Telomir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:TELO) (“Telomir”), an emerging leader in age-reversal science focused on treating the root causes of diseases rather than just their symptoms, announced today potentially groundbreaking findings from a preclinical progeria lifespan study conducted in collaboration with Nagi Bioscience SA. Utilizing C. elegans (nematode) models, in which the study demonstrated restoration of shortened lifespan and normalization of accelerated aging with Telomir-1.

The study was conducted in nematodes (C. elegans) with a mutation in the wrn-1 gene, which is equivalent to a gene in humans associated with Werner Syndrome (a form of Progeria). Compared to normal (wild-type) nematodes, those with wrn-1 depletion showed a significantly reduced mean and median lifespan. Utilizing advanced in vivo microfluidic technology, the study demonstrated lifespan restoration and normalization of accelerated agingeffects in wrn-1-mutated nematodes treated with Telomir-1. The treatment effectively restored longevity to levels not significantly different from normal animals. These effects included an extended healthy lifespan and the normalization of several physiological parameters, such as movement velocity and tail amplitude.

Laurent Mouchiroud, Ph.D., Co-founder and CSO of Nagi Bioscience SA, commented, “The analysis confirms that Telomir-1 not only restores lifespan but also effectively counters the decline observed in untreated populations. These findings underscore Telomir-1’s potential to transform how we address age-related conditions by targeting their underlying cellular mechanisms.

Understanding Progeria: How Cellular Dysfunction Drives Accelerated Aging
Progeria, or Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, is a rare genetic condition that causes children to experience rapid aging. Fewer than 400 children worldwide are affected by this devastating disease, which leads to growth failure, joint stiffness, cardiovascular complications, and premature death, often in the early teens or twenties.

At the molecular level, progeria is driven by the accumulation of progerin, an abnormal protein that disrupts the cell nucleus and impairs normal gene expression. This damage accelerates telomere shortening, leaving DNA vulnerable and contributing to widespread cellular dysfunction. Telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, naturally shorten with normal aging, but this process is dramatically accelerated in progeria, leading to premature cellular aging.

elomir-1: A Novel Therapeutic Approach
Telomir-1 is a groundbreaking small molecule designed to target key causes of cell damage and dysfunction. It works by controlling excess metal activity in the body, which helps reduce oxidative stress (damage caused by harmful molecules), prevent ferroptosis (a form of cell death linked to iron), lower inflammation, and regulate processes that can lead to telomere shortening, the progression of diseases, and faster aging.

Telomir-1’s potential to regulate essential metal ions is central to its therapeutic approach:

Iron Overload: Excess iron contributes to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegeneration, ferroptosis and accelerated cellular aging. It is linked to conditions such as insulin resistance, Alzheimer’s disease, bone disorders, and Friedreich’s ataxia.

Copper Imbalances: Abnormal copper levels impair organ function and disrupt metabolism, contributing to conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases and Wilson’s disease.

By addressing these imbalances, Telomir-1 has the potential to protect against cellular damage and support healthy cellular function, further supporting its potential to mitigate age-related conditions.

These results represent a significant milestone in our mission to develop therapies that address the root causes of diseases,” said Dr. Itzchak Angel, Chief Scientific Advisor at Telomir. “Telomir-1’s ability to significantly restore lifespan and normalize accelerated aging in progeria models demonstrates its promise as a transformative therapeutic option.

Advancing the Science of Aging
Telomir has demonstrated Telomir-1’s broad therapeutic potential across multiple preclinical studies:

Reversing Aging and Improving Longevity: Telomir-1 has shown the ability to reverse the biological clock, improving both lifespan and health span in preclinical models.

Type 2 Diabetes: Telomir-1 appears to address insulin resistance at its root, achieving reversal to near pre-diabetic insulin resistance levels and glycemic control in preclinical studies.

Wilson’s Disease: By regulating copper metabolism, Telomir-1 offers promise as a treatment for copper-related disorders, such as Wilson’s disease.

“Our research continues to validate Telomir-1’s ability to tackle aging at its core,” said Erez Aminov, Chairman and CEO of Telomir. “By focusing on critical cellular processes, Telomir-1 offers a novel pathway to addressing conditions like progeria while also exploring its broader potential in other age-related diseases.

Next Steps in Progeria Research
Building on these findings, Telomir is preparing to launch in vitro studies using human progeria cell lines. These laboratory-based studies aim to further demonstrate Telomir-1’s potential to restore cellular health and normalize aging processes.

Source: https://ir.telomirpharma.com/telomir-pharmaceuticals-confirms-lifespan-restoration-and-normalization-of-accelerated-aging-in-preclinical-model-of-progeria-a-rare-genetic-disorder-causing-rapid-aging/