Genflow Biosciences Plc, a UK-based biotechnology company, has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to combat age-related decline—not in humans, but in man’s best friend. On August 18, 2025, the company provided a detailed update on its pioneering Dog Aging (GF-1004) study, a proof-of-concept clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of its proprietary SIRT6-centenarian gene therapy for elderly dogs. According to ACCESS Newswire, this trial is the first of its kind in the world, and it could have far-reaching implications for both veterinary and human medicine.
The randomized, controlled trial, conducted in partnership with contract research organization Syngene, involves 28 beagles, all aged 10 years or older—a population considered geriatric in canine terms. In March 2025, these dogs received three different modalities of the SIRT6 gene therapy. The results so far? Not a single ill or adverse effect has been reported among the recipients, while a control group of dogs remains untreated for comparison. The dogs are now entering a five-month follow-up period, which is expected to wrap up in January 2026.
The strategic aim of this trial is not just scientific, but also commercial. Genflow hopes that the data generated will pave the way for a licensing agreement with a leading animal health company, potentially unlocking a lucrative market for longevity therapeutics in companion animals. As noted in TipRanks, the company’s progress in this area is seen as a significant step toward securing such a partnership and could enhance Genflow’s position in the high-value companion animal segment.
GF-1004, the therapy under investigation, is a first-in-class gene therapy candidate. It targets fundamental aging mechanisms shared by both dogs and humans, operating at the mitochondrial and epigenetic levels. The hope is that by intervening in these processes, the therapy can not only extend the lifespan of dogs but also improve their quality of life—a goal that resonates with the growing number of pet owners seeking to ensure their furry companions live longer, healthier lives. The broader ambition? To use the findings as a springboard for applications in human health, opening new avenues in the rapidly expanding field of longevity therapeutics.
The objectives of the study are clear and ambitious. First, the trial seeks to confirm the feasibility of administering GF-1004 to elderly dogs. Second, it aims to validate the safety and efficacy of the therapy at the proposed dose. Third, and perhaps most intriguingly, the study is designed to demonstrate a range of benefits that are both clinically relevant and appealing to consumers. These include reduced biological age as measured by the GRIM methylation clock, increased muscle strength and mass, enhanced mitochondrial function, improved coat quality, and better overall health metrics.
Dr. Eric Leire, CEO of Genflow, expressed optimism about the trial’s progress. "Now that all dogs have received the treatment without any adverse events, we've taken an important step in confirming the treatment's safety profile. We are fully focused on advancing GF-1004 to secure a partnership with an animal health company, combining scientific and commercial expertise to pave the way for a new class of therapeutic medicines for dogs. Our shared goal is to extend the healthspan of dogs, and we believe this study will demonstrate the safety and potential efficacy of GF-1004 while opening the door to broader applications of our proprietary platform in age-related diseases in both companion animals and, ultimately, in humans."
According to TipRanks, the company’s lead compound, GF-1002, operates through the delivery of a centenarian variant of the SIRT6 gene. This gene variant has shown promising results in preclinical studies, and the current 12-month proof-of-concept clinical trial in dogs, which began in March 2025, is a key part of Genflow’s strategy to demonstrate real-world benefits.
But what exactly is SIRT6, and why the focus on this gene? SIRT6 is part of the sirtuin family of genes, which are known to play crucial roles in aging, DNA repair, and metabolic regulation. In humans, certain variants of SIRT6 have been linked to exceptional longevity—hence the term “centenarian gene.” By introducing this gene variant into elderly dogs, Genflow hopes to tap into the same mechanisms that allow some humans to live well beyond the average lifespan, with fewer age-related diseases.
The study’s design is rigorous. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive one of three modalities of the SIRT6 therapy, ensuring that results are robust and not skewed by selection bias. The use of the GRIM methylation clock—a cutting-edge biomarker of biological age—adds another layer of scientific credibility, as it allows researchers to measure not just chronological age, but the actual biological aging process at the molecular level.
For Genflow, the stakes are high. The global population of aging pets is growing, and with it, demand for therapies that can extend healthspan and address age-related decline. Success in this trial could position Genflow as a leader in the emerging market for longevity therapeutics in companion animals. But the company’s ambitions don’t stop there. As noted in both ACCESS Newswire and TipRanks, the conserved nature of aging pathways between dogs and humans means that positive results in dogs could provide a strong foundation for future expansion into human health applications. This could unlock entirely new markets and revenue streams for the company, while also addressing the pressing societal challenge of an aging global population.
Founded in 2020, Genflow Biosciences Plc is still a relative newcomer to the biotech scene, but it has moved quickly to establish itself at the forefront of anti-aging research. The company is headquartered in London, with research and development facilities in Belgium. In addition to its work on canine longevity, Genflow has plans to launch a clinical trial in 2025 exploring the potential benefits of GF-1002 in treating Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), the most prevalent chronic liver disease for which there are currently no effective treatments.
Of course, as with any biotech venture, there are risks and uncertainties. The company itself cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Success in preclinical or early-stage trials does not guarantee regulatory approval or commercial success down the line. Still, the lack of adverse effects in the current trial is a promising sign, and the upcoming months will be critical as researchers monitor the dogs for improvements in health and longevity metrics.
For investors and pet owners alike, Genflow’s progress is worth watching. The trial’s outcome could reshape not only the landscape of veterinary medicine but also inform future approaches to human aging and longevity. As the five-month follow-up period continues, all eyes will be on Genflow and its beagle cohort, hoping that this bold experiment will usher in a new era of healthspan extension for both dogs and, perhaps someday, humans.
