Longevity & AgingNew Drug Leramistat Enters Phase 2 Trial to Reverse Age-Related Muscle Loss
A London-based biotech called Istesso has started a Phase 2 clinical trial testing leramistat, an oral drug designed to reverse muscle loss in people with sarcopenia linked to rheumatoid arthritis. Sarcopenia — the gradual decline in muscle mass and strength — affects roughly one in three adults over 60 and raises the risk of falls, fractures, and early death. Unlike existing treatments that only manage symptoms, leramistat works by activating the body's own repair systems through a mechanism called mitochondrial complex I modulation. Earlier studies in rheumatoid arthritis patients showed reductions in disability and fatigue, and animal studies showed muscle function improvements beyond those seen in younger mice. The new trial will test whether these benefits translate to measurable gains in human muscle health and physical function.
