BioAge Labs completes IND-enabling studies for BGE-102, a potent, orally available, brain-penetrant NLRP3 inhibitor, and advances candidate toward the clinic

Rhea-AI Summary

BioAge Labs has completed IND-enabling studies for BGE-102, a novel oral NLRP3 inhibitor targeting obesity treatment. The compound demonstrated significant results in preclinical studies, achieving 15% weight reduction as monotherapy and over 20% weight reduction when combined with semaglutide. BGE-102 features high potency (2 nM IC90 in human microglia), brain penetration, and favorable safety profile, supporting once-daily dosing of less than 50 mg. The company plans to submit an IND application in mid-2025, with Phase 1 SAD data expected by year-end and a Phase 1b proof-of-concept obesity study planned for H2 2026. The drug's unique mechanism targets NLRP3, which BioAge identified as linked to longevity through analysis of human aging cohorts.

Positive

• Preclinical studies showed 15% weight reduction with BGE-102 monotherapy, comparable to semaglutide
• Combination with semaglutide achieved over 20% weight reduction, showing additive effects
• High potency with 2 nM IC90 in human microglia and favorable brain penetration ratio of ~1
• Strong safety profile with 35-75x safety margin for predicted human dose
• Low predicted daily dose (<50 mg) with convenient once-daily oral administration

Negative

• Clinical trials haven't started yet - still in preclinical stage
• Phase 1b proof-of-concept study won't begin until second half of 2026
• Efficacy in humans remains unproven despite promising preclinical results

Insights

Biotechnology Drug Development Expert

BioAge's BGE-102 NLRP3 inhibitor shows promising preclinical results for obesity with significant advantages over existing treatments.

BioAge Labs has reached a significant development milestone with BGE-102, their novel NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor. The completion of IND-enabling studies represents a critical step in advancing this compound toward clinical trials, with IND filing planned for mid-2025 and initial Phase 1 data expected before year-end.

The preclinical data package for BGE-102 is particularly impressive. The compound demonstrated dose-dependent weight loss of approximately 15% as monotherapy in mouse models, comparable to semaglutide (Wegovy/Ozempic). More significantly, when combined with semaglutide, BGE-102 produced additive effects resulting in >20% weight reduction, suggesting potential as a complementary therapy to GLP-1 receptor agonists.

BGE-102's molecular profile offers several potential advantages over competitors in the NLRP3 inhibitor space. The compound has high potency (2 nM IC90 in human microglia), excellent brain penetration (brain-to-plasma ratio of ~1), and pharmacokinetics supporting once-daily oral dosing at <50 mg. This contrasts favorably with injectable GLP-1 therapies, potentially offering a more convenient alternative or complementary treatment.

The safety profile appears robust, with toxicology studies showing a 35-75x safety margin for the predicted human dose and no adverse effects in 28-day GLP toxicology studies. This suggests a potentially favorable therapeutic window.

BioAge's approach is scientifically distinctive, having identified NLRP3 as a therapeutic target through analysis of human aging cohorts. This positions BGE-102 at the intersection of metabolic disease and aging biology, potentially addressing both neuroinflammation (which disrupts appetite regulation) and systemic inflammation (a cardiovascular risk factor in obesity).

If successful in human trials, BGE-102 could represent a novel oral treatment option in the rapidly expanding obesity market, either as monotherapy or in combination with existing GLP-1 receptor agonists to enhance weight loss outcomes while potentially addressing inflammation-related comorbidities.

IND submission planned for mid-2025 with Phase 1 SAD data anticipated by year end

BGE-102 induced weight loss in preclinical obesity models, both as monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists

Internally discovered compound has a novel binding site and potential best-in-class profile supporting once daily dosing

EMERYVILLE, Calif., May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BioAge Labs, Inc. ("BioAge", "the Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutic product candidates for metabolic diseases by targeting the biology of human aging, today announced completion of IND-enabling studies for BGE-102 and updated clinical development milestones for the compound. BGE-102 is a structurally novel, orally available small-molecule NLRP3 inhibitor with high potency and brain penetration. BioAge is initially developing BGE-102 for the treatment of obesity.

Chronic activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome due to aging, cellular stress, or nutrient excess can lead to inflammation that drives various diseases. BioAge identified NLRP3 as a therapeutic target based on analysis of human aging cohorts by the Company’s platform, which revealed that reduced NLRP3 activity is associated with greater longevity. In obesity, NLRP3 activation contributes to both neuroinflammation, which disrupts appetite regulation, and systemic inflammation, which is elevated in patients with obesity and is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

BGE-102 potently induces weight loss as monotherapy and in combination with incretins in obese mice

In preclinical models of obesity, BGE-102 monotherapy produced dose-dependent weight loss similar in magnitude to semaglutide, with optimal doses achieving approximately 15% weight reduction (Figure 1). The weight loss, driven by reduced food intake, was sustained over 28 days of treatment. BGE-102 treatments also yielded improvements in insulin sensitivity, similar in magnitude to those seen with semaglutide.

Figure 1. BGE-102 resulted in significant, dose-dependent increases in overall weight loss compared to placebo in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. Group size: n=8–10 per group. BGE-102 75 mpk vs. obese control, Day 27: p<0.0001. Note: BGE-102 is 150–250x more potent in human microglia, the target cell in the brain, compared to mouse microglia, consistent with <50 mg predicted daily dose.

When combined with semaglutide, BGE-102 produced additive weight loss effects, with the combination achieving over 20% weight reduction (Figure 2), consistent with application as a complementary therapy with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Figure 2. BGE-102 resulted in significant additive weight loss when combined with GLP-1R agonist semaglutide. Group size: n=8–10 per group. BGE-102 50 mpk + semaglutide vs. obese control, Day 27: p<0.0001. Note: BGE-102 is 150–250x more potent in human microglia, the target cell in the brain, compared to mouse microglia, consistent with <50 mg predicted daily dose.

“By inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome, BGE-102 targets a core pathway that links metabolism, inflammation, and aging,” said Kristen Fortney, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of BioAge. “Its potential potency, brain penetration, and pharmacokinetics which suggest the possibility for once-daily dosing position BGE-102 as a convenient oral therapy for obesity—either alone or alongside GLP-1 receptor agonists—and may unlock additional opportunities in diseases driven by NLRP3-mediated inflammation.”

Potential best-in-class molecular profile with high potency, brain penetration, and attractive safety margin

BGE-102 features a novel structure with a unique binding site that differentiates it from other NLRP3 inhibitors in development. The compound is highly brain penetrant with a brain-to-plasma ratio of approximately 1, and highly potent with a 2 nM IC90 in human microglia, the target cells in the brain. The compound's potency and pharmacokinetic properties are consistent with the potential to achieve greater than 90% inhibition of NLRP3 in the brain over 24 hours with a predicted human dose of less than 50 mg once daily, providing convenient oral administration.

BGE-102 has demonstrated a favorable preclinical safety profile with no adverse findings in in vitro safety assessments, safety pharmacology, and behavioral studies. Toxicology studies have shown a 35–75x safety margin for the predicted human dose, with no adverse effects observed in 28-day GLP toxicology studies.

        
Upcoming clinical development milestones

BioAge plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for BGE-102 in mid-2025. Following IND clearance, the Company expects to initiate a Phase 1 single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) clinical trial, with initial SAD data anticipated by the end of 2025.

Following successful Phase 1 results, BioAge plans to initiate a Phase 1b proof-of-concept study in obesity in the second half of 2026.

About BioAge Labs, Inc.

BioAge is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutic product candidates for metabolic diseases by targeting the biology of human aging. The Company's lead product candidate, BGE-102, is a potent, orally available, brain-penetrant small-molecule NLRP3 inhibitor being developed for diseases driven by inflammation, including obesity. BGE-102 has demonstrated significant weight loss in preclinical models both as monotherapy and in combination with GLP-1 receptor agonists. IND submission and initiation of a Phase 1 SAD/MAD trial are planned for mid-2025, with initial SAD data anticipated by end of year. The Company’s pipeline also includes novel APJ agonists. BioAge’s additional preclinical programs, which leverage insights from the Company’s proprietary discovery platform built on human longevity data, address key pathways involved in metabolic aging.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of, and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our plans to develop and commercialize our product candidates, including BGE-102, the timing and results of our planned clinical trials, risks associated with clinical trials, including our ability to adequately manage clinical activities, the timing of our IND filing for BGE-102 and our ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals, the clinical utility of our product candidates, and general economic, industry and market conditions. These forward-looking statements may be accompanied by such words as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “will,” “would,” and other words and terms of similar meaning. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in such statements, including: our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for and commercialize our product candidates; the timing and results of preclinical studies and clinical trials; the risk that positive results in a preclinical study or clinical trial may not be replicated in subsequent trials or success in early stage clinical trials may not be predictive of results in later stage clinical trials; risks associated with clinical trials, including our ability to adequately manage clinical activities, unexpected concerns that may arise from additional data or analysis obtained during clinical trials, regulatory authorities may require additional information or further studies, or may fail to approve or may delay approval of our drug candidates; the occurrence of adverse safety events; failure to protect and enforce our intellectual property, and other proprietary rights; failure to successfully execute or realize the anticipated benefits of our strategic and growth initiatives; risks relating to technology failures or breaches; our dependence on collaborators and other third parties for the development of product candidates and other aspects of our business, which are outside of our full control; risks associated with current and potential delays, work stoppages, or supply chain disruptions, including due to the imposition of tariffs and other trade barriers; risks associated with current and potential future healthcare reforms; risks relating to attracting and retaining key personnel; changes in or failure to comply with legal and regulatory requirements, including shifting priorities within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; risks relating to access to capital and credit markets; and the other risks and uncertainties that are detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” included in BioAge’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on May 6, 2025, and BioAge’s other filings with the SEC filed from time to time. BioAge undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Contacts
PR: Chris Patil, media@bioagelabs.com
IR: Dov Goldstein, ir@bioagelabs.com
Partnering: partnering@bioagelabs.com
Web: https://bioagelabs.com

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/48a633db-fdf1-45da-b08e-f9f933cf64e4

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/63613b30-dc29-42d5-8438-b60bed365342

FAQ

What is BGE-102 and how does it work for weight loss?

BGE-102 is an oral NLRP3 inhibitor that targets obesity by reducing inflammation in the brain and body. In preclinical studies, it achieved 15% weight reduction alone and over 20% when combined with semaglutide.

When will BioAge Labs (BIOA) begin clinical trials for BGE-102?

BioAge plans to submit an IND application in mid-2025, with Phase 1 single ascending dose data expected by end of 2025 and Phase 1b obesity trials starting in H2 2026.

What are the advantages of BGE-102 compared to other obesity treatments?

BGE-102 offers once-daily oral dosing (<50mg), high brain penetration, strong safety profile, and can be used alone or combined with GLP-1 agonists for enhanced weight loss effects.

How effective was BGE-102 in preclinical obesity studies?

In preclinical studies, BGE-102 achieved 15% weight reduction as monotherapy and over 20% weight reduction when combined with semaglutide, while also improving insulin sensitivity.

What is the safety profile of BioAge's BGE-102?

BGE-102 showed a favorable safety profile with 35-75x safety margin for predicted human dose and no adverse effects in 28-day toxicology studies or safety assessments.