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, announced advances in its apelin receptor (APJ) agonist programs that strengthen the Company’s pipeline of approaches for obesity and other indications. BioAge has entered into an option agreement with JiKang Therapeutics (“JiKang”) to potentially in-license a novel APJ agonist nanobody. BioAge has also filed a provisional patent application covering internally developed, novel small molecule APJ agonists.

Apelin is an exercise-induced signaling molecule, known as an exerkine, which has been shown in preclinical studies to recapitulate many of the downstream benefits of exercise. BioAge identified apelin signaling as a therapeutic target based on analysis of human aging cohorts by the Company's platform, which revealed that higher levels of circulating apelin are predictive of both improved physical function and increased longevity. BioAge has shown that in preclinical obesity models, APJ agonism can approximately double the weight loss induced by GLP-1 receptor agonists while restoring healthy body composition and improving muscle function, suggesting that APJ agonists could serve as pharmacological exercise mimetics to enhance incretin therapy.

The Company plans to advance APJ agonists designed for both oral and subcutaneous administration in order to serve both segments of the obesity market, with the goal of filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for an asset from its APJ program in 2026.

“Apelin is a key target in metabolic aging, and we’re happy to share significant updates on BioAge’s next-generation approaches to APJ agonism,” said Kristen Fortney, PhD, CEO and co-founder of BioAge. “Our preclinical data show that APJ agonism can amplify GLP-1–driven weight loss; by developing a long-acting injectable and an all-oral combination option in parallel, we aim to match diverse dosing preferences while driving greater efficacy and better body-composition outcomes.”

Option Agreement with JiKang for Novel APJ Agonist Antibody

BioAge has secured an option to license JiKang Therapeutics’ novel APJ-agonist nanobody, a single-domain antibody with potential applications in metabolic disease treatment. The nanobody developed by JiKang demonstrates exceptional pharmacological properties: at least 10-fold more potent than apelin, the natural ligand of APJ, with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) comparable to best-in-class small molecule APJ agonists.

JiKang is a biotechnology company specializing in targeting G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) for weight loss and metabolic diseases. JiKang was founded by Fei Xu, PhD, whose research group has pioneered foundational research on APJ structure and function at ShanghaiTech University for over a decade. "This collaboration with BioAge marks a critical step toward translating our APJ program from bench research to clinical applications," said Xu. "We are committed to advancing this innovative therapeutic candidate for patients worldwide."

Under the terms of the agreement, BioAge and JiKang will jointly advance the APJ agonist nanobody to the beginning of IND-enabling studies. BioAge holds an exclusive, pre-negotiated option to license the program; if exercised, BioAge will be solely responsible for worldwide development and commercialization across all indications. JiKang will receive an upfront option payment and research funding at signing, and is eligible for an option-exercise fee plus further development, regulatory, and sales-based milestones and tiered royalties, all subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Expansion of Intellectual Property for Novel Small Molecule APJ Agonists

BioAge is rapidly advancing its internal small molecule APJ agonist program. In May 2025 the Company filed a U.S. provisional patent for a new class of orally active, chemically distinct apelin receptor agonists that deliver picomolar potency together with drug-like attributes: excellent pharmacokinetics, high solubility, and metabolic stability. The design of these novel leads was supported by computational modeling based on cryo-EM–based structural insights, rapid analog synthesis, and AI design initiatives.