Next month, a select group of volunteers will participate in a groundbreaking clinical trial focusing on two experimental gene therapies aimed at enhancing muscle growth and potentially extending human life. Spearheaded by Unlimited Bio, a biotech company led by CEO Ivan Morgunov, the initiative seeks to explore novel approaches to longevity. Participants will self-finance their travel and treatment as they undergo a series of injections targeting major muscle groups in their arms and legs. One therapy is designed to augment blood supply to these muscles, while the second aims to promote muscle growth, with the overarching goal of improving strength, endurance, and recovery.
While the potential benefits are considerable, some experts express concern about the trial’s design, particularly regarding the administration of multiple gene therapies to a small cohort of healthy individuals. Holly Fernandez Lynch, a medical ethicist at the University of Pennsylvania, cautions that the limited sample size may hinder the ability to draw definitive conclusions, especially regarding longevity outcomes. Unlimited Bio’s muscle growth therapy is already available at clinics in regions like Honduras and Mexico, garnering attention from high-profile figures such as Khloe Kardashian and biohacking influencer Dave Asprey, who recently showcased his treatment experience on social media.
The gene therapies in question operate by introducing new genetic material into the body’s cells, facilitating protein production that can lead to enhanced physical capabilities. While traditional gene therapies have focused on severe diseases, companies like Unlimited Bio and others are investigating their applications for healthy individuals. Morgunov’s vision involves not just muscle growth but also plans for future therapies targeting baldness and erectile dysfunction. Currently, the trial will assess the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and follistatin therapies, with hopes that these innovations could lead to improved muscle repair and possibly longer life spans. However, safety concerns remain regarding VEGF, which has been used in Russia for over a decade but has not gained regulatory approval in other regions due to less rigorous clinical trials. As this trial unfolds, the biotech community will be watching closely to evaluate the implications of these pioneering therapies.
Source: This company is developing gene therapies for muscle growth, erectile dysfunction, and “radical longevity” via MIT Technology Review