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Page 6 — Health Care, Senior & Life Sciences Quarterly — July 2026 www.crej.com LIFE SCIENCES I nterest in healthy aging has expanded significantly as researchers seek to better understand the biological processes that influence how the body responds to disease, envi- ronmental stress and the natural effects of aging. At Fitzsimons Inno- vation Community, Pathways Bio- science is contributing to that effort through research focused on the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. The company’s scientists are inves- tigating how plant-derived nutri- tional compounds influence Nrf2 activity and whether those interac- tions may contribute to evidence- based approaches that support health-span, or the number of years an individual remains healthy and active throughout life. Founded in 2014 by redox biol- ogy pioneer Dr. Joe McCord and a multidisciplinary team of scientists and entrepreneurs, Pathways Bio- science was established to develop scientifically vali- dated approaches to healthy aging. McCord’s doctoral research helped establish the field of redox biology, laying the scientific foundation for the company’s work to better understand the biological mechanisms that protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. “Our goal is to develop solutions that enhance the body’s natural ability to protect itself, helping people live healthier, more vibrant lives,” the founder says. Today, I oversee the research, and for me, the scientific significance of Nrf2 lies in its role in the body’s everyday physiology. This pathway is active every day. It’s influenced by factors such as nutrition, exercise and sleep. The company’s scientific team continues to investigate how the body’s protective systems respond to aging and how those mecha- nisms may be supported through nutrition-based interventions. n Understanding Nrf2 and cellu- lar resilience. Central to Pathways Bioscience’s research is Nrf2, a transcription factor that regulates hundreds of genes responsible for antioxidant production, detoxifica- tion, mitochondrial function and other cellular defense mechanisms. Under normal conditions, Nrf2 helps cells respond to oxidative stress by activating protective path- ways that maintain cellular balance. Research has shown that Nrf2 activity declines with age, making the pathway an important area of investigation for scientists study- ing health-span and age-related disease. The company’s research is driven by a fundamental question about how cells maintain their ability to protect themselves throughout the aging process. We’re interested in a cell signal- ing pathway involved in cell pro- tection mechanisms that become less active over the lifespan. We’re looking at supporting that pathway to promote healthy aging, but the research also presents an important target for drug discovery. n Exploring therapeutic poten- tial. Oxidative stress is a natural consequence of metabolism and environmental exposure. As part of normal metabolism, cells continu- ally produce reactive oxygen spe- cies, while protective mechanisms work to repair damage and main- tain cellular homeostasis. As people age, those protective mechanisms become less efficient. Pathways Bioscience’s research investigates whether specific com- binations of plant-derived com- pounds can activate Nrf2, triggering the expression of genes involved in antioxidant production, detoxifica- tion and maintaining cellular integ- rity. In addition to generating peer- reviewed scientific publications that contribute to the broader understanding of Nrf2 biology and healthy aging, the company’s work has resulted in notable outcomes. Nrf2.0® Technology is the com- pany’s proprietary research plat- form for studying combinations of plant-derived compounds that syn- ergistically activate Nrf2. Patented in the U.S. (US Pat No. 11,413,269) and abroad, the platform led to the development of PB125®, the first commercially available dietary supplement formulated using those compounds and evaluated for its effects on Nrf2 activation. What distinguishes Pathways Bio- science in the field is the breadth of scientific evidence supporting PB125®. Its cell-protective benefits have been demonstrated across multiple biological systems, includ- ing cultured human cells, animal models and a randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial. Importantly, these findings have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. A search for “PB125” in PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine’s bio- medical literature database, returns more than a dozen publications. n Building on a collaborative research environment. Pathways Bio- science has operated at Fitzsimons Innovation Community since its founding in 2014, allowing the com- pany to remain closely connected to the research and clinical expertise concentrated on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Cam- pus. Supporting my CEO role, the location also represents a continu- ation of a career spent conducting Advancing healthy aging through cellular science Brooks Hybertson President and chief executive officer, Pathways Bioscience Dr. Brooks Hybertson, left, and Dr. Joe McCord Please see Hybertson, Page 14 303-573-5678 Pete Gillespie, President Bill Brauer, General Manager info@ejcm.com Office | Medical | Specialty COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT | EJCM.COM W E B U I L D B E A U T I F U L I N T E R I O R S Patient Safety 4 IPUs 4 CEUs Minimizing HAI’s www.higgins-and-associates.com Cost Reduction Employee Safety Communication Compliance Why: THE SCIENCE BEHIND CONTAINMENT DESIGN Our self-paced online course offers essential training in infection risk control assessment (ICRA) and containment design. It is for infection preventionists, healthcare management professionals, and healthcare construction professionals. Online Course