Rejuvenate and SAS team up to leverage AI for age-related diseases

Belgian biotechnology company Rejuvenate Biomed has partnered with SAS, a data and AI solutions firm, to develop a new tool aimed at repurposing existing drugs for the treatment of age-related diseases. This innovative tool is designed to streamline the analysis of biomedical data by utilizing SAS's advanced analytics capabilities. The primary objective is to uncover hidden biological patterns and interactions, enabling researchers to generate comprehensive reports through SAS visual analytics. The tool will be constructed on SAS Viya, a cloud-based AI and data platform.

The companies highlight that the tool is crafted to be easily operable by researchers with limited coding expertise, while still being powerful enough for more experienced teams tackling complex biological issues. This dual approach aims to democratize the use of advanced analytics in biomedical research, making it accessible to a broader range of scientists.

Rejuvenate Biomed, established in 2017, successfully raised €15.7 million ($16.9 million) in a Series B funding round in 2021. This round was spearheaded by Zürich-based Rejuveron Life Sciences and added to a €3.2 million ($3.46 million) Series A raised earlier the same year. The funding has been instrumental in advancing Rejuvenate's research and development efforts. The company has developed five assets via its CombinAge and CelegAge drug delivery platforms. Among these, its leading drug, RJx-01, has shown promising results in a Phase I trial for sarcopenia—a condition characterized by muscle loss—and is now ready for Phase II testing.

Rejuvenate's CEO, Ann Beliën, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with SAS, noting that it enhances the core strengths of their research and development teams. She believes that leveraging SAS Viya’s capabilities will significantly reduce risks and accelerate the development process of their internal portfolio. This collaboration is also expected to strengthen Rejuvenate's discovery platform and improve their partnering opportunities.

As life expectancy increases and the global population ages, the healthcare sector is seeing a surge in innovations driven by artificial intelligence. A notable study published in June 2024 in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence introduced a new deep neural network model designed for the early diagnosis and intervention of osteoporosis, a common metabolic disorder in the elderly. This model employs an effective algorithm that could revolutionize the early treatment of this prevalent condition.

AI is also playing a significant role beyond treatment applications. Experts in the field emphasize the potential of generative AI, large language models, and robotics in educating people about healthcare needs from an early age. This approach aims to ensure optimal ageing and improve overall well-being as individuals grow older.

According to a report from GlobalData’s Medical Intelligence Center, the AI market in medicine was valued at $336 million in 2022 and is projected to grow to $1.2 billion by 2027. This rapid growth underscores the increasing importance and integration of AI in the healthcare sector, highlighting its potential to transform medical research, diagnostics, and patient care.

In summary, the collaboration between Rejuvenate Biomed and SAS represents a significant step forward in harnessing AI and data analytics to address age-related diseases. This partnership not only aims to streamline drug repurposing efforts but also seeks to democratize access to advanced analytical tools, fostering innovation and accelerating the development of new treatments.

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