AI-Designed Lung Drug Shows Promise in Slowing Biological Aging
A phase 2a trial of rentosertib, an AI-designed drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), suggests it may slow biological aging by 3-4 years. Published in Nature Biotechnology, the study used six proteomic clocks to measure changes in blood proteins, finding that treated patients appeared younger. Researchers caution that the small sample size and disease-specific context limit conclusions, noting that anti-fibrotic effects may confound aging results. A larger phase 3 trial in China is underway to further investigate these dual-purpose outcomes.