Hope for COPD Patients as Muscle Wasting Drug Trial Hits Key Milestone

DIEPENBEEK, Belgium – June 01, 2026 – A significant step forward has been taken in the fight against a debilitating and often overlooked consequence of chronic disease. Rejuvenate Biomed, a Belgian clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today it has completed patient recruitment for a pivotal Phase 2 trial of its lead drug, RJx-01. The study focuses on treating muscle weakness and sarcopenia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition for which no approved drug treatments currently exist.

The completion of recruitment for the MINT-COPD trial marks a critical juncture for the company and potentially for millions of patients worldwide. With topline data expected by the end of 2026, the results could pave the way for the first-ever approved therapy for sarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength that severely impacts mobility and quality of life.

The Silent Epidemic of Muscle Wasting

Sarcopenia is a major contributor to frailty, disability, and mortality, affecting more than 50 million people globally. While often associated with aging, it is a particularly severe and common complication in patients with chronic conditions like COPD. Research indicates the prevalence of sarcopenia in the COPD population ranges from 14% to as high as 67%, depending on disease severity and other factors.

For these patients, sarcopenia creates a vicious cycle. The underlying systemic inflammation and oxidative stress from COPD contribute to muscle breakdown. This muscle loss reduces physical capacity, making even simple activities exhausting and discouraging the very exercise that could help. This inactivity further accelerates muscle decline, increases the risk of falls, and frequently leads to more and longer hospital stays. Sarcopenia is now recognized as an independent predictor of death in patients with COPD.

“Sarcopenia is a key contributor to disability and mortality in patients with COPD, driven by reduced muscle mass, strength and endurance that limits patient mobility and independence,” said Neil Greening, MD, PhD, a Consultant Physician at University Hospitals of Leicester and the study's Chief Investigator. “In combination with respiratory symptoms, this loss of functional capacity accelerates overall decline, particularly during hospitalizations associated with acute exacerbations. A therapy that can reduce muscle weakness and sarcopenia in COPD patients could lead to better long-term outcomes and quality of life."

Despite the profound impact on patients and the healthcare system, the sarcopenia treatment market, valued at over $3 billion, currently relies entirely on non-pharmacological interventions like resistance training and nutritional supplements. The absence of an approved drug represents one of the largest unmet needs in geriatric and chronic disease medicine.

A Novel Multi-Target Strategy

Rejuvenate Biomed aims to fill this void with RJx-01, a first-in-class therapeutic designed with a sophisticated, multi-pathway approach. The development of sarcopenia is complex, involving a cascade of biological failures. Instead of focusing on a single target—a strategy that has characterized many previous unsuccessful attempts in the field—RJx-01 simultaneously addresses several core drivers of muscle decline. Its mechanism targets mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired neuromuscular signaling.

This strategy is backed by promising early data. A prior Phase 1b study in healthy older men with immobilization-induced muscle weakness—a model that mimics the acute muscle loss seen during hospitalization—showed that RJx-01 led to meaningful improvements in muscle strength, physical function, and fatigue resistance, all while maintaining an excellent safety profile.

This multi-pronged attack is what sets RJx-01 apart in a competitive but so far fruitless landscape. The drug development pipeline for sarcopenia is active, with companies like TNF Pharmaceuticals and Biophytis exploring different mechanisms, from TNF-alpha inhibitors to myostatin blockers. However, no company has yet crossed the finish line to regulatory approval.

"I’m excited and look forward to seeing data from this trial by the end of 2026 and continue to evaluate RJx-01’s potential," commented Jean-Yves Reginster, MD, PhD, a world-renowned expert in musculoskeletal aging and sarcopenia management. "RJx-01 represents a first-in-class treatment with the potential to meaningfully address the condition and change the treatment landscape for patients."

AI-Powered Discovery and Strategic Vision

The innovation behind RJx-01 extends to its very origins. Rejuvenate Biomed leverages proprietary artificial intelligence platforms, CombinAge® and CelegAge®, to sift through vast biological data and identify synergistic drug combinations that can tackle the complex, multifactorial nature of age-related diseases. This AI-driven approach allows the company to move beyond the single-target paradigm and design therapies that address the root causes of cellular decline.

This technological edge has attracted significant investment and high-profile partnerships. The company has raised over $22 million and is backed by life sciences investors like Vesalius Biocapital and Rejuveron Life Sciences. The MINT-COPD trial itself is a collaboration with the University of Leicester and the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, supported by multimillion-dollar funding from Wellcome Leap, an ambitious health research organization founded by the Wellcome Trust.

For Rejuvenate Biomed, the upcoming data is more than just a test of a single drug; it's a validation of its entire discovery engine. “Completing recruitment brings RJx-01 closer to an important clinical and strategic inflection point,” said Ann Beliën, PhD, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Rejuvenate Biomed. “COPD-induced sarcopenia represents a clinically meaningful entry point into the broader sarcopenia treatment landscape. We very much look forward to the sarcopenia patient data by year end.”

A successful Phase 2 trial would not only be a major de-risking event for RJx-01 but would also bolster the company's pipeline and its potential to address other age-related conditions. The drug’s mechanism has potential relevance in a wide range of muscle health indications, from preventing muscle loss during post-operative recovery to countering the effects of rapid weight loss. As global populations continue to age, the promise of therapies that can extend healthspan by maintaining physical function becomes ever more critical. All eyes in the field will be on Rejuvenate Biomed as the 2026 deadline for its trial data approaches.