UT Health San Antonio launches clinical trial to study rapamycin and healthy aging

Contact: Eileen Teves, 210-450-7239, [email protected]

Content provided by Claire Kowalick

SAN ANTONIO, March 25, 2026 - UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio) is launching a multi-phase clinical study to better understand how the drug rapamycin may promote healthy aging. Funded by the National Institute on Aging, the study will examine dosing, safety and long-term effects to help guide future research on extending health span.

UT San Antonio researchers Ellen Kraig, PhD, professor in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, Dean Kellogg Jr., MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology and Palliative Medicine, and Brett Ginsburg, PhD, professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences in the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, are leading the study.

"Rapamycin is widely discussed in popular culture as a longevity drug," said Kraig. "But there's a difference between something that is biologically plausible and something that has been rigorously tested in people."

The study includes several sub-studies designed to evaluate biological markers, determine optimal dosing and assess outcomes in older adults. Researchers aim to move beyond speculation and establish evidence-based guidance for the drug's use.

"This phase is about precision," said Kellogg. "We're asking how much drug it actually takes to achieve a desired biological effect, not more than that."

The randomized, placebo-controlled trial will include approximately 84 older adults and will evaluate both short- and longer-term effects of rapamycin. Findings from the study are expected to inform future aging research and potential clinical applications.

This study is a team effort with Tiffany Cortes, MD, Department of Medicine, joining Kellogg in managing the clinical efforts which are being undertaken at the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies Research Clinic by Gisela Ramirez, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Katy Casique Cervantes, Allison Stepanenko, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and colleagues. Ginsburg and his postdoc, Haidyn Stark, PhD, oversee the pharmacological aspects of the project and are joined by Wouter Koek, PhD, for statistical analysis of the data. The study coordinator, Leslie Linehan, and Kraig are joined by Faizah Ahmmed in managing the laboratory and logistical operations. Randy Strong, PhD, professor of pharmacology and associate director for translational research at the Barshop Institute, Adam Salmon, PhD, professor of molecular medicine, associate director of the Barshop Institute, and Blake Rasmussen, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, provide scientific input.

How to participate

Researchers are currently seeking generally healthy men and women between the ages of 65 and 90 to participate in a six-week clinical trial of the FDA-approved drugs rapamycin and everolimus followed by a four-week follow-up period. Participants should be non-smokers, live independently and not have diabetes or use glucose lowering medications. For more information, email: [email protected] or call (210) 450-3333.

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UT Health San Antonio is the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT San Antonio), offering a comprehensive network of inpatient and outpatient care facilities staffed by medical, dental, nursing and allied health professionals who conduct more than 2.5 million patient visits each year. It is the region's only academic health center and one of the nation's leading health sciences institutions, supported by the schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions, graduate biomedical sciences and public health that are leading change and advancing fields throughout South Texas and the world. To learn about the many ways "We make lives better®," visit UTHealthSA.org.

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