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Aging Target

Category: AI in Biotech / Drug Discovery

An AI-integrated biotechnology platform focused on discovering and developing next-generation therapeutics for age-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Aging Target was founded in 2021. The company is led by Kim Byung-mo. Based in Uiwang-si, South Korea. Team size: 5-15. Total funding raised: $2.5M+. Latest round: Selected for Gyeonggi WINGS/TIPS program (Sep 2024) - 노화 질환 치료제 개발; 특정 금액 미공개. Key investors include Withus Pharmaceutical, Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT).

Founded
2021
Headquarters
Uiwang-si, South Korea
Team size
5-15
Total funding
$2.5M+

Value proposition

Reduces the time and cost of drug discovery for complex aging-related pathologies by utilizing an AI platform that identifies novel multi-target candidate materials based on deep biological expertise in aging mechanisms.

Products and solutions

Multi-target High-efficacy Alzheimer's Treatment (Targeting DAPK1 and related pathways), Non-neuronal Aging Target Alzheimer's Drug, Vascular Aging Target Atherosclerosis Treatment, Radiation Therapy Efficacy Enhancer (Targeting acquired resistance in cancer cells)

Unique value

Foundational expertise in DAPK1 (Death-associated protein kinase 1) as a central driver of aging pathology, allowing the company to target the root causes of neurodegeneration and vascular aging rather than just symptoms.

Target customer

Global pharmaceutical companies (for licensing), research institutions, and healthcare providers focused on geriatric medicine.

Industries served

Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, Healthcare AI, Gerontology

Technology advantage

Combines high-impact academic research in pharmacology (from CEO's tenure at Yonsei University) with AI-driven virtual screening and multi-omics data analysis to validate complex targets that traditional drug discovery methods often miss.

How they differentiate

Focuses on DAPK1 (Death-associated protein kinase 1) as a central driver of aging pathology, enabling a multi-target approach that addresses neurodegeneration and vascular aging simultaneously, whereas many competitors focus on single targets like amyloid-beta or tau.

Main competitors

Standigm, Pharos iBio, Deargen, Syntekabio

Key partnerships

Withus Pharmaceutical (Strategic investor and joint R&D partner for dementia treatments), Yonsei University College of Medicine (R&D collaboration), Korea Credit Guarantee Fund (KODIT - Financial/Investment partner), Gyeonggi-do G-TIPS Program (Public technology commercialization support)

Notable customers

Withus Pharmaceutical (Strategic R&D Partner)

Major milestones

Founded in January 2021 by Professor Kim Byung-mo (Yonsei University), Selected for 'Innovative Enterprise State Representative 1000' in 2021, Closed Pre-Series A funding round in July 2023, Selected for Gyeonggi-do's WINGS (G-TIPS) technology support program in September 2024, Targeted entry into non-clinical (pre-clinical) trials for Alzheimer's treatment in 2025

Growth metrics

Strategic equity partnership with Withus Pharmaceutical (30% stake acquisition in 2023); Selected for 'Gyeonggi WINGS' (G-TIPS) for rapid commercialization.

Market positioning

Early-stage AI-driven biotechnology challenger specializing in age-related diseases.

Geographic focus

South Korea (Core R&D), Global (Licensing and clinical expansion targets).

Patents and IP

Holds intellectual property related to DAPK1-mediated protein phosphorylation inhibitors and proprietary chemical structures for multi-target neuroprotective compounds (based on the founder's research publications and 'Innovative Enterprise State Representative 1000' recognition).

About Kim Byung-mo

Kim Byung-mo is a leading expert in aging-related diseases and pharmacology. Before founding Aging Target, he served as a Professor at the Yonsei University College of Medicine (Department of Pharmacology). He holds a Ph.D. from Yonsei University and has conducted extensive research on Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and neurodegeneration, with high-impact publications in journals like Translational Neurodegeneration. He led the company to be recognized as an 'Innovative Enterprise State Representative 1000' and secured strategic investments from Withus Pharmaceutical.

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