BioAge Labs Launches Phase 2 Trial for Cardiovascular Drug BGE-102

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study will determine the optimal dosage for future Phase 3 clinical development. BGE-102 functions by binding to a novel site on the NLRP3 protein, a mechanism that showed significant reductions in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) during earlier Phase 1 testing. BioAge Labs positions the drug as a potential best-in-class candidate due to its once-daily oral administration and favorable safety profile.

This milestone cements a long-term partnership between BioAge and the Chengdu-based HitGen, which began with the identification of lead compounds in 2021. The companies have since published joint research on indazole inhibitors and filed several patents related to the platform’s discovery process. Dr. Jin Li, CEO of HitGen, noted that the advancement validates the efficiency of their screening technology, which currently houses over 1.2 trillion small molecules. BioAge CEO Kristen Fortney confirmed that the team is already looking beyond the QUELL-CV trial, intending to continue using the platform to identify starting points for additional therapeutic targets. Topline data from the current Phase 2 study are expected in the second half of 2026.