“ The 12th Aging Research and Drug Discovery (ARDD) meeting convened at the University of Copenhagen, presenting a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in the biology of aging . ”
BUFFALO, NY — April 21, 2026 — A new meeting report was published in Volume 18 of Aging-US on April 6, 2026, titled “ Toward actionable interventions in human aging (12th ARDD meeting, 2025) .”
The report was led by corresponding authors Aleksandr Dekan and Daniela Bakula from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark , in collaboration with an international group of researchers spanning academia, industry, and biotechnology.
Bringing together experts from across the global aging research community, the 12th ARDD meeting focused on one central goal: moving beyond descriptive studies of aging toward interventions that can actively improve human healthspan. The discussions reflected a clear shift in the field—from understanding the hallmarks of aging to identifying the molecular mechanisms that can be targeted to modify them.
Key presentations explored whether biological age can be reversed, highlighting the epigenome as a central regulator of cellular identity. Emerging evidence suggests that partial cellular reprogramming may restore youthful function, while systemic effects observed in preclinical models point to the possibility of organ-wide or even whole-body rejuvenation.
The meeting also emphasized the importance of maintaining genomic integrity, with accumulating DNA damage linked to widespread transcriptional stress and age-associated functional decline. At the same time, chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and cellular senescence were consistently identified as major drivers of aging, reinforcing the need for integrated, multi-targeted therapeutic strategies.
Advances in biomarker development were another major focus. Researchers presented new generations of biological aging clocks—ranging from organ-specific proteomic signatures to single-cell and imaging-based approaches—capable of predicting disease risk and monitoring intervention outcomes with increasing precision.
In parallel, the integration of artificial intelligence into drug discovery is accelerating the development of novel therapeutics. From generative AI-designed proteins to platform-based identification of new drug targets, these approaches are helping bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application.
“ This focus is predicated on the hypothesis that aging is not solely a result of stochastic damage accumulation but may be a tractable, modifiable, and potentially reversible biological process amenable to intervention . ”
Beyond laboratory science, the meeting highlighted the growing importance of translational strategies, regulatory pathways, and investment models in bringing anti-aging therapies to market. A consensus emerged around a “disease-first” approach, in which targeting specific age-related conditions may provide a practical pathway for validating interventions that also influence underlying aging biology.
Overall, the ARDD 2025 meeting underscored a major turning point in the field. Aging research is no longer confined to observation—it is increasingly positioned to deliver actionable interventions that could reshape how age-related diseases are prevented and treated.
Paper DOI : https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206368
Corresponding authors: Aleksandr Dekan – adekan@sund.ku.dk , Daniela Bakula – bakula@sund.ku.dk
Abstract video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LntAWVQMKqE
Keywords: aging, longevity, geroscience, biomarkers, rejuvenation
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Aging-US
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Toward actionable interventions in human aging (12th ARDD meeting, 2025)
6-Apr-2026
S.H. is the sole owner of patents and patent applications, directed at epigenetic biomarkers (including GrimAge), licensed to the non-profit Epigenetic Clock Development Foundation, for which he is a founder and paid consultant. S.H. is also a Principal Investigator at Altos Labs, Cambridge Institute of Science. C.Y.E. is a co-founder and shareholder of Avea Life AG and Lichi3 GmbH. D.W.L. has received funding from, and is a scientific advisory board member of, Aeovian. J.C.N. is a co-founder and shareholder in, and inventor on patents licensed to, BHB Therapeutics and Selah Therapeutics, companies that develop ketone-based products and therapies. M.B.J. is a co-founder and shareholder in Gordian Biotechnology. M.L. is supported by National Institutes of Health (NIH) R35GM122543. J.C.I.B. is an employee of Altos Labs. T.T. is a scientific advisor with equity interests in Lime Therapeutics. His spouse is an employee of and has equity in Recursion Pharmaceuticals. The T.T. laboratory receives funding from Ono Pharma related to targeting highly plastic cells in lung cancer. A.M. is a co-founder and shareholder of OvartiX. V.V.C.S. is an employee of Aptah Bio Inc. X.L. is a co-founder of iCamuno Biotherapeutics. T.W.-C. is a co-founder, shareholder and advisor of Teal Rise Inc. and Vero Biosciences Inc. J.A. is an employee of Rejuvenate Biomed NV. Y.L. is a founder of Accelerated Biosciences Corp. B.K.K. is a Board member and advisor to Ponce de Leon Health and a founder and Board member of LiveBeyond. F.d’A.d.F. is a co-founder and shareholder in TAG Therapeutics.