October 14, 2025

Spotlight Series on Our Incubator Companies:
Pomelo Biosciences Inc

The Scintillon Research Institute is home to a growing number of young and promising startups within the SI-START incubator/accelerator program.  The vision is to support and expand the biotech ecosystem in the greater San Diego area and drive innovation.  Our mission is to empower passionate and entrepreneurial scientists to drive the development of transformational technologies for scientists and treatments for patients around the world. Our incubator provides access to cutting-edge equipment and laboratory spaces, as well as funding opportunities, third-party services, seminars, educational events, and talent pools from SI academic research groups. Most importantly, SI-START’s funding industry partners provide business management experience, grant-writing and fund-raising guidance, and idea-testing environment to its residents.

This month, as part of our inaugural Spotlight Series, we highlight one of our resident companies, Pomelo Biosciences, Inc. and go behind the scenes to chat with Founder and CEO Dr. Yun C. Yung about his vision for the company.

SI interviewer: Dr. Yung, why don’t you tell us a little more about yourself, your scientific background, and your journey to Scintillon.

Dr. Yung: Absolutely, I have always been interested in biology for as long as I can remember, reading magazines like Popular Science, books about the human body, meditation, qi gong, and the power of the mind.  These early years really galvanized by interests in the immune system and the brain, and so my passions led me to study molecular biology and cognitive sciences in college at UC Berkeley. From there, I worked in a neurosurgery lab at Stanford, received my PhD doctorate degree in Biomedical Sciences from UC San Diego, completed more training at Scripps Research before starting as a Research Assistant Professor at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. What attracted me to Scintillon and start my lab here in 2018 was the renown of the faculty, incredible vision, and support and camaraderie.  Many of the faculty are experts in their fields and have an entrepreneurial spirit when it comes to translational research. All of this is to say that with 25 years of scientific acumen, I have found a wonderful home with like-minded colleagues to springboard and galvanize new ideas into action.

SI interviewer: Wonderful! What an impressive career path so far. And I’m sure you’ve left out many details. So did Scintillon inspire you to start latest venture and newest company Pomelo Biosciences, Inc.?

Dr. Yung: Yes, when I arrived, I had numerous conversations with colleagues about some of the most exciting and BIGGEST challenges in human health, including healthspan and longevity, aging and aging- and inflammation-related brain disorders like hydrocephalus and Alzheimer’s disease. At the same time, there is a growing awareness and focus on staying healthy, exercising well, and prolonging the ability to have the lifestyle you want, which is how people view healthspan. In addition, there are exciting fundamental discoveries, breakthroughs, and challenges to long-held theories about aging diseases. With all of this convergence, the missing piece for me was to take our science and see how we can make a real difference to people’s lives in a way that’s accessible and educational. The result is that I decided to take our science and create a consumer-focused biotech company that makes products accessible to the average person, while staying true to our DNA of rigorous science and validation. Thus, Pomelo Biosciences was born during the pandemic and recently emerged from stealth mode.

SI interviewer: This is very inspiring! This is exactly the type of company that people want and likely buzz about. But tell me more about your science. What exactly does Pomelo Bioscience do?

Dr. Yung: Ha, we would love buzz about our work. I’m of the generation that knows about Facebook and reading paper books. Having to learn about social media like TikTok, Instagram, and followers and influencers…well let’s just say that it’s challenging in a different way.  But to answer your question about our science, Pomelo Bio is focused on science that comes from my laboratory and research. We make and sell consumer products that are innovative and help people. As one example, we are focused on anti-inflammatory and collagen-inducing peptides, which are short chains of amino acids that have bioactive effects on the body. We’ve done some peptide studies in vitro on cells and have great data that shows their potency and safety. So we spent some time thinking about what kinds of body systems such products would anti-inflammatory peptides work best in, and we’ve come up with at least 2 flagship products.

SI interviewer: That is remarkable. I’ve started hearing about peptides, mostly in the cosmetic industry. Is this similar? And are these the products you are thinking of?

SI interviewer: Yes, I can imagine that there are lots of people with aches and pains and issues that your company’s sports cream can help.

Dr. Yung: Very true, everyone moves.  And everyone needs to move well to stay in optimum health.  In fact, at PomeloBio, we envision a world where people are in optimum health and have access to products that maximize healthspan. So we deliberately provide highly effective products at affordable price points. The other important thing is that we reach out to customers and our base by attending and educating at running events, fitness classes, and care facilities. We have customers across the age spectrum, which goes back to my earlier comment about becoming fluent on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. It’s definitely been eye-opening trying to adjust from my academic science viewpoint and put on my customer service hat.

SI interviewer: Yes, running a startup and small business is likely very different from teaching and lab research, right? What are some of your challenges you’ve overcome and how has SI benefited your company?

Dr. Yung: Absolutely! First, I want to say that the environment at SI is superb for starting a company, not because it has the most pristine, uncrowded lab spaces or on-demand baristas, or other amenities. No, SI is the perfect location because it really delivers where it counts. I save precious time having my academic lab in the same building as PomeloBio. As everyone understands, time is one’s most valuable resource. Second, the colleagues and staff are incredibly collegial, supportive, and warm, which helps with ideation, logistics, resource and fund allocation, which are incredibly critical for a startup. Obtaining supportive SBIR and other small business grants is likewise critical, which is much easier from a place like Scintillon. Some of our early challenges have to do with funds allocation and inventory logistics, scaling and expansion, filing patents, and even continuing our internal R&D. Having the ability to do most or all of this in one location is very helpful. Since we are only about 1 year into our business, I would say we are still very mindful of the challenges and taking things one step at a time.

SI interviewer: Absolutely, while it sounds like you’ve got a great start and team, you have an eye towards the future.