CVX Pipeline: Three Programs in Active Development
Klotho upregulation for neurodegeneration. FOXO3 pathway modulation for age-related biology. A CNS-LNP delivery platform to underpin both. All discovery or early preclinical — no clinical data.
Candidate Programs
Three candidates. All preclinical. No approved products, no clinical data, no human studies. Discovery stage means computationally designed; early preclinical means in vitro testing is underway or immediately planned.
| Candidate | Target Protein | Indication Area | Delivery Route | Current Stage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVX-001 | Klotho | Alzheimer's-adjacent neurodegeneration | CNS-LNP | Discovery |
| CVX-002 | FOXO3 pathway | Broad age-related biology | Systemic LNP | Discovery |
| CVX-003 | LNP-CNS proprietary formulation | Blood-brain barrier delivery platform | N/A (delivery) | Early Preclinical |
All programs are preclinical. No human clinical data exists for any caVos candidate. CVX-001 and CVX-002 are in sequence design and characterization. CVX-003 is in early in vitro formulation testing.
Why These Targets
Each program originates from the comparative genomics screen. Below is the conservation signal that nominated each target and the biological reasoning for pursuing it via mRNA. These are hypotheses, not established efficacy claims.
Klotho is a longevity-associated protein whose expression declines with age. Conservation signal was identified in naked mole rat, bowhead whale, and Brandt's bat genomes — all species with disproportionate longevity relative to body size. The known biology supports it: Klotho modulates FGF23 signaling, inflammation, and neuroprotection. mRNA upregulation of Klotho is a hypothesis supported by published rodent models showing cognitive benefits, making it a tractable target for CNS-LNP delivery.
FOXO3 transcription factor variants are among the most replicated genetic associations with human exceptional longevity across independent centenarian cohort studies. Our conservation analysis across 40+ species identifies FOXO3-adjacent regulatory variants under positive selection in long-lived mammals. The biological rationale is strong: FOXO3 regulates autophagy induction, oxidative stress response, and apoptosis gating — all directly relevant to hallmarks of aging. The complexity is also real: FOXO3 sits upstream of multiple downstream cascades, which means off-target pathway activation requires rigorous modeling before the sequence is considered ready for in vitro testing.
Rather than a protein target, CVX-003 is a delivery technology candidate — an LNP formulation optimized for blood-brain barrier crossing. The rationale is that all neurodegeneration-relevant mRNA candidates (including CVX-001) require CNS delivery, and the delivery problem constrains the therapeutic problem. CVX-003 is the computational and early experimental foundation for the delivery approach that will underpin the entire CNS-targeted pipeline.
Stage Definitions — No Ambiguity
We have a candidate mRNA sequence designed computationally, with predicted expression characteristics and off-target profile. In vitro screening — cell-based assays — has not yet been initiated. This is the earliest meaningful stage of candidate identification. No biological data exists for these candidates.
Early preclinical means in vitro biological testing is underway or immediately planned — cell-based assays to characterize the candidate's activity in relevant cell types. No animal studies have been initiated for any caVos candidate. This stage is the beginning of experimental validation, where computational predictions meet biological reality.
Interested in co-developing one of our candidates?
We are open to research collaborations and co-development discussions with pharma partners who have relevant in vitro infrastructure, CNS expertise, or established longevity research programs.
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