Biotech focuses on next-gen APJ agonists and NLRP3 inhibitors; and partners with Lilly to address aging targets.
BioAge Labs, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in therapies for metabolic diseases through targeting the biology of human aging, has announced significant updates to its research and development programs. The company is advancing its pipeline with next-generation APJ agonists and NLRP3 inhibitors, while also establishing strategic collaborations with major pharmaceutical firms.
Longevity.Technology: BioAge’s recent strategic shift underscores the agility required in drug development – particularly in the field of aging biology, where translating preclinical promise into clinical success remains a formidable challenge. The discontinuation of azelaprag, following safety concerns, signals a clear commitment to scientific rigor and patient safety; rather than persisting with a candidate that presented obstacles, BioAge has chosen to refocus its efforts on structurally distinct APJ agonists and other promising avenues, including NLRP3 inhibition.
This approach reflects a broader industry trend in which companies must balance risk with opportunity – prioritizing assets with the highest probability of clinical success rather than adhering to a sunk-cost mindset. By redirecting resources into high-value partnerships and novel therapeutic strategies, BioAge is positioning itself to capitalize on its proprietary insights into aging biology in a way that could ultimately yield more effective interventions for metabolic diseases.
Advancement of next-generation APJ agonists
Following the discontinuation of azelaprag due to observations of liver transaminitis in some patients during the STRIDES Phase 2 clinical trial for obesity, BioAge is now focusing on developing structurally distinct APJ agonists. The company aims to nominate a new development candidate by the end of 2025, reflecting its commitment to advancing therapies that target metabolic disorders.
Nomination of NLRP3 inhibitor BGE-102
BioAge has nominated BGE-102, an orally available, brain-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor, as a development candidate. This novel small molecule exhibits high potency and significant brain penetration, attributes that are crucial for addressing neuroinflammation associated with conditions such as obesity. The company is conducting IND-enabling studies for BGE-102, with initial Phase 1 single ascending dose data anticipated by the end of 2025.
BioAge cofounder and CEO Kristen Fortney told Longevity.Technology the company is exploring various avenues to develop a broad range of therapies
“We’re progressing on multiple fronts to build a diverse pipeline focused on metabolic aging,” she said. “With our NLRP3 program entering the clinic this year, our next-generation APJ agonists advancing toward development candidate nomination, and two new discovery partnerships with large pharma, we’re excited to have multiple shots on goal to develop transformative new medicines.”
Strategic collaborations
BioAge has initiated a strategic collaboration with Lilly ExploR&D, part of Lilly Catalyze360, to develop two therapeutic antibodies targeting metabolic aging pathways identified through BioAge’s discovery platform. The partnership represents a significant expansion of BioAge’s focus on leveraging its proprietary datasets to uncover novel molecular targets in aging biology. Lilly ExploR&D brings expertise in antibody discovery and development, a modality that has seen growing interest in age-related disease interventions due to its potential for high specificity and durability. While financial terms were not disclosed, the collaboration highlights the pharmaceutical industry’s increasing investment in targeting metabolic dysfunction through precision therapies.
Meanwhile, BioAge’s previously announced multi-year research collaboration with Novartis – focused on identifying targets at the intersection of aging biology and exercise – continues to progress, combining BioAge’s longitudinal human aging datasets with Novartis’s capabilities in exercise-related therapeutics.
“Our collaborations with Novartis and Lilly underscore the power of BioAge’s platform to uncover new therapeutic targets for metabolic aging,” Fortney told us. “As pharma increasingly looks to the biology of aging for the next wave of promising targets, we’re harnessing our proprietary human longevity data – together with our partners’ expertise – to create new treatments that could improve metabolic health and transform patient care.”
Financial outlook
As of 30 September last year, BioAge reported approximately $334.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, not including an additional $27.6 million from the exercise of the IPO’s greenshoe option in October. This financial position provides the company with a cash runway extending beyond 2029, supporting its ongoing research and development initiatives, meaning it can continue to advance its pipeline with next-gen candidates and leverage its proprietary discovery platform to translate its insights into innovative therapies for aging-related diseases.
