First-in-Human Gene Therapy Aims to Rewind Cellular Aging in Glaucoma

A Life Biosciences Phase 1 trial is testing ER-100, a gene therapy designed to reset the aging clock in eye cells using OSK (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4) to potentially restore vision in open-angle glaucoma. Early preclinical data suggest epigenetic restoration can improve cellular function, but the approach carries safety risks, including cancer, and it remains uncertain whether translating this to humans will succeed or be safe.