AI-Designed Drug Shows Early Signs of Slowing Biological Ageing in Clinical Study
Researchers say rentosertib reduced biological-age markers across six ageing measures, but larger studies are needed before any anti-ageing benefit can be established.
NEW DELHI, Sept 9: An experimental drug developed with the help of artificial intelligence has shown preliminary signs of reducing markers associated with biological ageing, according to findings from a clinical study published recently.
The drug, rentosertib, was originally developed as a potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease. Researchers later examined whether the treatment could also influence biological ageing in patients participating in the clinical trial.
The study used six different biological ageing clocks to assess changes in participants’ biological age. After 12 weeks of treatment, researchers reported reductions in predicted biological age across all six measures.
The findings represent an early development in the emerging field of longevity research, where scientists are investigating whether treatments designed for specific diseases may also affect biological processes associated with ageing.
However, researchers have cautioned against interpreting the findings as proof that the drug can extend human lifespan or reverse ageing. The study involved a relatively small group of patients and focused on people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis rather than healthy individuals.
Biological-ageing clocks are also indirect measures and do not necessarily translate into longer life expectancy or improved long-term health.
The research highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in drug development. AI-assisted systems can analyse biological data and help identify molecular structures that could potentially be developed into medicines.
The latest findings, published in Nature Biotechnology, add to interest in using AI not only to discover treatments for diseases but also to investigate mechanisms linked to ageing and longevity.
Scientists say larger and longer clinical trials will be necessary to establish whether the observed changes have meaningful effects on health outcomes and whether similar results can be reproduced in healthy populations.
