BioAge Expands APJ Agonist Pipeline with Oral Small-Molecule and Long-Acting Biologic Candidates

Core Insights - BioAge Labs has entered an option agreement with JiKang Therapeutics to potentially in-license a novel APJ agonist nanobody, enhancing its pipeline for obesity and other metabolic diseases [1][5] - The company has filed a provisional patent for new small molecule APJ agonists that are orally active and highly potent, indicating a strong focus on innovative therapeutic approaches [1][7] Group 1: APJ Agonist Program - Apelin, identified as a therapeutic target, has shown in preclinical studies to significantly enhance weight loss and improve muscle function, suggesting its potential as a pharmacological exercise mimetic [2][4] - BioAge aims to develop both oral and subcutaneous APJ agonists to cater to different segments of the obesity market, with plans to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in 2026 [3][4] Group 2: Collaboration with JiKang Therapeutics - The collaboration with JiKang allows BioAge to advance the APJ agonist nanobody into IND-enabling studies, with BioAge holding an exclusive option to license the program [6] - JiKang's nanobody is reported to be at least 10-fold more potent than apelin, indicating a significant advancement in pharmacological properties for treating metabolic diseases [5][6] Group 3: Intellectual Property Expansion - BioAge is rapidly advancing its internal small molecule APJ agonist program, having filed a U.S. provisional patent for a new class of agonists with picomolar potency and favorable drug-like attributes [7][8] - The design of these novel leads is supported by advanced computational modeling and AI initiatives, showcasing the company's commitment to innovative drug development [8] Group 4: Company Overview - BioAge Labs is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutic candidates for metabolic diseases by targeting human aging biology [9] - The company's lead product candidate, BGE-102, is a small-molecule NLRP3 inhibitor for obesity, with significant weight loss demonstrated in preclinical models [9]