DSV Spins out CureAge Therapeutics to cure Neurofibromatosis
Children’s Tumor Foundation and Deep Science Ventures Spearhead New Biotech to Develop Curative Treatments for NF1
A first-of-its-kind biotech company, CureAge Therapeutics, has officially launched to develop curative therapies for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic condition affecting over 3 million people worldwide. The UK-based company was formed through a strategic collaboration between the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) and Deep Science Ventures (DSV), uniting scientific expertise and venture creation to address one of the most pressing unmet needs in rare disease treatment.
NF1 causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, often leading to debilitating pain, disfigurement, blindness, bone abnormalities, and an increased risk of cancer. While existing therapies provide only narrow symptom management, CureAge is taking a bold new approach - targeting NF1 at its genetic core through advanced therapy solutions.
A Collaboration to Accelerate Innovation
CureAge was born out of a unique partnership between the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) and Deep Science Ventures (DSV), combining CTF’s leading role as a catalyst in NF drug discovery and development with DSV’s expertise in building innovative biotech ventures. CTF is at the forefront of driving NF treatments forward - accelerating drug development, de-risking scientific breakthroughs, and forging strategic partnerships that bring new therapies to patients faster. Recognizing the urgent need for next-generation therapies, CTF and DSV identified gene therapy as the most promising path forward and brought together a world-class team to develop a treatment that directly targets the underlying genetic cause of NF1.
The name CureAge was chosen by NF1 patients and families, representing both courage and the hope for a cure. It reflects the NF community's determination to push for life-changing treatments.
Gene Therapy Innovation at CureAge
CureAge’s approach leverages lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to precisely deliver therapeutic genetic material to Schwann cells, the key cells involved in NF1 tumor growth. With a dual-action strategy, CureAge aims to restore NF1 function and eliminate non-targeted tumor cells, providing a long-term cure for NF1 while developing a scalable platform for related diseases.
“At CureAge, we are committed to finding better solutions for NF1 patients,” said Dr. Gonzalo Fernández-Miranda, CEO and Co-founder at CureAge Therapeutics. “By leveraging the latest advances in genetic therapies, our goal is to offer a transformative solution that not only treats NF1 but also paves the way for future treatments in other peripheral nerve disorders.”
The CureAge founding team
Liron and Gonzalo share a deep, personal connection to the challenges faced by patients and their families, which has shaped their careers in biotech.
Liron grew up in a family affected by a severe genetic disease, giving her firsthand insight into the daily struggles and hopes of patients and caregivers. This experience fueled her passion for gene therapy, leading her to work at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and later as a Research Scientist at Spark Therapeutics, where she developed an AAV treatment for hemophilia that reached clinical trials. Driven by a patient-first approach, Liron co-founded Noga Therapeutics acting as CSO and leading the development of a cell therapy for XLA and related diseases.
Similarly, Gonzalo co-founded his first biotech company alongside the father of a child with a genetic kidney disease, focusing on gene therapy for rare kidney disorders and achieving a successful exit. He later collaborated with a childhood cancer foundation to develop an RNA therapy for Ewing sarcoma, a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer still treated with decades-old chemotherapies.
After co-founding a second biotech focused on novel nanoparticles, Gonzalo joined forces with Liron and the DSV/CTF teams to shape a value proposition for NF patients—one that maximizes patient impact and commercial opportunity. Their shared commitment to patient-centred innovation brought them together, uniting their expertise to develop transformative therapies for NF and other peripheral nerve disorders.
CTF’s Leadership in NF Drug Development
CTF is a driving force in NF drug development, catalyzing industry partnerships and pioneering innovative research initiatives. Recent successes include Koselugo, the first FDA-approved treatment for NF, and Gomekli (mirdametinib), which was just approved by the FDA for both adults and children. CTF is also investing in leading efforts in biomarker research, developing biomarkers that can help predict cancer risk in NF patients. CTF’s partnership with NFlection Therapeutics is advancing a topical treatment for NF1, and its collaboration with Healx is accelerating the first AI-discovered NF treatment. CTF’s investments led to successful repurposing of brigatinib for NF2-SWN, placing it in the first-ever platform trial for the condition.
The launch of CureAge marks another milestone in CTF’s mission to end NF, turning ambitious ideas into new possibilities for patients.
“The CTF community does not wait for solutions - we create them,” said Annette Bakker, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the Children’s Tumor Foundation and Board Chair of CTF Europe. “By launching CureAge with Deep Science Ventures, we are ensuring gene therapy for NF moves forward with purpose and determination. Led by a team of proven innovators, this is about delivering on a promise: to push boundaries, to act with urgency, and to get cures into the hands of patients faster.”
DSV: Developing New Biotech Initiatives
CureAge was developed from scratch at Deep Science Ventures, starting with a specific target outcome of solving NF. Everything sprung from this aim - from the selection of Liron and Gonzalo to the creation of novel IP and the particular therapeutic strategy with which a cure will be developed.
“CureAge represents exactly the kind of innovation we seek - one that rethinks how we approach NF1 treatment at a fundamental level. By addressing its genetic core, we have the potential to change patient outcomes,” said Dr. Kerstin Papenfuss, Pharma Director at Deep Science Ventures.
By partnering with CTF, DSV played a key role in assembling the scientific and leadership foundation for CureAge, ensuring that genetic therapies for NF1 moves forward with a dedicated company focused on its advancement.
Engaging Investors and Partners
CureAge is actively engaging with investors and potential partners to accelerate the development of its genetic therapy platform. The company seeks to build collaborations that will bring these breakthrough treatments to clinical trials and ultimately to patients worldwide.
For more information about CureAge’s mission and scientific approach, visit their website or follow on LinkedIn.