Gameto: Delaying or Eradicating Menopause with Investor Funding

The Pursuit of Extended Healthspan and the Focus on Menopause

Annually, a growing number of researchers and scholars are dedicating their efforts to not only prolonging human lifespan but also ensuring that these additional years are characterized by good health. Certain research groups concentrate on the early detection of cancer as a strategy for longevity enhancement, while others aim to optimize human metabolic processes.

A Rising Focus on Women's Health and Menopause

A comparatively small, yet expanding, cohort of scientists is now directing attention towards menopause, a condition affecting half the population. The onset of menopause is linked to a wide array of health issues, ranging from elevated blood pressure and undesirable cholesterol levels to increased risks of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.

Introducing Gameto: Addressing Ovarian Aging

Gameto is a newly established organization dedicated to tackling the issue of “accelerated” ovarian aging. Their objective is to positively alter the course of women’s health and promote gender equality.

The Science Behind Ovarian Aging

Dina Radenkovic, co-founder and CEO of Gameto, explains that ovaries age at a rate up to five times faster than other organs. This means they cease functioning much earlier than organs like the liver, brain, or skin. Women are born with a finite number of ovocytes – immature female sex cells that develop into mature eggs – and once these are depleted, the ovaries stop producing hormones crucial for female physiology.

Gameto's Approach to Ovarian Therapeutics

Founded just a year ago, Gameto intends to delay this process, potentially even indefinitely, offering women a choice. They are developing a platform for ovarian therapeutics, initially focused on improving assisted fertility procedures. The long-term goal is to identify cell therapies that can mitigate the “medical burden” of menopause, as described by Radenkovic.

Early Research and Preclinical Evidence

While still in its early stages, Gameto has already begun investigating whether ovarian supporting cells can aid in egg maturation and reduce the number of IVF cycles women often require. The company reports possessing “strong preclinical evidence” supporting their platform.

Investment and Leadership

Gameto is led by chairman Martin Varsavsky, a serial entrepreneur whose previous venture, Prelude Fertility, established a nationwide network of fertility clinics in the U.S. The company has attracted significant investment, reflecting confidence in its potential.

Securing Funding for Innovation

Recently, Gameto secured $20 million in funding led by Future Ventures. Co-founder Maryanna Saenko expressed excitement about the possibility of improved care for women experiencing menopause, asserting that the associated suffering isn't inevitable and that complications, particularly early-onset menopause, can be prevented, moving beyond current hormone replacement therapies.

A Diverse Group of Investors

Additional investors include Bold Capital Partners, Lux Capital, Plum Alley, TA Ventures, Overwater Ventures, Arch Venture Partners co-founder Robert Nelsen, and 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki.

Previous Funding Rounds

Gameto had previously raised $3 million in seed funding from investors such as Atomic founder Jack Abraham, SALT Fund, FJ Labs, Yes VC, Coatue Management founder Dan Rose, and Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong.

A Significant Market Opportunity

The potential market for these therapies is substantial, particularly as people live longer. It is anticipated that other startups will increasingly focus on delaying menopause as funding opportunities arise, building on existing research that has explored menopause as a treatable condition for several years.

Competition in the Field

Gameto is not alone in this endeavor. Celmatix, a 12-year-old company, is also developing a drug program to slow the depletion of a woman’s ovarian reserve, aiming to decouple a woman’s endocrine function from reproduction.

Celmatix's Progress and Partnerships

Celmatix has already received institutional support, including a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for nonhormonal contraceptive research. They have also established a partnership with pharmaceutical company Bayer and drug development firm Evotec.

Conclusion

The increasing attention and investment in addressing ovarian aging and menopause signify a growing recognition of the importance of women’s health in the broader pursuit of extended healthspan. The work of companies like Gameto and Celmatix promises to reshape the landscape of women’s healthcare and potentially redefine the experience of aging.