Andrew Brack at ARDD2026: Clinical trials for aging

Andrew Brack at ARDD2026: Clinical trials for aging

by Andrew Brack · View the channel on PSI

Applied Sciences & Engineering Medicine & Health MFKHHuman growth and developmentMFKH3Maturation and ageing
🎙 Andrew Brack 👥 9K 📅 October 15, 2026 ⏱ 11 min 👁 95 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-10-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

PROSPRintrinsic capacityclinical outcome assessmentagingFDA

Summary

Andrew Brack, from ARPA-H, presents the PROSPR program at the ARDD2026 conference. He identifies the major bottleneck in aging research: the lack of a clear regulatory path for developing aging therapeutics. He contrasts biological biomarkers, which can change quickly but are not validated as surrogate endpoints, with hard clinical endpoints, which are reliable but slow and expensive to measure. He proposes functional measures, such as grip strength and cognitive tests, as a middle ground. PROSPR aims to build a validated health score based on intrinsic capacity, a concept from the WHO, to serve as a clinical outcome assessment. The program integrates multiple longitudinal datasets, conducts a drug repurposing trial using semaglutide and dapagliflozin, and supports four novel therapeutic teams targeting mTOR, GPER, E7-alpha estradiol, and LINE-1 retrotransposons. The regulatory strategy involves seeking FDA qualification of the clinical outcome assessment before pursuing surrogate endpoint status. As of the presentation, 15 datasets have been integrated, harmonization has begun, and an IND exemption and IRB approval have been obtained for the repurposing trial. The program is still early-stage but beyond the hypothetical stage, with funds allocated and experiments underway.

186 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation provides valuable insight into a real government initiative to accelerate aging clinical trials. The argumentation is logical and structured: Brack clearly outlines the problem (regulatory bottleneck), proposes a solution (functional measures and intrinsic capacity), and details the implementation plan. He uses concrete examples (e.g., HbA1c as an analogy for surrogate endpoints) and provides specifics on datasets, teams, and drugs. The reasoning is sound, and the proposed approach—pursuing COA qualification first—is pragmatic. The lack of detailed evidence on the effectiveness of the health score is acknowledged, but the presentation serves as a program update rather than a scientific demonstration.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The presentation is scientifically rigorous in terms of transparency: Brack clearly states the program’s goals, methods, and current status. Sources are not explicitly cited in the talk, but the description provides links to the ARDD conference and its organizer, which adds context. The title accurately matches the content, as the talk is indeed about clinical trials for aging, with a focus on the PROSPR program. The presentation does not overstate results; it emphasizes that the program is in early stages. The main limitation is the lack of peer-reviewed data, but as a conference talk, this is acceptable.

212 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: a talk about clinical trials for aging, focusing on the PROSPR program.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

Presentation by an ARPA-H program lead, detailing a specific research program with technical depth and concrete data. However, the content is a program description not yet peer-reviewed or validated, and some claims are prospective.

Key Moments

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

Contribution & Novelties

This presentation offers a rare insider look into a major U.S. government initiative (ARPA-H) to accelerate aging clinical trials. The novelty lies in the proposal to use intrinsic capacity as a clinical outcome assessment, grounded in WHO framework, and the structured regulatory pathway via FDA qualification. The program’s integration of diverse stakeholders—academics, pharma, regulators—is also notable.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • ARPA-H — The agency funding PROSPR; relevant for understanding the broader context of high-risk biomedical research.
  • Clinical Outcome Assessment (COA) Qualification Program — FDA’s official page explaining how COAs are qualified, directly related to PROSPR’s regulatory strategy.
  • WHO on Ageing — Source of the intrinsic capacity concept, which underlies PROSPR’s health score.

113 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores across all dimensions, reflecting a technically dense and reliable presentation. The balance between information quantity, quality, and technical level indicates a well-structured talk, while the fiabilité score is supported by the speaker's institutional affiliation and clear communication of uncertainties.

Reliability 8/10