Molecule Ecosystem, August 2024
Project Transfidelity Funded, New Catalyst Projects, Nucleate Summit, Solana Breakpoint, Zelar Longevity Popup City, & More
Project Transfidelity Funded!
The first project to launch on Catalyst, Project Transfidelity, officially reached its funding goal, raising 76 ETH to bring innovative Alzheimer’s research onchain! This is a huge milestone for DeSci and funding onchain science, and it’s just the beginning.
Transfidelity is led by researchers Dr. Dimitri Scherbakov and Dr. Rashid Akbergenov. They identified two molecules that may improve the efficiency of protein production, potentially preventing protein aggregates, which could play a role in causing dementia. Despite the significant research funding allocated to neurodegenerative diseases, current therapies continue to treat the symptoms caused by the protein aggregates, with little progress made to stop or reverse the disease. Thanks to Catalyst, they can now research the root cause of dementia and Alzheimer’s, marking a pivotal moment for DeSci in combating neurodegenerative diseases.
Want to see the researchers’ reactions when they found out their project was funded? Watch the Transfidelity AMA to see their genuine, live reaction and to hear more about the project. And don’t forget to join the Transfidelity Telegram for all project updates!
To learn more about the project, check it out on Catalyst!
Thank you to VitaDAO, Cerebrum DAO, BeakerDAO, and everyone else who helped get Project Transfidelity across the finish line! And congratulations to Dr. Dimitri Scherbakov and Dr. Rashid Akbergenov!
New Catalyst Projects
With the completion of Project Transfidelity funding, we will have two new projects launching on Catalyst! Here is a bit of what you can expect:
ACCelerate
ACCelerate aims to restore brain function through transplantable brain tissue. The project is spearheaded by Prof. Tiago Goncalves at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a leading expert in the field of neuronal circuitry. His groundbreaking work focuses on regenerating the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a vital part of the brain responsible for decision-making and emotional regulation, often affected in neurological conditions.
Ab4AD
Ab4AD is imagining a future where we can teach our immune systems to defend against Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Daniel Z. Bar from Tel Aviv University is looking into the link between germ exposure, immune response, and the probability of developing AD, known as ‘The Pathogen Hypothesis.’ Despite a body of evidence, this angle has been under-explored due to the current focus on protein aggregation in the AD research world.
To stay updated with all Catalyst project announcements and updates, join the CataList.
Molecule at Nucleate Summit
Molecule recently attended the Nucleate Alumni Summit, an inspiring event set amidst the stunning redwoods of California. The event brought together bio-innovation enthusiasts for two days of networking and collaboration. We connected with early-stage biotech innovators and participated in conversations about the challenges of fundraising for early-stage research.
A key moment where this conversation came to the forefront was a panel where Carta shared a report on the state of biotech over the past four years. Their insights highlighted that the Valley of Death, which Molecule aims to address, is more pronounced than ever. The report showed that this is largely driven by the exceptionally high capital deployment from VCs in 2021 and 2022. With capital deployment normalizing back to pre-2021 levels, VCs are being more cautious and thoughtful in what projects they invest in and how developed the project needs to be to get initial VC investment.
Carta’s data also revealed that, unlike other industries, biotech seed valuations fell sharply in 2024, meaning early-stage biotech companies are valued lower than before. Additionally, Series A round sizes in biotech have halved since 2021, with the total cash raised now at levels lower than in 2018. This shift has made it harder for projects to secure funding, as they now need to present data similar to what was expected in Series A rounds before 2021.
These insights underscore the need for alternative funding options to support early-stage projects and help them develop their IP. The summit reaffirmed the importance of Molecule’s work with Catalyst in creating a new and impactful funding system for early-stage research.
-Jillian, Head of Growth
Pump.science: Gamifying the Quest for Longevity
Molecule is taking on the ultimate challenge: beating death. We're launching pump.science, a revolutionary platform that combines cutting-edge science with the excitement of crypto trading.
The Game: Predict and Extend Life
Pump.science is a stadium for science where you can:
Propose life-extending compound cocktails
Fund promising life-extending cocktails
Speculate on real-time experimental data
Trade IP tokens representing potential breakthroughs
Our secret weapon? The Wormbot—an automated lab that tests compounds on C. elegans, tiny worms with a 20-day lifespan. Don't underestimate these little creatures; they're our fast track to identifying promising life-extension candidates.
Why It Matters
Speed: Get results in weeks, not months/years
Cost-Effective: Each experiment costs just $300
Scalable: Successful compounds can advance to more complex organisms
Engaging: Watch experiments unfold in real-time and make informed predictions
How to Play
Submit your cocktail ideas or fund existing ones
Monitor livestream of Wormbot data
Trade tokens representing IP rights to promising compounds
Aim for the highest Percentage Life Extension (PLE)
Ready to revolutionize longevity research while potentially profiting from groundbreaking discoveries? Join us at pump.science and be part of the future of decentralized science!
Learn More About Pump.science
DeSci Goes Cross-Chain
Molecule Co-Founder and CEO, Paul Kohlhaas, will be at this year’s Solana Breakpoint to share about the future of DeSci! We are excited to participate in such a forward-thinking event alongside highly influential and innovative Solana BUIDLers. Paul will share the latest on Molecule and BIO while introducing some exciting new product announcements you will hear about soon.
Participating at Breakpoint also marks an exciting moment for the growth of DeSci. Molecule recently received a grant from the Solana Foundation to build a DeSci protocol on Solana, showcasing the excitement and support that DeSci is receiving from the broader crypto ecosystem. Stay tuned for all the Solana Breakpoint updates in the next Ecosystem Update!
Zelar City Longevity Popup
Join Molecule at the Zelar City Longevity popup happening October 5 through November 17 in Berlin, where we will be hosting a DeSci track. Zelar City is a 6-week popup village dedicated to bringing together scientists, entrepreneurs, and forward-thinking individuals to co-work, co-live, and innovate toward a world without death.
Molecule will be hosting the DeSci track at our headquarters in Berlin where we will have breakfast, talks, workshops, and coworking. If you are interested in speaking or leading a workshop for the event, please email ella@molecule.to.
Molecule is Hiring!
Molecule is looking for a detail-oriented, proactive, and passionate individual to join the team as Assistant to the CEO. As Assistant to the CEO, you'll play a crucial role in shaping the future of decentralized biotech funding. You'll work directly with Paul Kohlhaas, the CEO and Co-Founder of Molecule and BIO Protocol.
If this sounds like you, please apply here.
Thanks for Reading!
If you enjoyed this read, subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated as the ecosystem grows. Please reach out to us with any questions or ideas, visit our website, or join our Discord to interact directly with our team. We’re really looking forward to joining forces with our community to create a world where patients directly fund researchers developing the next therapeutic breakthrough they need and building an open, inclusive, and collaborative ecosystem.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely those of the individual authors and contributors. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as investment advice, endorsement, or recommendation. Readers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with a professional advisor before making any investment decisions.
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