"Aging is not an unavoidable fate, but a controllable disease. By tracking changes in senescent cells with stem cells and organoids (mini organs), and by identifying aging signals in the blood to develop drugs that modulate them, we can slow aging."
At a specialized session of the 2025 BioPlus-Interphex Korea (BIX2025) held at Coex in Gangnam District, Seoul, on the 15th, Medispan CEO Cho Gyeong-a said, "In the past, aging was centered on health supplements and cosmetics, but now research is accelerating on biological therapies that directly modulate aging."
The session discussed new drug research and development technologies and strategies targeting aging, as well as regulatory limits. Panelists included Kim Deok-ho, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States, Jeon Ok-hee, a Korea University College of Medicine professor, and Choi Hak-bae, CEO of HaplScience.
As global aging accelerates, the anti-aging industry is emerging as a new bio market. It is expanding beyond simple cosmetics into disease prevention and treatment. According to Cho, the global aging market is expected to grow to $14.6 billion (Hanwha 207.4 trillion won) by 2030, and investment last year roughly doubled from 2023.
Medispan is a biotech venture founded in 2020 by Chonnam National University College of Medicine professor Cho Gyeong-a. Focusing on suppressing aging and treating geriatric diseases, the company is developing candidate substances that maximize immune activation. Cho identified that innate immune receptors are involved in aging control and lifespan extension, and based on this, is developing immune-enhancing aging control drugs.
Korea University professor Jeon Ok-hee shared her experience identifying blood-borne factors secreted by senescent cells in geriatric conditions such as sarcopenia, osteoarthritis, and ovarian aging. Jeon said, "We confirmed that factors secreted by senescent cells accelerate aging in various organs via the bloodstream and cause disease," adding, "Using this principle, I took part in the development of a new drug to eliminate senescent cells and transferred the technology to Unity Biotechnology in the United States."
Research on aging using stem cells and organoids is also underway. The research team of Johns Hopkins University professor Kim Deok-ho built a sophisticated organoid-based aging model to replace animal models. Organoids are stem cells cultured into three-dimensional structures similar to organs, also called mini organs. Kim said, "Developing an innovative aging model system that can reproduce various forms of aging is a task ahead."
Thanks to Kim's organoid technology, HaplScience was able to speed up new drug development. HaplScience is developing a new drug based on HAPLN1, a protein important for regenerating aged tissues. Using this protein, the company is developing first-in-class therapies for intractable chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and skin aging.
HaplScience began joint research in 2021 with the Johns Hopkins University team led by Kim. Developing and testing alveolar organoids, they confirmed that HAPLN1 restores the integrity of damaged lung tissue to normal levels.
Participants in the session agreed that limits on new drug development stem from aging not being recognized as a disease.
Cho said, "Currently, in the United States the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and in Europe the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have no disease code targeting aging and no biomarkers, which limits clinical research," adding, "Because of this, rather than directly targeting aging, we set geriatric diseases as the treatment target and take an indirect approach by evaluating aging-related indicators and functions through the results."
HaplScience CEO Choi Hak-bae also said, "In Korea, aging is not recognized as a disease, making clinical application difficult," adding, "Long-term and stable government support is essential for anti-aging new drug development."