According to findings published in the Nature Biotechnology, an AI-generated drug named rentosertib could potentially slow aging. The mid-stage clinical study, conducted by biotech firm Insilico Medicine, has revealed that the administration of the drug could lead to a significant reduction in predicted biological age.
How can an AI-generated drug slow aging?
The research was led by Alex Zhavoronkov in collaboration with scientists from the world’s leading universities. This placebo-controlled study collected data from 42 patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Furthermore, to eliminate room for error, the study analyzed blood data using six independently developed proteomic aging clocks. The study is heavily funded through company’s private partnerships.
All six independent aging clocks created by research teams at the world’s top institutions recorded a significant reduction in predicted biological age. Meanwhile, aging continued among participants who received the placebo. The AI-generated drug targets a specific protein called “TNIK” to slow aging. The protein was identified by AI as contributing to six hallmarks of aging. Rentosertib works by slowing down the degradation of healthy cells and inhibiting TNIK.
The study marks a broader shift in Silicon Valley from treating chronic illnesses to targeting bological aging process. For instance, Figures such as Jeff Bezos have invested $3 billion Altos Labs study that relied extensively on cellular reprogramming through AI technologies to reboot cells to a younger state.
What rentosertib means for general population
Currently, rentosertib is being developed to treat lung disease. However, it has several implications for the general population. Modern medicine suggests that a large number of diseases (predominantly heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease) are caused by aging. Administration of rentosertib could significantly reduce the risk of these diseases. A normal person would be able to live disease-free well into their 90s.
Traditionally, development of drugs has taken decades of research. With AI, rentosertib’s development only took weeks. It is currently in Phase III clinical trials in China. This stage is the last human testing phase to be completed before a drug can be formally approved for commercial manufacture and use by wider public.
The reduced development time means the cost of bringing it to market would be lower. Therefore, it could lead to lower healthcare costs due to wider access. This could result in healthcare treatments becoming more affordable.
Global impact of slowing aging
Global implications of this AI-generated drug extend to health equity. Although aging is universe, its impacts are considerably worse for people from lower socioeconomic groups. People from less developed nations develop age-related diseases relatively quickly.
The efficiency of AI-generated drugs democratize longevity. This drug could become easily accessible and shrink the health gap between poorer and wealthier populations. It could result in altered global demographics and significantly raise retirement ages around the globe.
