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GI Innovation and GI Biome Shine in XPRIZE Healthspan Competition

On May 12, 2025, GI Innovation, a prominent biotech firm based in South Korea, proudly announced its selection as a semi-finalist in the prestigious XPRIZE Healthspan competition. This accolade places them among a select group of only 40 teams chosen from an impressive pool of 600 registrations across 58 countries. The competition’s aim is to discover groundbreaking solutions that can effectively slow or prevent age-related degeneration, and GI Innovation is standing at the forefront of this revolutionary endeavor.

Recognition and Opportunity

The XPRIZE Healthspan competition allows innovators to showcase their ideas in a battle for one of the largest prize pools in the competition's history, totaling a staggering USD $101 million. GI Innovation has not only made it to the semi-finals but has also been chosen as one of just eight teams who will get the chance to pitch their concepts at the exclusive XPRIZE Investor Summit in New York.

The XPRIZE Foundation, a respected nonprofit organization known for creating large-scale competitions that address global challenges, has discerned the company's exceptional scientific vision and execution during the selection process. As a semi-finalist, GI Innovation is awarded USD $250,000, which will aid in the advancement of their next clinical trial phase.

Groundbreaking Anti-Aging Therapy

In collaboration with sister company GI Biome, GI Innovation has proposed an innovative combination therapy involving GI-102, an immune-boosting drug, and GIB-7, a specialized microbiome-based synbiotic. This novel approach aims to address the aging process from multiple angles.

GI-102: Immune System Booster

At higher doses, GI-102 effectively activates CD8+ T cells and NK cells, enabling these immune cells to target various tumor types, such as melanoma, kidney, lung, and bladder cancers. However, what sets GI-102 apart is its low-dose application, which primarily boosts NK cells—crucial for eliminating senescent cells that accumulate and contribute to aging. As a result, this dual approach not only seeks to kill cancer cells but also plays an integral role in promoting overall health and longevity.

GIB-7: A Microbiome-Based Ally

Developed through GI Biome's proprietary Microbiome+ Herbal Therapy platform, GIB-7 is a powerful synbiotic that harmonizes three patented probiotic strains with herbal elements. Recent clinical studies conducted with older volunteers at Seoul National University Hospital demonstrated that GIB-7 significantly enhances beneficial gut microbiota. Additionally, in aging mouse models, GIB-7 has shown promising results in regulating circadian rhythms and reinforcing muscle strength, further emphasizing its potential to counteract aging effects.

Dr. Myoung-Ho Jang, CEO and Founder of GI Innovation, expressed pride in reaching this stage of the competition, stating, "We entered this competition with the goal of winning, and it is a great honor to have passed the first gateway, highlighting the scientific innovation of both GI Innovation and GI Biome."

Next Steps

The pathway ahead involves conducting further clinical trials in collaboration with Dr. Katherine Samaras, a key figure in anti-aging research from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia. GI Innovation’s commitment to progressing from treatment to prevention underscores its ambition to innovate health solutions that could redefine how we perceive aging. Given the growing interest in longevity and age-related health advancements, this venture symbolizes hope and potential for millions globally.

In summary, GI Innovation and GI Biome have set a strong precedent in the realm of biotechnology and aging research. As the competition progresses, many within the scientific community and the general populace will watch attentively, hoping for groundbreaking revelations that could one day enhance healthspan and improve quality of life as we age.