A new drug from Rubedo Life Sciences is showing promise in slowing the signs of aging, with participants seeing a reduction of up to 11 years in the biological age of their skin after just four weeks.

By targeting a protein known as GPX4, the cream aims to clear senescent, or “zombie,” cells, while rejuvenating stressed, non-senescent cells nearby. In a separate trial, the cream led to a 46% reduction in actinic keratosis lesions after a month of use.

Marco Quarta, Rubedo’s cofounder, explains, “Our idea is to find ways to change the trajectory of how we age. Aging is complex, but cellular senescence is one of them.” The company is also exploring the drug for other skin conditions and considering an over-the-counter version for general skin aging.

While the results are promising, there’s still a long way to go. Dr Eric Verdin, president of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, notes, “Right now, there are a proliferation of aging clocks, and I would probably be a little circumspect about what these clocks really measure.”

The science is novel but early-stage. For now, the best anti-aging routine remains sleep, a good diet, and exercise, says Anthony Rossi, a dermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.