---
title: "AI-designed lung drug rentosertib shows shifts in proteomic aging clocks in phase 2a trial"
id: "medical-news-today-0-ai-designed-lung-disease-drug-lowers-biological-age-markers-in-early-trial"
canonical_url: "https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-ai-designed-lung-disease-drug-lowers-biological-age-markers-in-early-trial"
content_type: "clinical_feed_article"
specialty: "Pulmonology"
source_name: "Medical News Today"
source_url: "https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ai-designed-lung-disease-drug-lowers-biological-age-markers-early-trial/"
published_at: "2026-09-13T10:10:00.000Z"
evidence_level: "Verified Feed"
license: "CC-BY-NC-4.0 / Informational Use"
---
# AI-designed lung drug rentosertib shows shifts in proteomic aging clocks in phase 2a trial
## Provenance & Clinical Metadata
- **Canonical URL:** https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/medical-news-today-0-ai-designed-lung-disease-drug-lowers-biological-age-markers-in-early-trial
- **Specialty:** [Pulmonology](https://medichelpline.com/clinical-feed/pulmonology.md)
- **Primary Source:** Medical News Today
- **Source URL:** [Original Journal Publication](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ai-designed-lung-disease-drug-lowers-biological-age-markers-early-trial/)
- **Published At:** 2026-09-13T10:10:00.000Z
- **Evidence Rating:** Verified Feed
## Executive GIST (TL;DR)
- Researchers reported phase 2a results for an **AI-designed** drug, **rentosertib**, in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); the trial assessed effects on proteomic measures of biological age. - The study enrolled 42 participants with confirmed IPF and collected blood samples over a 12-week treatment period. - Investigators measured concentrations of more than **2,800 proteins** and applied those data to six different **proteomic aging clocks** to estimate predicted biological age. - The six clocks included ipfP3GPT, OrganAge (chronological and mortality variants), PAC, PAOPAC, and ProtAge. - Across all six models, the proteomic signatures shifted toward a younger predicted biological age; the reported “peak effect” occurred at week 4. - Reported magnitude of change was about a **3–4 year** reversal on most clocks and up to **6 years** on one specific clock at peak effect. - Rentosertib is a **TNIK (TRAF2- and NCK-interacting kinase) inhibitor**; TNIK has been linked to cell growth, brain health, cancers, fibrotic diseases including IPF, and metabolic disorders in prior work. - Experts quoted in the report cautioned that these biomarker shifts do not prove reversal of human aging: the trial was small, limited to patients with IPF, and lasted 12 weeks, so changes might reflect improvement in underlying disease rather than true rejuvenation. - Commentators emphasized the clinical goal is to extend **healthspan** (years lived healthy and functional) rather than only increasing lifespan, and that biomarker changes need to be tied to functional outcomes. - The article notes AI was used both to identify TNIK as a target and to help design rentosertib; an early development program reportedly advanced from target discovery to a preclinical candidate in approximately 18 months, illustrating potential acceleration with AI while retaining the need for rigorous clinical trials.
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man, with coloured lights in the background](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/getty_1019892470_header_1296x728-1024x575.jpg)[Share on Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com%2Farticles%2Fai-designed-lung-disease-drug-lowers-biological-age-markers-early-trial&media=https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.post.rvohealth.io%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F3%2F2026%2F09%2Fgetty_1019892470_header_1296x728-1024x575.jpg&description=Longevity%3A%20AI-designed%20drug%20appears%20to%20slow%20down%20aging%20in%20trial "Share on Pinterest")Can AI help scientists find a way to reverse biological aging? Klaus Vedfelt/ DigitalVision/ Getty Images * **As AI becomes more commonplace in our everyday lives, the same is happening in health care.** * **Researchers are using AI to help predict certain diseases, as well as develop new drugs.** * **A new phase 2a trial found that an AI-designed drug called rentosertib may help reverse predicted biological aging.** As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more commonplace at work and in our everyday lives, the same is happening in [health care](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12455834/). For example, researchers are already looking at using AI to assist with the [prediction](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12369792/) of certain diseases, including [Alzheimer’s disease](https://www.ibroneuroscience.org/article/S0306-4522\(25\)01177-7/fulltext), [Parkinson’s diseaseTrusted Source](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-96575-6), and [breast cancer](https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.251309). Scientists are also using AI to [develop](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12908618/) medications and therapies. For instance, in June 2026, researchers announced the development of the world’s [first vaccine designed by AI](https://www.journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-4453\(26\)00084-8/fulltext) and [successfully tested](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/world-first-vaccine-designed-by-ai-tested-humans-will-it-live-up-to-the-hype) on humans. There’s also several [anti-cancer drugs](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9963982/) designed by AI currently being studied. **On September 7, a new study published in the journal[Nature BiotechnologyTrusted Source](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-026-03286-y) announced the phase 2a clinical trial results for another AI-designed drug called [rentosertib](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12353801/), showing the medication may help reverse predicted [biological aging](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/chronological-aging). ** ## Applying proteins to 6 proteomic aging clocks Rentosertib is an AI-designed [TRAF2- and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) inhibitor](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13007226/). TNIK is a protein enzyme found throughout the body that plays an important role in cell growth and brain health. Past studies have linked overactive TNIK activity to certain health conditions, including [certain cancers](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8178189/), fibrotic diseases like [idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12353801/), and [metabolic disordersTrusted Source](https://www.cell.com/trends/pharmacological-sciences/fulltext/S0165-6147\(24\)00090-7). For this study, researchers collected blood samples from 42 participants taking rentosertib at different times over a 12-week period. The participants had a confirmed IPF diagnosis, and otherwise were not healthy adults. Scientists measured the concentrations of more than 2,800 different proteins in the blood samples, which were then applied to six different types of [proteomic aging clocksTrusted Source](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42162380/) — a test that uses protein patterns and machine learning to measure a person’s biological age, rather than their calendar age. The six proteomic aging clocks included: * [ipfP3GPT](https://www.aging-us.com/article/206295/text) (developed by Insilico Medicine, which created rentosertib) * [OrganAge](https://github.com/hamiltonoh/organage) (chronological and mortality variants) * [PAC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11320350/) (Proteomic Aging Clock) * [PAOPAC](https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.24.720503v1) (Proteome-Aware Organ Proxy Aging Clock) * [ProtAgeTrusted Source](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03164-7) ## Rentosertib may help reverse biological aging At the study’s conclusion, researchers found that study participants taking rentosertib experienced reversal of predicted biological aging through six different models of proteomic aging clocks. The “peak effect” reportedly took place at week 4, with participants showing about a 3 to 4-year reversal in biological age, and up to six years in a specific aging clock. [Dung Trinh, MD](https://www.memorialcare.org/providers/dung-trinh), an internist for MemorialCare Medical Group and chief medical officer of the Healthy Brain Clinic in Irvine, CA — who was not involved in this study — said these findings are exciting, but need to be interpreted cautiously. “The study found that six different proteomic aging clocks all shifted toward a younger predicted biological age in patients treated with rentosertib, which is intriguing because the signal was consistent across multiple models,” Trinh told _Medical News Today_. > “However, this does not prove that the drug reverses human aging. The study was small, involved patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and lasted only 12 weeks, so some of the [biomarkerTrusted Source](https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/biomarkers) changes may reflect improvement in the underlying disease.” > — Dung Trinh, MD “I see it as a promising signal that we may be getting better at measuring how treatments affect biology associated with aging, but there is not yet evidence that patients can be made biologically younger,” Trinh added. ## Goal is to extend health span, not just life span _MNT_ also spoke with [Zeeshan Khan, MD](https://www.getcare.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/provider/zeeshan-khan/5846735), chief of geriatric medicine at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in New Jersey, who told _MNT_ that while the findings are exciting, particularly because multiple measures of biological aging moved in the same direction. **However, a younger score on an aging clock is not the same as proving we have reversed aging.** “What ultimately matters is whether patients live healthier and more functional lives,” Khan, who likewise was not involved in this study, explained. > “In geriatrics, our goal isn’t simply to extend one’s life span, it’s to extend their healthspan. That is to say, we want to increase the years that people remain healthy, independent, and cognitively/physically functional.” > — Zeeshan Khan, MD “If we are able to safely target biological processes that contribute to multiple age-related diseases at the same time, the impact could be much greater than treating each disease only after it develops,” he added. ## AI to play increasing role in drug discovery As rentosertib is a drug that was discovered and designed using generative AI, _MNT_ asked[Peter Gliebus, MD](https://baptisthealth.net/doctors/gediminas-gliebus/2730213), chief of neurology and director of cognitive and behavioral neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, a part of Baptist Health South Florida, if this is where the future of drug development is going. Gliebus said he does think artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in drug development, as it has the ability to analyze enormous amounts of biological and molecular data much more rapidly than traditional approaches, and potentially identify drug targets or compounds that researchers might otherwise overlook. “Rentosertib is an interesting example because AI was used both to identify TNIK as a potential therapeutic target and to help design the molecule that inhibits it,” he explained. “The earlier development program reportedly progressed from target discovery to a preclinical candidate in approximately 18 months. That illustrates the potential for AI to make parts of drug discovery faster and more efficient,” he continued. > **AI won’t be replacing humans** > “At the same time, AI will not replace the need for physicians, scientists or rigorous clinical trials. A computer can help identify a promising molecule, but researchers still have to determine whether that molecule is safe, whether it actually works in humans and whether its benefits outweigh its risks. I see AI as a powerful tool that could accelerate drug development rather than something that replaces the traditional scientific process.” > — Peter Gliebus, MD * [Clinical Trials / Drug Trials](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/clinical_trials) * [Seniors / Aging](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/seniors) * [antiaging](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/categories/cat1-antiaging) ### How we reviewed this article: History Share this article [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com%2Farticles%2Fai-designed-lung-disease-drug-lowers-biological-age-markers-early-trial%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook%26utm_campaign%3Dsocial-sharebar-referred-desktop "Share on Facebook") [](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?via=mnt&text=Longevity%3A%20AI-designed%20drug%20appears%20to%20slow%20down%20aging%20in%20trial&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalnewstoday.com%2Farticles%2Fai-designed-lung-disease-drug-lowers-biological-age-markers-early-trial%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dx%26utm_campaign%3Dsocial-sharebar-referred-desktop "Share on X") Written by Corrie Pelc on September 13, 2026 — Fact checked by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. ## Was this article helpful? YesNo ### Read next * [![Thumbnail for article: Targeting this protein could help combat aging](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/324163_1100-732x549.jpg)](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/324163/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) [Targeting this protein could help combat aging](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/324163/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) ![Headshot of Catharine Paddock, Ph.D.](https://post.medicalnewstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/500x500_Catharine_Paddock.png) Written by: [Catharine Paddock, Ph.D.](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/authors/catharine-paddock) [Reducing an RNA-binding protein that increases with age improved mitochondrial function in old mice. The finding could lead to new targets to combat aging.](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/324163/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) * [![Thumbnail for article: Scientists rejuvenate aging cells from children with progeria](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/chromosome-with-telomeres.jpg)](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/318740/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) [Scientists rejuvenate aging cells from children with progeria](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/318740/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) [Using a new approach that lengthens shortened telomeres in chromosomes, researchers reverse many markers of aging in cells from children with progeria.](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/318740/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) * [![Thumbnail for article: Ageotypes: Why do people age differently?](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/327495_2200-732x549.jpg)](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327495/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) [Ageotypes: Why do people age differently?](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327495/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) [Stanford University researchers have identified four different biological pathways for aging. This finding may help people slow down aspects of old age.](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327495/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) * [![Thumbnail for article: Eradicating mitochondria from cells may reverse aging](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/mitochondria-3.jpg)](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/306179/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) [Eradicating mitochondria from cells may reverse aging](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/306179/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) [Scientists found that removing mitochondria from human cells reduced levels of markers linked to cellular aging, proving that mitochondria play a crucial role in the aging process.](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/healthy/306179/?utm_source=ReadNextRAAS) * [![Thumbnail for article: Has a small trial stumbled upon a way to reverse biological aging?](https://media.post.rvoheal
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