The Optispan Podcast with Matt Kaeberlein

Inside the Offshore Clinics Developing Gene Therapy to Fight Aging | 125

Aug 26, 2025

Ivan Morgunov, CEO of Unlimited Bio, and Anna Vakhrusheva, its CTO, share insights on their innovative gene therapies targeting aging. They discuss regulatory challenges that drove them to offshore clinics in special economic zones. The duo emphasizes the significance of the extracellular matrix in aging, their first VEGF therapy, and ethical debates around safety versus accessibility. They highlight exciting future therapies like follistatin and Klotho, while advocating for a balanced approach to regulation and innovation in longevity treatments.

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INSIGHT

Insurance As A De Facto Regulator

Prospera requires companies to buy liability insurance that functionally enforces safety standards.
The insurer acts as a commercial regulator by assessing and pricing perceived risk.

ADVICE

Bring Sandboxes Home Strategically

Consider exporting the sandbox model to home countries to reduce patient travel and increase oversight.
Use insurer competition and state-level sandboxes as mechanisms to create parallel regulatory options.

INSIGHT

Reusing Existing Approvals To Accelerate Access

Unlimited Bio leveraged a Russia-approved plasmid VEGF therapy to pilot offerings in Prospera.
Prior human use (10,000+ patients) made initial approval and safety assessment more practical in the sandbox.

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Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@optispanGet Our Newsletter (It's Free): https://www.optispan.life/Meet the founders (Ivan Morgunov, Anna Vakhrusheva) of Unlimited Bio, a biotech company developing gene therapies in special economic zones, operating outside of traditional FDA regulation. This episode explores their model, the science behind their therapies targeting the extracellular matrix, and the future of accessible anti-aging treatments.0:00 - The Mission: Fighting Overregulation in Longevity9:31 - The Science: Why the Extracellular Matrix is Key30:16 - The Offshore Model: How It Works & The Controversies54:04 - Their First Therapy: VEGF Gene Therapy Explained55:51 - The Quality Debate: GMP vs. A New Approach1:24:16 - The Future Pipeline: Follistatin, Klotho & Combination Therapies1:48:27 - The Vision: A New Regulatory System for the USProduction: Nicholas Arapis, https://videocastproductions.comDISCLAIMER: The information provided on the Optispan podcast is intended solely for general educational purposes and is not meant to be, nor should it be construed as, personalized medical advice. No doctor-patient relationship is established by your use of this channel. The information and materials presented are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We strongly advise that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional for all matters concerning your health, especially before undertaking any changes based on content provided by this channel. The hosts and guests on this channel are not liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages or adverse effects that may arise from the application of the information discussed. Medical knowledge is constantly evolving; therefore, the information provided should be verified against current medical standards and practices.More places to find us:Twitter: https://twitter.com/optispanpodcastTwitter: https://twitter.com/optispanTwitter: https://twitter.com/mkaeberleinLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optispanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/optispanpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@optispanhttps://www.optispan.life/Hi, I'm Matt Kaeberlein. I spent the first few decades of my career doing scientific research into the biology of aging, trying to understand the finer details of how humans age in order to facilitate translational interventions that promote healthspan and improve quality of life. Now I want to take some of that knowledge out of the lab and into the hands of people who can really use it.On this podcast I talk about all things aging and healthspan, from supplements and nutrition to the latest discoveries in longevity research. My goal is to lift the veil on the geroscience and longevity world and help you apply what we know to your own personal health trajectory. I care about quality science and will always be honest about what I don't know. I hope you'll find these episodes helpful!