Retro Biosciences
About Retro Biosciences
Retro Biosciences is a Aging & Agetech startup based in Redwood City, United States that has raised $180M in venture capital across 2 funding rounds since 2021. The company reached Series A stage in Jun 2022 with a $180M round led by Sam Altman. Retro Biosciences's investor base includes 3 institutional funds, with Sam Altman leading the most recent equity round.
Retro Biosciences is a Redwood City, California-based longevity biotech company with the mission of adding 10 years to healthy human lifespan. Founded in 2021 by Joe Betts-LaCroix, Sheng Ding, and Matt Buckley, the company emerged from stealth in 2022 with a $180 million seed investment from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Retro develops therapeutics targeting the cellular mechanisms of aging across four programs: a small-molecule lysosomal autophagy enhancer (RTR242, in Phase 1 clinical trials as of December 2025), AI-engineered in vivo cellular reprogramming factors (RetroSOX and RetroKLF, developed in collaboration with OpenAI's GPT-4b micro model), T cell rejuvenation, and hematopoietic stem cell therapies. In January 2025, the company announced a Series A financing led by Italian financier Sandro Salsano, with Sam Altman participating. By May 2026, Retro Biosciences was raising capital at a valuation of $1.8 billion with its Phase 1 trial progressing without dose-limiting toxicities and clinical data expected around August 2026.
Retro Biosciences Funding Rounds Timeline
2 rounds · $180M raised · since 2021
| Round | Date | Amount | Valuation | Lead investor | Co-investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | Jun 2022 | $180M | — | Sam Altman | — |
| Series A | Jan 2025 | Undisclosed | — | Sandro Salsano | Sam Altman, Team Ignite Ventures |
Investors in Retro Biosciences
3 institutional investors across 2 rounds
Lead investors
Co-investors
Recent news about Retro Biosciences
Questions about Retro Biosciences
How much has Retro Biosciences raised?
Retro Biosciences has raised $180M across 2 funding rounds since 2021.
Who are the investors of Retro Biosciences?
Retro Biosciences's investors include Sam Altman, Sandro Salsano, Team Ignite Ventures.
When was Retro Biosciences's last funding round?
Retro Biosciences's most recent round was a $180M Seed in Jun 2022, led by Sam Altman.
What is Retro Biosciences's valuation?
Retro Biosciences reached a $1.8B valuation (unicorn status) with its Seed round in Jun 2022.
Where is Retro Biosciences headquartered?
Retro Biosciences is headquartered in Redwood City, United States, and was founded in 2021 by Joe Betts-LaCroix, Sheng Ding, Matt Buckley.