A Promising Venture into Biotechnological Ageing Solutions
A surge of biotechnology firms is eager to demonstrate the feasibility of slowing down the ageing process, with Rubedo Life Sciences leading the charge by targeting the most apparent sign of ageing: the skin. The company’s experimental treatment has begun to reveal promising initial results that suggest it could mitigate the visible effects of ageing, as presented at the recent “Aging Research and Drug Discovery” conference held in Boston.
In a preliminary clinical trial, Rubedo tested its topical cream on 11 individuals suffering from atopic dermatitis, a common inflammatory skin condition. The treatment operates on a mechanism of cellular senescence, a biological state where damaged or stressed cells cease to divide permanently without undergoing cell death. These so-called “zombie cells” accumulate over time, releasing substances that can lead to inflammation and tissue damage, ultimately contributing to various age-related diseases.
Biological Age Reduction in Skin
After four weeks of using the cream, participants experienced an average reduction of approximately two years in their skin’s biological age. This estimation was based on a unique “age clock” devised by another firm, Mitra Bio, which conducted an independent analysis of skin samples from the trial participants. Remarkably, one participant noted a decrease of over 11 years in their skin’s biological age. Additionally, Rubedo’s findings indicated a correlation between their treatment and a reduction in inflammation-related markers, alongside a 10% increase in a specific type of collagen linked to skin elasticity and structure.
Biological, or epigenetic, age serves as an estimate of how a person is ageing compared to their chronological age. Age clocks, such as the one developed by Mitra, aim to calculate this figure by analysing methylation patterns—chemical modifications of DNA that regulate gene function and can evolve over time. However, this measurement does not inherently prove that a body, organ, or specific tissue has become functionally younger.
Marco Quarta, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Rubedo, asserts, “Our objective is to discover ways to alter the trajectory of our ageing process. Ageing is complex, with numerous mechanisms at play, but cellular senescence is one of them.”
Targeting Senescent Cells
Cellular senescence also plays a role in normal biological processes, such as wound healing and tumour suppression. However, its accumulation over time is associated with various age-related conditions. Consequently, targeting these cells has become a primary strategy pursued by companies focused on anti-ageing and longevity.
Rubedo’s approach aims to eliminate senescent cells by targeting a protein known as GPX4, which acts as a “guardian” of cellular survival. By temporarily deactivating GPX4, the treatment is designed to enhance the susceptibility of senescent cells to ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death, while simultaneously reactivating nearby non-senescent cells that are under stress.
In a separate study, researchers evaluated the treatment’s effect on actinic keratosis, a skin condition caused by sun damage that results in rough, scaly patches that can occasionally progress to skin cancer. In a trial involving 18 participants, the cream demonstrated a remarkable 46% reduction in the total number of lesions after just one month of use.
Exploration Beyond Ageing
Rubedo is also investigating the same drug for psoriasis and sun-damaged skin, with plans to include androgenetic alopecia, a hereditary form of hair loss, in their research portfolio. The company’s CEO, Frederick Beddingfield, who previously served as Chief Medical Officer at Allergan (where he launched Botox), sees potential for a lower potency, over-the-counter version aimed at general skin ageing, which could compete with retinol products. Furthermore, Rubedo is formulating the drug into a tablet to explore its efficacy in treating metabolic conditions associated with ageing.
Eric Verdin, President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Ageing, which has developed several biological clocks, expresses enthusiasm for the ongoing research. However, he advises caution regarding what these clocks truly measure, noting the current proliferation of such tools. Ultimately, patients are likely to care more about the visible appearance and feel of their skin rather than the results of a biological ageing test.
Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, underscores that senescence is just one piece of the intricate puzzle of ageing. “Some senescent cells are beneficial as they deactivate processes such as cancer progression,” he explains. While the science is groundbreaking, he notes that the work remains in its infancy and it will be intriguing to observe its effects on biological ageing in individuals with healthy skin, rather than solely those with specific skin conditions. “At present, the best anti-ageing routine is still to get adequate sleep, maintain a healthy diet, and engage in regular exercise,” he concludes.