撰文丨王聪 编辑丨王多鱼 排版丨水成文 不良的宫内环境暴露可诱导表观遗传重编程，并在关键发育阶段改变基因表达，从而增加将来患慢性疾病的风险。妊娠期最常见的并发症—— 妊娠期糖尿病 （GDM） 等 宫内高糖 （Intrauterine hyperglycemia，IUHG） 会对后代健康产生深远且持久的影响。然而，IUHG 对后代生殖系统不良影响的分子机制，在很 大程度上仍未被探索。 2025 年 9 月 9 日， 黄荷凤 院士团队等在 Cell Discovery 期刊 发表了题为： Intrauterine hyperglycemia impairs mouse primordial germ cell development and fertility by sex-specific epigenetic reprogramming interference 的研究论文。 不良的宫内环境 （例如 宫内高糖 ） 会损害有性生殖和物种延续，但其潜在机制，目前仍知之甚少。 原始生殖细胞 （PGC） 是将来形成 卵子 和 精子 的"种子细胞"，其正常发育和表观遗传重编程是保证生殖健康和物种延续的关键环节。在这项最 ...

Core Insights - NewLimit, a startup focused on epigenetic reprogramming, raised $130 million in Series B funding led by Kleiner Perkins, with participation from existing investors like Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures, to address global health challenges posed by an aging population [1][15][16] - The company aims to leverage AI-driven epigenetic reprogramming technology to tackle the pressing issue of "healthy aging," as the global population aged 60 and above is projected to increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 2.1 billion by 2050 [1][15] Company Overview - Founded in 2021 by Brian Armstrong, co-founder of Coinbase, and Blake Byers, a former partner at Google Ventures, NewLimit embodies a "tech + bio" hybrid model, integrating venture capital and scientific expertise [2][3] - The company currently employs 34 scientists, engineers, and staff, with over 90% in technical roles, reflecting its commitment to innovation at the intersection of biotechnology and artificial intelligence [2] Scientific Foundation - NewLimit's approach is based on significant scientific discoveries, including the work of Shinya Yamanaka, who demonstrated that activating four key transcription factors can partially restore the youthful state of aging human skin cells [5][6] - The company aims to identify small molecules that can precisely modulate cellular epigenetic states, effectively "resetting" cells to a more youthful functional phenotype [5][6] Technological Advancements - NewLimit's "discovery engine" integrates high-throughput experimental platforms with AI predictive models, significantly enhancing the efficiency of drug target identification by hundreds of times [6] - The company has made substantial progress in transitioning from basic research to preclinical applications, with a focus on liver function restoration and immune rejuvenation [7][9] Clinical Applications - NewLimit's pipeline includes promising applications such as: - Liver function restoration targeting liver cells, with lead compound M003 showing an 85% recovery rate in alcoholic liver disease models [8][9] - Immune rejuvenation through specific transcription factor combinations that restore the functionality of aging CD8+ T cells [8][9] - The company has achieved key breakthroughs, including the establishment of a lipid nanoparticle delivery system for mRNA, facilitating the development of both small and large molecule therapies [9][11] Market Context - The global anti-aging market is projected to reach $348.3 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of nearly 5%, driven by the increasing population aged 60 and above [15][17] - NewLimit's funding trajectory reflects strong investor confidence in its technological approach and the broader trend of major tech companies entering the longevity economy [15][17] Implications for the Industry - NewLimit's development path offers insights for the Chinese anti-aging industry, emphasizing the importance of platform-based approaches, cross-disciplinary teams, and targeted applications in quantifiable functional restoration [19][20] - With ongoing advancements in AI, big data, and biomanufacturing, China is positioned to carve out a sustainable path in anti-aging technology development, contributing to high-quality growth in the biopharmaceutical sector [19][20]

Core Viewpoint - NewLimit aims to develop epigenetic reprogramming therapies to extend healthy lifespan and address aging-related diseases, having recently completed a $130 million Series B funding round, raising its valuation to $810 million [2][3]. Company Overview - NewLimit was founded in 2022 by experts including Blake Byers, Brian Armstrong, and Jacob Kimmel, focusing on epigenetic reprogramming to restore youthful functions in aging cells [2][3]. - The company has previously raised $150 million and is now valued at $810 million following the latest funding round [2]. Technology and Research Focus - NewLimit's primary goal is to develop drugs that reprogram aging cells to extend healthy lifespan, utilizing advanced technologies such as single-cell genomics, epigenetic editing, and machine learning [3]. - The company is currently working on a liver regeneration mRNA therapy aimed at treating aging-related diseases, with plans to advance it to clinical trials [3][7]. - The lead drug delivery method involves lipid nanoparticles (LNP) to deliver mRNA to liver cells, encoding transcription factors that rejuvenate cellular functions [7]. Long-term Vision and Market Strategy - NewLimit's long-term vision is to significantly extend human healthspan, with initial projects targeting the restoration of functions in aging liver, immune, and vascular systems [3]. - The company plans to follow a similar expansion strategy as GLP-1 drugs, starting with alcohol-related liver disease and potentially extending to broader metabolic syndrome treatments [4][7]. Industry Trends - The focus on extending "healthspan" is gaining traction, as evidenced by the recent launch of Etiome, a preventive medicine biotech company, which also aims to enhance human healthspan [8].