Can This Biotech Company’s Skin Cream Really Reverse Aging?

Rubedo Life Sciences, based in Mountain View, California, is on a mission to slow down the aging process starting with the skin.

The company recently presented data at the Aging Research and Drug Discovery Conference in Boston showcasing its experimental treatment that has shown early promise in reducing the visible signs of aging.

In a groundbreaking small clinical trial, Rubedo tested a topical cream on 11 individuals with atopic dermatitis, a common inflammatory skin condition also known as eczema. The cream targets senescent cells, which are damaged or stressed cells that stop dividing and accumulate as we age, contributing to inflammation and tissue damage.

Results from the trial are astonishing. After just four weeks of using the cream, participants showed an average reduction in skin age of about two years, with one person experiencing an incredible 11-year reduction. Additionally, the treatment was linked to a decrease in inflammation-related markers and a 10% increase in collagen types associated with skin elasticity and structure.

Biological age, also known as epigenetic age, is an estimation of how old one is compared to their chronological age. Aging clocks, like the one designed by Mitra Bio, analyze gene function and DNA methylation patterns to calculate this number. While it doesn’t necessarily indicate functional youth, it provides valuable insights into the aging process.

Dr. Marco Quarta, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Rubedo, explains, “Our goal is to change the aging trajectory. Aging is a complex process with many mechanisms, and cellular aging is just one piece of the puzzle.”

Senescent cells play a crucial role in biological functions such as wound healing and tumor suppression. However, their accumulation is associated with various age-related symptoms, making their removal a key strategy for anti-aging companies like Rubedo.

Rubedo’s innovative approach targets a protein called GPX4, which controls cell survival. By temporarily deactivating GPX4, the drug makes senescent cells vulnerable to ferroptosis, a form of controlled cell death, and rejuvenates nearby non-senescent cells.