The geroscience trial platform aims to accelerate the development of geroprotective treatments targeting the biological mechanisms of ageing by creating a trial platform that brings together academic partners and industry.

The geroscientific medicine of tomorrow will directly target the biology of ageing. Ageing is the primary risk factor for functional decline and age-related chronic diseases. As suggested by the geroscience theory, by acting on the biological ageing process that underlies age-related diseases (such as dementia, diabetes, cancer, heart disease) and functional decline, we can remain healthier and more functionally active for longer. In other words, prevention efforts targeting biological ageing are based on a systemic perspective rather than focusing on a single disease—where the biology of ageing is an integral part of functional decline and multiple diseases, and where prevention can be managed before the onset of chronic diseases and disability.

IHU HealthAge will establish a framework and an international platform to connect clinical trials testing new gerontology medications. This platform leverages Toulouse’s expertise in conducting small, medium, and large-scale trials. Furthermore, the platform benefits from the leadership of the team in international guidelines to define a set of outcome variables (tests) to compare the efficacy of interventions on the biology of ageing across trials. The trial platform will include a trial biobank to validate new biomarkers of ageing in response to new treatments and, in a preclinical platform, will test the causality of new interventions in the INSPIRE animal models in Toulouse.

The objectives of the geroscience trial platform are:

  • To conduct preclinical trials on animals (mice and fish) and clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of innovative treatments in geroscience (gerotherapy). The trials align with the objectives of IHU HealthAge, focusing on preventing functional decline with age and preventing ageing-related diseases.
  • To evaluate the relevance of new biological markers of ageing, particularly their sensitivity to pharmacological or non-pharmacological interventions. For example, the ICOPE Intense project will evaluate the impact of a high-intensity ICOPE programme on biological markers of ageing in individuals at high risk of functional decline. This proof-of-concept study will also assess the potential synergistic effect of ketone body supplementation.