Summary
The Drive podcast episode features Lloyd Clicksteen, the Chief Scientific Officer at Restore Bio, discussing the role of rapamycin in longevity and healthspan. The discussion centers around rapamycin and its clinical application for longevity, including the recent phase 3 trial from Restore Bio, which did not meet its primary endpoint. The guests also discuss the importance of basic science and translational medicine in drug development and the challenges of translating basic science observations into useful medicines for human health. They also explore the use of rapamycin in immunosuppressive drug for transplant patients and the potential use of rapamycin in immunotherapy for cancer.
The context also discusses the use of RAD001, a drug that selectively inhibits mTORC1, and its effects on the immune system. The speakers discuss the difficulty of investigating autophagy and the potential benefits of drugs that augment autophagy. They also discuss the possibility of RAD001 administration mimicking fasting and the potential long-term consequences of fasting. The conversation also touches on the acquisition of an asset from Novartis to create the company Restore Bio and the decision to leave Novartis.
The speakers also discuss the development of a drug called rtb101, which was initially tested for its ability to prevent respiratory tract infections and enhance immune function. The drug was found to be effective in decreasing infections, and the best results were seen with the catalytic inhibitor alone. The drug's potential benefits include reducing infections and increasing cancer surveillance. The conversation involves a discussion on various mechanisms that can extend health span in preclinical models, including increased autophagy, targeting of senescent cells, reduction of inflammation, and enhanced mitophagy.
Overall, the podcast episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current research and development in the field of longevity and healthspan, focusing on the use of rapamycin and other drugs to target mTOR and enhance autophagy. The guests also discuss the challenges and opportunities in translating basic science observations into useful medicines for human health.
