BioAge Labs, in partnership with HitGen, has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of BGE-102, a novel, orally available small-molecule inhibitor of NLRP3 that penetrates the brain, according to the company. The study will evaluate single and multiple ascending doses (SAD/MAD), with initial SAD data expected by year-end.
The inhibitor was developed from compounds identified using HitGen’s DNA-encoded library (DEL) screening platform. BioAge claims that BGE-102 exhibits high potency, brain penetration, and structural novelty, with efficacy in reducing weight in preclinical obesity models both alone and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
NLRP3 is implicated in age-related inflammation and is thought to play a role in metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. BioAge is focusing BGE-102 first on obesity, using insights from aging biology.
Under the collaboration, HitGen will receive a milestone payment triggered by the Phase 1 initiation. Previously, the two companies identified hit compounds in April 2021 and published joint research in 2024, including patent filings for novel inhibitors discovered through DEL.
BioAge is also working on other product candidates, including both long-acting injectable and oral APJ agonists for obesity, leveraging its discovery platform based on human longevity data.
