# Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly Reveal GLP-1 Aging Clock Data Clinical data suggests semaglutide and tirzepatide may slow molecular markers of biological aging. - **Source:** [Hacker News (news.ycombinator.com)](https://brifing.si/source/13c923cd-6d99-442b-9b8b-1181f4d8cd91) - **Published:** 2026-10-20 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/176b37f6-8260-4a7f-b5ea-51d61585fa03 ## GLP-1 Longevity Signals Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly presented early data at the ARDD conference suggesting GLP-1 agonists may slow molecular aging. Novo’s study of 10,052 participants indicated a two to three-year shift in biological age. Meanwhile, Lilly’s sub-study within SURMOUNT-5 showed epigenetic clocks tracking slower aging than the 1.38 years of elapsed time. ## Novo’s Proteomic Clock Findings Novo Nordisk analyzed blood samples from 10,052 individuals, comparing semaglutide users against a placebo group. Proteomic clocks revealed a broad slowdown in aging markers, with heart-related protein clocks showing up to four years of improvement. These effects were observed within 13 to 20 weeks and remained sustained over a 150-week period. ## Lilly’s Epigenetic Pilot Study Eli Lilly’s sub-study of the SURMOUNT-5 trial utilized paired whole-blood samples from 71 subjects treated with tirzepatide. Analysis by Zymo Research and TruDiagnostic confirmed that all 15 epigenetic clocks showed reduced aging relative to the 1.38-year study duration. Results indicated significant improvements in immune, kidney, liver, and cardiovascular organ-specific biological clocks. ## Molecular Mechanisms of Action Lilly’s analysis identified 21 proteins that significantly changed by week 72, labeled as EpiScores. These changes suggest reduced metabolic inflammation and innate inflammatory signaling, alongside increased adaptive immune surveillance. The findings parallel biological shifts typically observed in caloric restriction and bariatric surgery studies, providing a potential mechanism for observed longevity. ## Study Limitations and Caveats Lilly emphasized that its sub-study was small, single-arm, and lacked a placebo control group. Some clock signals remained discordant, and specific predicted protein changes did not align with actual measurements. Consequently, the company classified these findings as preliminary and hypothesis-generating, requiring replication in larger, randomized controlled trials to confirm clinical validity. ## Expert Perspectives on Geroprotectors Steve Horvath, inventor of aging clocks, noted that the two-year effect is strong, potentially classifying GLP-1 drugs as geroprotectors. However, experts like Vadim Gladyshev and Horvath cautioned that evidence remains limited to unhealthy populations. They noted that the benefits for healthy individuals are currently unknown and highlighted potential side effects like muscle loss. ## Future Research and Regulation Research into healthy populations is expanding, with ARPA-H allocating $38 million for a Texas-based study on semaglutide in healthy adults over 60. This project aims to assess cognition, mobility, and sensory acuity. The initiative seeks to establish a formal regulatory pathway for anti-aging drugs and foster a new therapeutic industry focused on longevity. ## Strategic Industry Implications By applying biological-age readouts to their GLP-1 franchises, Novo and Lilly are building the evidence base requested by FDA panels. Novo is actively exploring consumer indications across diverse areas, including addiction, pain management, and women’s health. These efforts leverage their existing portfolio of incretins and anti-inflammatory assets to expand market reach. ## Sources covering this story - https://trial.medpath.com/news/novo-nordisk-and-eli-lilly-report-glp-1-signals-of-slowed-biological-aging-at-ardd — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._