Sinclair's Life Bio to Present First Human Data on Epigenetic Reprogramming Therapy ER-100

What Was Announced

On October 1, Life Biosciences, the company co-founded by Harvard geneticist David Sinclair, said it will present first-in-human data from its ongoing Phase 1 trial of ER-100 at Eyecelerator, held alongside the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in New Orleans on October 8. Chief Scientific Officer Sharon Rosenzweig-Lipson, PhD, will present at 2:10 pm CT in the Glaucoma Digital session.

What ER-100 Is

ER-100 uses Life Bio's Epigenetic Restoration platform, delivering three transcription factors (OCT4, SOX2 and KLF4) to reset gene expression in retinal ganglion cells. The Phase 1 trial is studying open-angle glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), and is primarily assessing safety, tolerability and visual function.

Why It Matters

This is the first human test of partial epigenetic reprogramming, an approach Sinclair has long argued could reverse aspects of aging. The company says the goal is not just slowing vision loss but potentially restoring cells to a more youthful state.

Caveats

Phase 1 trials are small and designed mainly to assess safety, so early data cannot show whether the therapy works. Sinclair's broader reverse-aging claims have drawn criticism from some scientists, and results will need independent replication and larger trials.