SF Corp. (STVF) – Geroprotectors as New Era in Regenerative Medicine within Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries

REDONDO BEACH, CA / ACCESSWIRE / August 31, 2015 / Most scientists agree that aging is universal across all species of life, from microscopic bacteria like E. coli to large, long-lived mammals like the bowhead whale. Intriguingly, many researchers are also staring to understand some of the fundamental drivers of aging that occur across all species. In humans, as we age we experience a wide variety of age-related diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease. The promise of “geroprotectors”, as therapies designed to influence the root causes of aging, is that they could delay all age-related diseases in parallel, providing a myriad of beneficial clinical effects.

Current Approaches:

Currently, one of the best studied approaches for reliably extending lifespan in animals models is calorie restriction, which may improve lifespan by 30% or more. The practice involves essentially starvation, where far fewer calories are consumed but without succumbing to malnutrition. Luckily, recent studies have shown that even partial fasting may have similar effects, where by reducing calories by 50% only on several days per month the same profound health benefits were experienced. In Okinawa, Japan, home to some of the oldest humans on the planet and known as a “longevity hotspot”, the rule is to eat until one is 80% full – known as “hara hachi bu”.

The U.S. National Institute of Health is actively exploring this field through the National Institute on Aging’s Interventions Testing Program (ITP), a multi-institutional study investigating treatments with the potential to extend lifespan and delay disease and dysfunction in mice. These studies have already confirmed that certain geroprotective compounds do exist and are effective in mice, including rapamycin, and FDA-approved drug for immunosuppression. Metformin is another putative geroprotective compound, and so potent that separate studies have demonstrated that diabetes patients using metformin actually live considerably longer than their “healthy”, diabetes-free peers.

Investing in Longevity:

There are many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies that are now actively performing research and development on geroprotectors, and investing in clinical research to ensure that these compounds can be safely used in man for treatment of a wide variety of age-related diseases. This provides investors with numerous opportunities to invest in the growing industry and to watch for regulatory catalysts.

Large biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies have long held interest in regenerative medicine, including stem cell medicine, and geroprotectors represent the dawn of a new age in this field. Through new insights in developmental and regenerative biology, researchers are beginning to harness fundamental repair mechanisms that target the underlying cause of disease, in an approach that may be far more effective than replacing cells “brick-by-brick”. Large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are already pursuing this form of research, Human Longevity, Inc., which was co-founded by Craig Venter, and that in August 2014 signed a deal with Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) to license its PSC-100 placental cell population for the development of therapeutics targeting age-related diseases like sarcopenia, which is the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle. Google has launched a regenerative medicine unit called California Life Company (“Calico”) that is investing heavily in aging research. Additional pharmaceutical companies such Sanofi, Baxter, and GlaxoSmithKline have invested in companies, most of them private, involved in aging research, or openly signaled their interest in the field.

Other smaller companies like Organovo Holdings Inc. (NYSE MKT: ONVO) are looking to reverse the effects of degenerating tissues and organs as well, by developing functional human tissues for therapeutic implants. Utilizing its proprietary platform, the company creates human tissue constructs in 3D that mimic native human tissue composition and architecture, while its bioprinting subsidiary provides prototyping and manufacturing.

Nearer Term Focus:

SF Corp. (OTCQB: STVF) is taking a unique approach in the sector by developing a novel bioinformatics platform that utilizes artificial intelligence and is deemed an “AI Scientist”. The platform aims to rapidly make sense of genomics data by using powerful machine learning algorithms that are more advanced than what most academic researchers use today. The platform is also combining genetics analysis with an automated reasoning engine, which is designed to provide new insights about regenerative medicine and biology. In terms of product development, the company is currently taking an approach geared towards the nutraceutical and functional food industries. However, through a novel understanding of the genetics and epigenetics of aging, it is also actively generating new drug targets, which could form the basis of new drug development programs and be out-licensed to pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry partners.

Over the past three years, SF Corp. has also developed several novel technologies for industrial production of stevia, a zero-calorie sweetener that is now widely used as a mainstream sugar substitute. The company’s recently announced #StartwithStevia Campaign aims to educate the public on simple ways to optimize their metabolic health, including mainly by foregoing sugary beverages. The campaign involves professional athletes, including current and former NFL players, while also highlighting their use of a ketosis diet, which involves elimination of sugar from their diets and has been reported to provide an advantaged metabolic state that improves performance. According to the World Health Organization, stevia intake could eventually replace 20% to 30% of all dietary sweeteners as a natural alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners like aspartame. The company is uniquely positioned to benefit from these trends as a leading publicly-traded producer and technology provider within the stevia industry.

SeeThruEquity recently published a research report issuing a $1.04 price target on the stock, which represents a significant premium from its current price of $0.125 per share, citing its innovative new technology, growing demand for stevia, and other potential catalysts.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.steviafirst.com.

Disclaimer:

Except for the historical information presented herein, matters discussed in this release contain forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Emerging Growth LLC is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide nor claims to provide investment advice or recommendations to readers of this release. Emerging Growth LLC may from time to time have a position in the securities mentioned herein and may increase or decrease such positions without notice. For making specific investment decisions, readers should seek their own advice. Emerging Growth LLC may be compensated for its services in the form of cash-based compensation or equity securities in the companies it writes about, or a combination of the two. For full disclosure please visit: http://secfilings.com/Disclaimer.aspx.

SOURCE: Emerging Growth LLC

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