Genflow Biosciences has reported preliminary results from a study investigating its SIRT6 gene therapy in older dogs, with early findings relating to muscle condition and biological ageing.
The study assessed the safety of the treatment and its potential effects on age-related changes. It involved 24 dogs aged over 10 years, divided into four groups receiving either control treatments or different doses of the gene therapy.
Genflow reported no treatment-related inflammatory response or negative impact on quality of life in the treated dogs. The company also observed changes in DNA methylation measurements, with the low-dose group showing a reduction equivalent to approximately one year in methylation clock age and the high-dose group showing a reduction of around six months.
Muscle assessments also indicated potential benefits. Ultrasound measurements showed improvements in muscle mass in treated dogs, while biopsy results indicated larger muscle fibres and lower levels of fibrosis compared with the saline control group.
The company cautioned that the findings are preliminary. The study was designed as a proof of concept and involved a relatively small number of animals, meaning the results do not establish statistical significance or confirm treatment effectiveness.
Genflow plans to continue monitoring the dogs for two years, with further analysis of biological ageing measurements and gene expression. A larger study involving multiple dog breeds is being considered as the next stage of development.
The research also supports Genflow’s wider work on SIRT6-based treatments for human health conditions, including sarcopenia and liver disease. The company is investigating how the findings could contribute to the development of its human programmes, although different gene delivery methods will be required.
Genflow Biosciences plc (LON:GENF, OTCQB:GENFF, FRA:WQ5) is a UK-based biotech firm with R&D facilities in Belgium focused on developing novel therapeutic approaches that potentially halt or slow the aging process in humans and dogs supporting longer, healthier lives
