EP739 - ECE_3957 - A novel secreted protein, JUV-161, reverses structural and functional muscle decline in Sarcopenia
Year: 2026
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Age-related sarcopenia is characterized by progressive skeletal muscle wasting, reduced fiber size, and loss of strength, leading to functional decline and increased frailty risk. Current therapeutic options are limited, highlighting the need for interventions that both preserve muscle mass and restore muscle function. At Juvena Therapeutics, we have developed a biologics-based drug discovery platform focused on identifying stem-cell secreted proteins capable of restoring tissue health in aged individuals. JUV-161 is a novel secreted protein engineered to promote muscle regeneration, repair, and functional recovery. To evaluate the efficacy of JUV161 in sarcopenia, we treated aged C57BL/6 male mice (23-25 months old) with daily subcutaneous injections of JUV-161 (12 mg/kg) or vehicle control for three weeks followed by the assessment of body composition, muscle function and tissue histopathology. JUV-161 treatment significantly improved body composition, as indicated by percent increase in lean mass from the baseline compared with vehicle-treated controls (+1.12% vs −3.23% in vehicle). Histological analysis revealed that JUV-161 reversed muscle aging in terms of fiber type composition, with increased frequency of fast-twitch fibers (P < .01) and a corresponding reduction in slow-twitch fibers (P < 0.01) compared to the vehicle-treated controls. These structural and compositional changes are closely aligned with the observed improvements in strength and functional performance. JUV161 treatment significantly improved specific forelimb grip strength (25.51 mN/g vs 23.20 in vehicle, P < .05) and all-limb grip strength (46.73 mN/g vs 41.21 mN/g in vehicle, P < .01), demonstrating meaningful gains in muscle function. Collectively, these findings show that we successfully alleviated age-related muscle wasting, restored fiber size, and enhanced functional performance with JUV-161 in a model of sarcopenia. By simultaneously improving structural, compositional, and functional aspects of skeletal muscle, JUV-161 represents a promising therapeutic candidate for counteracting sarcopenia, mitigating muscle loss, and restoring strength in older adults. These data support further translational development of JUV-161 for clinical applications aimed at improving mobility, reducing frailty risk, and enhancing quality of life in aging populations.
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,292
OpenAlex ID: W7213318924
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