San Francisco — Rubedo Life Sciences has announced a major milestone in longevity and dermatological science with the dosing of the first patient in a Phase 1 clinical trial of its lead drug candidate, RLS-1496. The trial marks the first time a GPX4 (glutathione peroxidase 4) modulator targeting pathological senescent cells has entered human testing, positioning Rubedo ahead of other pharmaceutical companies investigating this emerging therapeutic target.
RLS-1496 is a first-in-class, disease-modifying topical treatment designed to selectively eliminate senescent cells—those associated with chronic inflammation and the biological aging process, known as “inflammaging.” The study, taking place at a clinical site in the Netherlands, is a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trial involving approximately 24 adult patients with mild to moderate stable plaque psoriasis. The trial will evaluate the safety, tolerability, and biological effects of single and multiple topical doses. In addition to psoriasis, the trial will explore the treatment’s impact on skin aging biomarkers and its potential to reverse skin’s biological age.
Pending positive results, Rubedo plans to expand its clinical focus to include other inflammatory and autoimmune skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, rosacea, alopecia areata, and scleroderma. A systemic formulation of RLS-1496 is also in development and slated for Phase 1 trials in 2026.
Rubedo CEO Dr. Frederick Beddingfield described the development as a critical step for both the company and the field of longevity science. “We are thrilled to reach this milestone not only for our lead candidate but for the broader advancement of age-related medicine,” he said. “This trial allows us to explore RLS-1496’s disease-altering potential in inflammatory skin conditions while also addressing aging at the cellular level.”
Developed using Rubedo’s proprietary AI-driven ALEMBIC™ drug discovery platform, RLS-1496 was brought from concept to clinical trial readiness in under three years—twice as fast as the industry standard, according to the company. Dr. Marco Quarta, Rubedo’s Chief Scientific Officer, credited the team’s speed and precision to ALEMBIC™ and its SenTeCh™ chemistry, which identify and target specific markers in senescent cells. “For over a decade, scientists have been working toward a safe and effective human-ready compound that targets pathological senescent cells. We’ve now achieved that goal,” he said.
The clinical trial design incorporates assessments of psoriasis severity using standard dermatological measures, including the modified Investigator’s Global Assessment (mIGA). The protocol and strategy were developed in collaboration with Rubedo’s Clinical Advisory Board, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mary Spellman. The board includes prominent dermatologists Dr. Mark Lebwohl of Mount Sinai, Dr. Ted Lain of the Austin Institute for Clinical Research, Dr. Zoe Draelos of Dermatology Consulting Services, and Dr. Chris Griffiths of the University of Manchester.
Dr. Lebwohl praised the significance of RLS-1496 in both clinical and research contexts. “This drug has real potential as a topical treatment for psoriasis and other chronic inflammatory conditions, and as a first-in-class therapy targeting inflammaging. It represents a remarkable leap forward in dermatological science and longevity research.”
Rubedo’s Phase 1 trial of RLS-1496 could pave the way for a new class of therapies that address the root causes of aging and inflammation, positioning the company as a leader in the emerging field of cellular rejuvenation.
