Dive Brief:
- BioAge Labs on Tuesday released a new set of positive early results for its entry into the NLRP3 inhibitor class, a highly anticipated group of medicines.
- The new data follows a readout in January that showed a 120-milligram daily dose of BioAge’s BGE-102 had “best-in-class” potential for lowering inflammation implicated in cardiovascular risk in obesity patients. Now, the company has released comparable Phase 1 data for the 60-milligram dose of the pill.
- Previous research has shown that the drug is well tolerated and can cross the blood-brain barrier, which could enable it to better attack a range of diseases. BioAge is already ramping up a dose-ranging Phase 2 study evaluating BGE-102’s potential to reduce cardiovascular risks. It expects to share data in the second half of this year, with an eye on kicking off a Phase 3 trial in 2027.
Dive Insight:
BioAge CEO Kristen Fortney calls BGE-102 a “pipeline in a pill.” By targeting the inflammation-causing protein NLRP3, her company hopes to develop new medicines for not only cardiovascular diseases, but also conditions affecting the eyes and central nervous system.
Analysts also see great potential in obesity, especially as part of combinations with the popular class of GLP-1 medications. Though research is still in early stages, data has suggested that NLRP3 pills may help patients shed pounds with fewer side effects and less loss of muscle mass. In a recent report, analysts with the investment firm Mizuho Securities estimated that NLRP3 drugs might generate sales of more than $10 billion a year in obesity alone.
That potential has drawn the attention of companies ranging from startups to some of the biggest drugmakers in the world. In January, Eli Lilly announced plans to buy NLRP3 developer Ventyx Biosciences for $1.2 billion. Roche and Novo Nordisk have also made investments over the years.
Boston-based biotech NodThera has seen early success in Parkinson’s disease patients. Neumora Therapeutics last year touted preclinical results in obesity. And before Lilly’s takeover offer, Ventyx shares soared on a positive study showing its drug could significantly reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
BioAge has benefited both from its own research and the general enthusiasm around the NLRP3 class. That’s helped the company recover from a research setback with an experimental obesity medicine known as azelaprag in 2024, just months after a lucrative initial public offering.
