Researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) have launched the Moody Longevity Trial, a groundbreaking study funded by the Moody Endowment to determine whether an existing medication can slow the pace of biological aging. Biological age reflects how our cells and systems function and can differ significantly from chronological age, which is the number of years an individual has been alive.
The trial will test tirzepatide, an FDA-approved drug for weight management, to determine if it can influence biological aging and improve energy, mobility, and brain health in adults ages 55 to 70. Using advanced biomarkers such as DNA methylation clocks, researchers will measure whether participants’ biological age changes during treatment and whether those benefits persist after stopping the medication.
“Aging is the root cause of the biggest killers: heart disease, cancer, and dementia,” said Dr. Thomas Blackwell, professor of Internal Medicine and geriatrics specialist. “If we can slow down the biological aging process, we can add not just years to life but healthy years. This trial is a bridge to future breakthroughs that could transform how we live.”
Participants will receive tirzepatide for 24 weeks, followed by a 12-week observation period. Researchers will track biological age, physical performance, mood, and inflammation to understand the drug’s impact on health span.
“This is about more than weight loss. It is about changing the pace of aging,” said Dr. Matthew L. Mendoza, assistant director of Team Science at UTMB. “We are using therapies already available to accelerate discovery rather than waiting decades for new drugs. Our goal is to make healthy aging a reality sooner.”
The Moody Longevity Trial is part of UTMB’s growing leadership in geroscience, a field that targets aging itself to prevent chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. By repurposing existing medications, researchers hope to create practical strategies that can be implemented today, not years from now.
“Everyone ages, so this research matters to all of us,” said Dr. Alan Landay, vice president of Team Science at UTMB. “We want people to live longer and better with vitality, independence, and resilience. This trial is an exciting step toward that future.”
Who can join
Adults ages 55 to 70 may qualify if they meet certain health criteria, including:
BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol
Stable medications for at least 12 weeks
Not using insulin or planning major diet or fitness changes
Not pregnant or planning pregnancy
How to enroll
Enrollment is now open. Learn more or contact the Clinical Research Center at (409) 772-1218 to get started today.