Genflow Biosciences has reported further interim results from its SIRT6c gene therapy study in ageing dogs, with the findings supporting intravenous plasmid DNA as the lead delivery method for its veterinary programme.
The blinded, controlled SLAB-VET-001 study involved 24 aged Beagles and evaluated SIRT6c delivered using two doses of plasmid DNA or an AAV8 viral vector, with saline used as the control.
At Day 182, the plasmid DNA groups recorded the largest mean reductions in epigenetic age, measured using a dog-specific DNA methylation clock. The low-dose group recorded a reduction of 1.08 years, while the high-dose group recorded a reduction of 0.48 years. The control group recorded a reduction of 0.07 years.
Ten of the 12 dogs receiving plasmid DNA had a lower measured epigenetic age than at baseline. However, differences between treatment groups and the control group did not reach statistical significance, meaning the results remain preliminary and require further evaluation.
The company also reported that SIRT6c was generally well tolerated, with no treatment-related serious adverse events or treatment-related systemic inflammatory responses observed at the interim assessment.
Preliminary muscle biopsy analysis indicated preserved muscle structure and signs of muscle regeneration in treated dogs, compared with continued muscle atrophy in the control group. No treatment-associated increase in muscle fibrosis was observed.
Ultrasound measurements showed increases in muscle mass across all groups through Day 259. The largest increases were recorded in the high-dose plasmid DNA group, at 70%, and the AAV8 group, at 60%. The control and low-dose plasmid DNA groups each recorded increases of 48%.
Based on the interim findings, Genflow has selected intravenous plasmid DNA as the lead delivery method for its veterinary SIRT6c programme. The study has also been extended to include a Day 320 assessment, allowing additional follow-up on biological age and other measures.
The results build on earlier findings from the company’s research into SIRT6c, a variant associated with centenarians. Genflow is investigating its potential to address biological processes linked to ageing, with the veterinary programme providing a route to assess the approach in companion animals.
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
