GI Innovation said on the 19th that its affiliate GI Longevity has received approval in Australia for a phase 2a clinical trial for anti-aging research. The approval is seen as an important steppingstone toward reaching the finals of the global anti-aging treatment competition "XPRIZE."
The study, approved on the 17th by Australia's Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee (Bellberry HREC), will combine GI Innovation's immuno-oncology drug "GI-102" with GI Longevity's microbiome candidate "GIB-7." The trial will evaluate key aging-related biomarkers—such as immunity, muscle strength, and cognitive function—in a total of 15 participants, including healthy adults and cancer survivors.
The combination therapy, approved by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), is scheduled to begin first-patient dosing in December at the Southern Cooperative Program for Oncology Research (SOCRU) and Novatrials in Australia. A domestic trial is also planned.
The global anti-aging market is growing rapidly. According to market research firm Precedence Research, the global anti-aging market is expected to expand from $7.79 billion (110 trillion won) in 2025 to $14.09 billion (200 trillion won) in 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%.
In May, GI Innovation advanced to the semifinals of the anti-aging treatment competition "XPRIZE Healthspan" organized by the XPRIZE Foundation in the United States, with a strategy to delay aging using the GI-102 and GIB-7 combination therapy. Semifinalist teams conduct clinical trials for about one year with support from the foundation, and the results determine whether they advance to the finals.
The 10 teams advancing to the final will be announced in July next year, and each team will receive a $1 million (14 billion won) prize. The final winning corporations will be awarded 100 billion won, and the final competition will conclude in 2030.
Jang Myeong-ho, CEO of GI Innovation, said, "We aim to find a clue to reversing aging through the convergent technologies of GI Innovation and GI Longevity," adding, "Starting this clinical trial will be a decisive springboard toward reaching the XPRIZE finals next year."