BioAge Signs Option Agreement for Obesity Asset from Chinese Biotech Following APJ Agonist Setback

BioAge Labs has entered into an option agreement with JiKang Therapeutics to potentially in-license a novel APJ agonist nanobody for obesity and related conditions5.

This move comes after an earlier setback in BioAge's APJ agonist program, prompting the company to expand its pipeline with new oral small molecule and long-acting biologic candidates52.

BioAge filed a provisional patent application for its chemically distinct, orally active, and highly potent small molecule APJ agonists5.

Apelin, the molecule targeted by BioAge's approach, is an exercise-induced signaling protein (exerkine) linked in preclinical studies to improved physical function and increased longevity5.

BioAge's preclinical models showed APJ agonism can double the weight loss from GLP-1 receptor agonists and improve body composition and muscle function, indicating APJ agonists as promising pharmacological exercise mimetics5.

Sources:

2. http://ftp.mass-west.com/biotech/big-pharma-backed-glycoera-counting-days-clinic-130m-raise-autoimmune-protein-degraders

5. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/03/3092813/0/en/BioAge-Expands-APJ-Agonist-Pipeline-with-Oral-Small-Molecule-and-Long-Acting-Biologic-Candidates.html