Clinical Trial in Aged Dogs (SLAB Study)
With independent CRO Syngene, Genflow Biosciences is conducting the SLAB trial (Sarcopenia and Longevity in Aged Beagles), a pioneering proof-of-concept clinical study designed to evaluate whether its proprietary SIRT6 centenarian gene therapy can improve sarcopenia and healthspan elderly dogs.
The study focuses on beagles aged 10 years and older, a population chosen because canine aging shares many biological similarities with human aging, including muscle loss, frailty, reduced mobility, and metabolic decline. This makes aged dogs an ideal translational model for longevity research. The randomized, blinded study enrolled 25aged beagles, divided into four groups:
- One untreated control group
- Two naked DNA treatment cohorts at different dose levels
- One single-dose AAV8 gene therapy cohort
Preliminary Results
Interim data released in 2026 showed highly encouraging outcomes:
- All treatment modalities demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability
- Treated dogs showed better survival compared with controls
- Improvements were observed in:
- muscle mass preservation
- reduced frailty
- improved quality of life
- better coat quality and overall vitality
Control animals continued to show expected age-related decline, while treated animals maintained measurable functional improvements over time. Three-month follow-up data also confirmed sustained safety and durability of response.
Why This Matters
The SLAB study is more than a veterinary trial—it is a critical translational step toward future human therapies for age-related diseases.
Success in dogs could open opportunities for:
- Companion animal health applications
- Licensing and commercialization in animal health
- Validation of SIRT6-based therapies for human sarcopenia and longevity
This program represents one of the first real-world efforts to test a gene therapy specifically targeting biological aging, rather than a single disease.
At Genflow, we believe that extending healthy lifespan—not just lifespan—is the future of medicine. The SLAB trial is an important milestone in turning that vision into reality.