ANTI-AGING : THE UNEXPECTED SHIFT THAT AFFECTS US ALL

💪 Dear Wonderwomen and Supermen,

It might surprise you, but humanity is still waiting for its first approved anti-aging drug. However, a groundbreaking treatment could soon become available—for our four-legged friends. Far from a joke, this canine breakthrough could pave the way for genuine revolutions in human medicine. With millions invested, determined researchers, and still unclear regulations, the longevity sector is bubbling with excitement. Discover how an ambitious startup is attempting to hack the biology of aging… starting with dogs.

SPOTLIGHT

The quest for an anti-aging drug fascinates scientists, investors, and biohackers alike. Yet despite advances in the biology of aging, no treatment has successfully navigated human regulatory hurdles. The startup Loyal is changing the game by developing a longevity pill—for dogs. By focusing on shorter-lived species, researchers hope to demonstrate the effectiveness of anti-aging treatments more quickly. This project could serve as a springboard for human applications.

But why is it so complicated to have aging recognized as a disease? And what does this mean for the future of longevity ?

The Details :

• Regulatory challenges for anti-aging treatments: In the U.S., the FDA only approves drugs targeting measurable conditions (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol). Yet aging isn't classified as a disease. This slows access to human clinical trials and complicates evaluation criteria. As a result, no anti-aging drug has yet advanced beyond phase 1 in humans.

• Understanding aging remains a puzzle: Aging results from a complex interplay of genes, environment, and lifestyle. It’s not a single process but a combination of biological wear and tear. This complexity prevents easy measurement and hampers targeted therapy development. Yet, as researcher Nir Barzilai highlights, halting aging could prevent numerous chronic diseases.

• Researchers bet on dogs as accelerated models: Dogs live on average 10 to 13 years, allowing quicker observation of treatment effects. They also develop conditions similar to humans: cancer, diabetes, cognitive decline, and more. Loyal leverages this similarity to speed up clinical trials—a world first in the sector.

• An ambitious vision backed by unexpected investors: Celine Halioua, founder of Loyal, has raised $125 million to develop three canine treatments. She’s supported by surprising investors, including a "Lord of the Rings" producer. This blend of animal love and faith in science creates fertile ground for innovation.

• An advancement that could revolutionize human medicine: In November 2023, the FDA recognized the "reasonable expectation of effectiveness" of Loyal's first drug, an essential step toward conditional approval. If all goes well, the pill could hit the market by the end of 2025—a symbolic victory, and perhaps the beginning of a revolution for humans.

Key takeaway 😀

The potential approval of a longevity drug for dogs marks a strategic turning point for the entire biotech anti-aging industry. It demonstrates that circumventing human regulatory barriers through animal models not only accelerates research but also legitimizes aging as a therapeutic target. By opening the door to more agile experimental frameworks, this advancement could prompt the FDA to redefine its criteria, including aging as a systemic risk factor.

Ultimately, this could transform public health policies: instead of treating age-related diseases individually, the focus would shift toward their common root—aging itself. A conceptual and medical revolution is underway.

HYPE OR FACT ?

💭 “Aging is a natural process, and we can’t slow it down.”

❌ Hype

Numerous studies show it's possible to slow or even reverse certain biological markers of aging. Interventions targeting the epigenetic clock, chronic inflammation, or cellular senescence offer promising results. The National Institute on Aging (NIA) supports several ongoing trials in this direction. 

LONGEVITY WISDOM

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