April 8, 2026 —
Genflow Biosciences has reported continued positive safety and efficacy signals from its ongoing SLAB (Sarcopenia and Longevity in Aged Beagles) clinical trial, which is evaluating GF-1002, an AAV-based SIRT6 gene therapy designed to address age-related decline.
GF-1002 is Genflow’s lead therapeutic candidate and utilizes an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to deliver a centenarian variant of the SIRT6 gene through intravenous infusion. The therapy is designed to enhance DNA repair and genomic maintenance, biological processes associated with longevity, by introducing additional copies of the protective SIRT6 variant observed in long-lived individuals. Preclinical studies have shown promising results supporting this mechanism.
The SLAB study investigates whether SIRT6 gene therapy can improve health markers associated with aging, particularly sarcopenia (age-related muscle degeneration), in elderly dogs. Follow-up observations conducted three months after the initial dosing period confirm that previously reported functional improvements have been maintained, while no adverse events have been observed.
According to the company, the therapy continues to demonstrate a favorable safety and tolerability profile in aged beagles. Improvements across multiple independent functional endpoints remain consistent with earlier interim findings, while control animals continue to show expected age-related decline.
The trial remains ongoing, with all animals continuing to be actively monitored for durability of effect and overall health outcomes. The study is expected to continue for approximately four more months, with completion anticipated by the end of July 2026.
Additional analyses are underway to further characterize the biological effects of the therapy, including methylation clock analysis to assess biological age and muscle histology studies aimed at understanding structural changes associated with improved muscle health.
SIRT6 is a longevity-associated gene linked to DNA repair, metabolic regulation, and cellular stress resistance, making it a compelling target for therapeutic intervention in aging-related conditions. Genflow believes the emerging data support the potential of its AAV-based SIRT6 platform as a disease-modifying approach for age-related decline, initially in companion animals and potentially in broader longevity-related applications.
If ongoing results continue to demonstrate safety and sustained functional benefits, GF-1002 could represent a novel gene therapy strategy targeting the biological mechanisms of aging.
