Life Biosciences

Type: Company (Longevity biotech, Boston) Co-founder / Scientific lead: David Sinclair (Harvard Medical School) CEO: Jerry McLaughlin (since 2021)

Life Biosciences received FDA approval in January 2026 for the first-in-human clinical trial of partial epigenetic reprogramming — a direct test of David Sinclair's "information theory of aging." The Phase 1 trial delivers three Yamanaka factors (OSK; c-Myc excluded) via viral vector to one eye in ~12 glaucoma patients, with up to 6 NAION patients to follow. A doxycycline-inducible genetic switch provides a shut-off mechanism.

This is a landmark: the longevity-reprogramming field has lived only in mice since Yamanaka's 2006 discovery. Life Biosciences is the first company to cross the FDA threshold.

Key Contributions

• First human trial of partial reprogramming (FDA approved Jan 2026) — (Life Biosciences FDA)
• OSK-only factor cocktail — excludes c-Myc to reduce tumor risk. (Life Biosciences FDA)
• Doxycycline-inducible switch — novel safety mechanism for reprogramming delivery. (Life Biosciences FDA)
• Multi-year monkey safety data — no cancer observed in non-human primates. (Life Biosciences FDA)

Mentioned In

• Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming — flagship clinical test
• Gene Therapy Delivery — viral vector + doxycycline switch

Related Entities

• David Sinclair — co-founder and scientific theorist
• Harvard Medical School — Sinclair's home institution (note: Harvard Medical is distinct from Broad; if not yet a separate entity page, see Broad)