Harvard scientist wants to test ‘rejuvenation’ drug

Theo MIT Tecnology ReviewDavid Sinclair, a biologist and geneticist specializing in anti-aging research at Harvard Medical School, will give volunteers a drug mixture to demonstrate the ability to reverse age in humans. If carried out, this test will be an important new development in the race to master reprogramming technology based on the discovery 20 years ago of genes that can turn adult cells into stem cells. The age-reversal effect occurs through reestablishing molecular control on DNA.

In January, Life Biosciences, one of Sinclair’s companies in Boston, received approval to test ER-100 in a study of 18 adults next year. ER-100 is designed to rejuvenate cells in the optic nerve, helping them function again and restore vision. Sinclair’s new trial is bolder because it uses an oral reprogramming drug to promote a rejuvenating effect throughout the body instead of focusing on one part. This chemical reprogramming method focuses on using drugs to mimic the effects of genes in the embryo. The drug compound can travel through the bloodstream, reaching most or all of the cells in the human body.

Sinclair declined to reveal the exact ingredients of the drug, codenamed SL-100. However, he has published laboratory studies on “age-reversing cocktails”, mixing potent chemicals with commercially available supplements and drugs. Sinclair said his lab searched for compounds that help with whole-body rejuvenation and began using AI to improve oral drugs they were developing.

Some experts are cautious and say the chemical process used in the laboratory is not really effective. “The chemicals need to be used at very high concentrations for cell reprogramming,” emphasizes Sergiy Velychko, founder of reprogramming company Soxogen in Boston. Sinclair himself was often criticized by other scientists for making many claims without convincing evidence. Part of the problem lies in the lack of consensus among researchers on how to measure aging and rejuvenation.

Sinclair’s research team is participating in the XPrize Foundation’s Healthspan competition, a seven-year global competition aimed at revolutionizing human aging. According to Jamie Justice, director in charge of the competition, the jury is selecting 10 finalists from 65 teams registered to participate. Sinclair’s team entered the competition late and needed to move to large-scale human trials this year. Healthspan competition finalists will be announced in August. The XPrize Foundation will award cash prizes to teams that can bring people to a younger age through improved immune, cognitive and muscular function. The award will go to the team that can demonstrate rejuvenation equivalent to 10 years or more after one year of treatment.