Kadence Bio’s Role in an Enhanced Future

The founder of our lead investor re.Mind Capital, Christian Angermayer, recently appeared on The Joe Rogan podcast to discuss "The Future is Enhanced." The conversation explored recent societal shifts driven by advancements in physical, cognitive, and emotional human enhancements.

As biotech, pharmaceutical, and wellness industries rapidly progress, society aims to feel better, look better and perform better. A new generation of ‘enhancement’ drugs is in the pipeline that have the potential to transform how people view medicine and healthcare. A prime example is Ozempic, a GLP-1 receptor agonist drug originally developed for diabetes management, now popular for weight loss. It is commonly used off-label, with over a third of Ozempic users having no history of diabetes (CNN, 2023). This reflects a broader trend: nearly half of U.S. adults seek safe and effective weight loss solutions. The appeal of Ozempic and similar drugs extends beyond those with clinical obesity to "healthy normals" seeking aesthetic improvements. Consequently, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, has seen a $400 billion increase in market value since 2020.

Enhancements now span diverse areas, including sexual performance, muscle strength, cognitive abilities, and overall happiness. This trend includes drugs and treatments like anabolic steroids, psychedelics, Botox, and Viagra. Our flagship product, being developed to address premature ejaculation, aligns with this trend, benefiting those seeking enhanced sexual performance. Unlike traditional drugs targeting niche conditions, enhancement drugs appeal to a broader market.

About 5% of men aged 18-64 experience severe premature ejaculation, ejaculating within 2 minutes over 75% of the time. Meanwhile, around 1 in 3 men and partners report problems with early ejaculation (Business Insider, 2023). Additionally, women generally require three times more time than men to reach climax, leading to 75% of heterosexual women not climaxing during partnered intercourse. This broadens the potential customer base, extending to couples interested in improving sexual performance and enjoyment. Companies must adapt their product lifecycle management and marketing strategies to meet this expanded demand. This could involve using so-called Phase 4 post-marketing studies to extend the product’s license to a broader demographic or switching to over-the-counter status if safety data permits.

Enhancement or ‘lifestyle’ drugs also require careful roll-outs. Manufacturers of prescription drugs can only market products for licensed indications. Off-label prescribing—using a drug outside its license—places the onus on the clinician for any adverse outcomes. Careful messaging and monitoring as well as proactive safety measures are essential. Kadence Bio is working alongside regulatory bodies such as the F.D.A. for product development, with input from healthcare professionals and patients. 

The trend toward human enhancement has notable secondary effects across various sectors. For instance, the popularity of Ozempic for weight loss has led to a rise in cosmetic procedures as more people seek changes in appearance (Bloomberg, 2024).

We anticipate that our drug will ignite a "sexual revolution" similar to Viagra’s impact, enhancing sexual performance and potentially improving fertility rates and mental health by increasing sexual activity and helping partners achieve climax. This could have far-reaching implications, particularly in regions with declining birth rates and aging populations, such as South Korea and Japan. Improved fertility rates can support demographic balance, alleviate pressure on social security systems, and ensure a steady workforce and long-term economic stability.

Improving sexual function can significantly boost self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and enhance relationship satisfaction. These benefits extend to increased productivity in the workplace, as individuals with higher levels of personal satisfaction and better mental health are more likely to be engaged and effective in their professional roles. Enhanced sexual health and performance can also reduce healthcare costs related to sexual dysfunction and associated mental health challenges.

The ripple effects of advancements in sexual health are profound, impacting individual wellbeing, societal structures, economic stability, and population dynamics. This anticipated "sexual revolution" could usher in an era of improved quality of life, greater societal productivity, and more robust population health.

Christian Angermayer also highlighted the "Enhanced Games," the world's first sporting event that endorses performance enhancements, celebrating achievements made possible through scientific progress. Kadence Bio shares this visionary approach and is committed to advancing meaningful enhancements for humanity’s betterment in a safe and responsible way.