Overview
This Phase 2a clinical study (GIANTS-1) aims to evaluate a novel dual-combination strategy using GI-102 and GIB-7 to address key pathological features of aging, including immunosenescence (the aging of the immune system), metabolic dysfunction, and gut-brain-muscle axis dysregulation.
Description
GI-102 targets immunosenescence and inflammation: GI-102 is a bispecific immunocytokine composed of CD80 fused with a mutated interleukin (IL)-2. It is currently being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 2 oncology study, in which its safety and tolerability has been evaluated. Clinically meaningful biological activity-such as increased peripheral lymphocyte counts (including CD8+ T cells and natural killer \[NK\] cells)-has been observed, supporting its potential role in immune reactivation and inflammation modulation in the aging population.
GIB-7 restores gut-brain-muscle axis and circadian rhythm: GIB-7 is a proprietary synbiotic formulation that contains four probiotic strains- Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, which are gram-positive lactic acid bacteria. Additionally, it contains the strains Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. These components collectively support gut microbial stability and systemic physiological balance. In a clinical study conducted in healthy older adults (NCT05735418), GIB-7 demonstrated significant improvements in grip strength and reductions in inflammatory markers, with no investigational product (IP)-related adverse events (AEs), confirming its excellent safety profile. Additionally, GIB-7 has been shown to support circadian rhythm regulation, a key aspect of homeostatic aging that is often disrupted in older adults.
The rationale for combining these two agents is their complementary mechanisms:
- GI-102 aims to remove senescent cells and thereby reduce inflammaging (a form of low-grade inflammation associated with ageing) via immune reactivation.
- GIB-7 aims to enhance gut stability and support the gut-brain-muscle axis and circadian alignment, thereby improving physical and cognitive resilience.
This dual-combination strategy addresses complementary hallmarks of aging, offering a mechanistically integrated approach to extending healthspan (the period during which individuals remain functional and free of chronic diseases) in healthy adults and cancer survivors.
Eligibility
Key Inclusion Criteria:
- Must be aged between ≥18 and ≤80 years old at the time of informed consent.
- At the discretion of the Investigator, must be in a state of general health that is not severely compromised (ie, no life-threatening illness or disability).
- Participants with a history of cancer may be included only if they meet one of the following:
- Participants have been disease-free for ≥2 years; OR
- For those diagnosed within 2 years:
- The cancer was treated with curative intent (eg, surgery, anti-cancer agents including chemotherapy)
- Participants have been in remission for ≥12 months
- Participants are not on any active cancer treatment except maintenance therapies (eg, endocrine therapy or bisphosphonates)
- Participants must have received systemic anti-cancer therapies without immunotherapy for their cancers
- Women of childbearing potential (WOCBP; see definition in Section 5.3) must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception from 14 days prior to Visit 2 until 180 days after the last dose of study medication (GI-102 or GIB-7). Fertile men must agree to use an acceptable method of contraception from 14 days prior to Visit 2 until 90 days after the last dose of study medication (GI-102 or GIB-7).
Key Exclusion Criteria:
- Severe and poorly managed chronic diseases, such as advanced cardiovascular disease, kidney failure requiring transplant or dialysis, uncontrolled diabetes, detectable malignancy (≤ 2 years), severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or untreatable, terminal cancer as judged by the Investigator or history of life threatening infection (eg, meningitis).
- Dependent on walkers or wheelchairs; severe difficulty or inability to perform activities of daily living independently or inability to perform study measures required to test muscle function (an amputee is eligible if participants can walk without walkers or wheelchair) as judged by the Investigator.
- Major surgery within the past 6 months or scheduled during the study period, including severe orthopedic diseases requiring joint replacement surgery.
- History of substance abuse or dependency or history of recreational IV drug use over the last 5 years (by self-declaration).
- Female participants who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding during the study period. Participants undergoing perimenopause or the menopause transition are eligible.