Reversing aging through partial epigenetic reprogramming — first in humans
Life Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering partial epigenetic reprogramming to reverse aging in living tissue. Co-founded in 2017 by Harvard geneticist David Sinclair and Tristan Edwards, the company developed the first-ever FDA-cleared therapy designed to restore youthful epigenetic patterns in human cells. The company's lead program, ER-100, delivers three Yamanaka factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4) via AAV gene therapy to rejuvenate retinal ganglion cells. In January 2026, the FDA cleared ER-100 for a first-in-human Phase 1 trial in glaucoma and NAION — making Life Biosciences the first company in the world to test epigenetic reprogramming in human patients, ahead of far better-funded competitors like Altos Labs ($3B+) and Retro Biosciences ($180M). The platform is extensible beyond ophthalmology: preclinical program ER-300 targets liver diseases (MASH/fibrosis), and a 2025 research collaboration with SingHealth Duke-NUS in Singapore is expanding the pipeline further.
| Drug / Program | Indication | Phase | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| ER-100 | Open-angle Glaucoma / NAION | Phase 1 | AAV-OSK Epigenetic Reprogramming |
| ER-300 | Liver Disease (MASH / Fibrosis) | Preclinical | Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming |
Life Biosciences launched the first-ever human trial of epigenetic reprogramming in January 2026 — an AAV gene therapy that uses three Yamanaka factors to reverse aging in the eye. Here's the full story of the company, its science, and what it means for the future of longevity medicine.
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