.
- Improved GCL integrity, reactivating the transmission of visual information to the brain.
- Significant augmentation of IPL size, indicating improved processing of visual signals
- Improvement of OPL structure, maintaining input from photoreceptors.
And all of this improvement was the result of a short oral regimen, which would make the treatment easily accessible to millions of patients.
This announcement adds to the portfolio at Telomir and adds to the list of conditions that the company can address. As we’ve noted before, Telomir-1 has the potential to treat various conditions by attacking the underlying causes of the conditions and not just the symptoms. The company is continuing to zero in on all of the mechanisms that cause Telomir-1 to have these positive impacts and recently explained that Telomir-1 is designed to normalize iron homeostasis, reducing oxidative stress and improving insulin sensitivity, setting it apart from existing drugs that primarily treat symptoms without addressing these underlying causes. Excess iron levels contribute to oxidative stress, beta-cell damage, and insulin resistance across key tissues and reducing these levels could have a major impact on a wide variety of conditions.
Lastly, another very important development, the company, announced that it raised $3 million in equity financing through a direct investment and the transaction was very shareholder friendly. There were no warrants, discounts or convertible features involved. This continues this company’s outstanding record of raising needed funds in a shareholder friendly way.
It’s this extensive experience, stellar management and record of success, combined with the test results we’ve seen at this stage of the process that makes us excited about the potential for Telomir-1 and Telomir-Ag2 and the company that develops them. We urge investors who have a higher risk tolerance to take a look at TELO and consider investing in a company at an early stage that has a large potential upside, with a low float and positive news flow likely to continue in the near future, providing potential fuel to the stock.
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