Renowned longevity researcher David Sinclair is making headlines with plans to initiate human trials for an oral reprogramming drug as part of the XPrize Healthspan Competition. This competition, organized by the XPrize Foundation, aims to reward teams that can demonstrate significant improvements in health metrics, such as immune response, cognitive function, and muscle performance, effectively reversing apparent aging. The ultimate goal is for a team to achieve a relative age improvement of at least ten years after one year of treatment.
Sinclair, a biologist at Harvard Medical School, has confirmed his intention to administer a mixture of oral drugs to volunteers in hopes of demonstrating age restoration in humans. This endeavor marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of epigenetic reprogramming—a method based on the ability of specific genes to revert adult cells to a stem cell-like state. The anticipated age-reversal effect is believed to stem from the resetting of epigenetic marks that govern DNA, thereby influencing cell metabolism and identity. Companies are racing to apply these findings in the emerging field of rejuvenation medicine. Sinclair’s company, Life Biosciences, has previously gained approval for human trials involving a complex gene therapy, yet this new approach is more ambitious, aiming for comprehensive rejuvenation through a simple oral treatment.
While Sinclair’s approach is pioneering, it has drawn some skepticism from experts regarding the safety and efficacy of the chemical reprogramming methods he is exploring. Sinclair has kept the specific formulation of his drug, codenamed SL-100, under wraps, but has hinted at its potential to circulate through the bloodstream and affect multiple cell types. He has previously experimented with combinations of established supplements and medications in his lab, which could be more straightforward to test on humans due to their existing medical use. The XPrize Healthspan Competition has garnered significant attention, led by executive chairman Peter Diamandis, and aims to push the boundaries of health and longevity research. As the competition progresses, Sinclair’s team must expedite its transition into broader human trials, a challenge that reflects the increasing urgency and enthusiasm in the field of age reprogramming.
Source: David Sinclair plans to test whole-body rejuvenation drugs in the XPrize competition via MIT Technology Review