June 08, 2026 —
Rejuvenate Bio has secured $6 million in new financing and entered into a strategic research and development collaboration with Merck Animal Health to advance gene therapies for chronic and age-related diseases in companion animals.
The financing round was led by VCapital, with participation from Merck Animal Health, Kendall Capital Partners, Connecticut Innovations, and Digitalis. The new funding will support continued development of Rejuvenate Bio’s gene therapy platform and expansion of its veterinary pipeline.
The collaboration with Merck Animal Health will focus on advancing a novel gene therapy program for animal health applications. By combining Rejuvenate Bio’s gene therapy technologies and translational research capabilities with Merck Animal Health’s global expertise in veterinary therapeutics, development, and commercialization, the partnership aims to accelerate new treatment options for unmet needs in companion animal medicine.
Rejuvenate Bio’s pipeline is built around AAV-based gene therapy programs designed to deliver durable expression of therapeutic genes for chronic and age-related diseases. In animal health, the company has advanced RJB-01, an AAV gene therapy program for canine mitral valve disease. Rejuvenate Bio previously reported pilot data in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease, with durable gene expression and bioactivity observed in treated canines and a favorable safety profile.
Beyond its canine mitral valve disease work, Rejuvenate Bio’s pipeline also includes RJB-0402, a liver-directed gene therapy designed to deliver FGF21, a hormone involved in metabolic regulation, inflammation, and tissue protection. The company has described RJB-0402 as part of its broader strategy to develop single-dose therapies for chronic metabolic and age-related diseases.
These programs reflect Rejuvenate Bio’s broader platform approach: using AAV delivery and validated biological targets to modify pathways involved in aging, cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, and tissue degeneration. The goal is to create treatments that can provide durable therapeutic benefit through one-time or infrequent administration.
The deal reflects growing interest in applying gene therapy beyond traditional human healthcare markets. As pet ownership rises and owners increasingly seek advanced care options, chronic age-related diseases in companion animals—including cardiovascular, metabolic, and degenerative conditions—represent a growing area of need in veterinary medicine.
Founded on research originating from the Wyss Institute at Harvard Medical School, Rejuvenate Bio has focused on translating longevity science into therapies for both animal and human health applications. The company’s strategy centers on clinically validated gene targets and delivery approaches designed to support durable and well-tolerated gene expression.
The new capital and Merck Animal Health collaboration strengthen Rejuvenate Bio’s position in the emerging veterinary gene therapy field and may provide a pathway for future development and commercialization of genetic medicines for companion animals.
