Life Biosciences is starting a clinical trial of its cellular reprogramming therapy in humans

Scientists at Life Biosciences are preparing to begin testing partial reprogramming in people. It will mark the first time such therapy, which can reset the biological age of cells, is being introduced in humans. 

Life Biosciences’ approach is partly based on the Yamanaka factors, a set of four transcription factors, namely Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc, which can reprogram an adult cell into an induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell that can virtually become any cell type in the body.

The Yamanaka factors worked well in mice, but there were concerns about their unknown potential in the body, especially with the c-Myc factor, which is particularly powerful and can trigger cancer. 

Life Biosciences to begin trial for cellular reprogramming on humans

In the quest to experiment with safer ways to apply the Yamanka factors, Yuancheng Ryan Lu, a student of Harvard’s Dr. David Sinclair, the founder of Life Biosciences, successfully regenerated eye cells in mice by introducing just three of the factors, excluding the c-Myc factor. 

Story @nature about the challenge of discovering safe epigenetic reprogramming to reverse biological age, by my student Yuancheng Lu and now in clinical trials🤞Here’s that moment: https://t.co/NFXUtXDfYB pic.twitter.com/ssYTkffGvl

— David Sinclair (@davidasinclair) April 11, 2026

Lu’s positive study in the mice forms the basis for Life Biosciences’ clinical trial targeting people with eye conditions due to aging. It will be the world’s first human trial, according to a recent report by Nature. 

The trial begins later this year and would treat up to 12 people with glaucoma. According to the report, the scientists will use a virus to introduce the three Yamanaka factors into one eye in patients whose retinal nerve has been damaged due to glaucoma. 

The team also plans to treat another 6 with NAION, which is reportedly the most common cause of sudden optic nerve-related vision loss in people over age 50. The patients will be followed up for five years, says Life Biosciences chief scientific officer, Sharon Rosenzweig-Lipson. 

Are we on the cusp of reversing aging?

The method of introducing three Yamanka factors, without c-Myc, is already proven to work well in animal studies. Sharon mentioned that similar studies in monkeys were successful, with no sign of cancer or other harmful effects. Other scientists have been able to replicate the procedure with similar positive results. 

However, the procedure is still not without some concerns. The c-Myc factor, which is being removed for a safer rejuvenation effect, is a well-known oncogene that can promote rapid cell division, which may be needed for some partially reprogrammed cells, said Vittorio Sebastiano, a biologist at the University of California, Irvine

Nevertheless, the clinical trial could mark a big breakthrough in rejuvenating old cells and potentially reversing human aging.

Many tech founders, including Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong, are pro-longevity. In March, Brian, whose biotech firm NewLimit is also focused on epigenetic reprogramming, believes that getting old will soon become optional, Cryptopolitan reported.

Getting old shouldn't be viewed as inevitable, just because it happens to everyone. It's a disease that kills over 100,000 people a day, and hopefully it will be optional in the future.

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) March 17, 2026

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