AI-Powered High-Throughput Screening Accelerates Healthy Ageing Innovation: SIRIO Introduces a New Framework for Geroprotective Discovery

Recently, the SIRIO Institute on Ageing (SIA), together with researchers from Southern University of Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Macau University of Science and Technology, the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, and institutes of the Max Planck Society, published a major review article in the leading international journal Ageing Research Reviews. The paper systematically introduces, for the first time, an AI-driven high-throughput screening framework for the discovery of geroprotective compounds. By providing an evidence-based, quantifiable, and interpretable research paradigm, the framework offers a new pathway for bridging the gap between ingredient discovery and product translation in the nutrition and healthy ageing industry.

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Against the backdrop of growing global interest in longevity and healthy ageing, consumers are no longer satisfied with marketing narratives alone. Scientific validation and evidence-based efficacy have become increasingly important. At the same time, extending healthspan and enabling precise interventions targeting biological ageing have emerged as central goals for the dietary supplement and nutrition sectors.

However, a substantial gap remains between basic ageing research and commercial product development. Three major challenges continue to hinder innovation in the discovery of anti-ageing ingredients. First, conventional mammalian studies, particularly mouse lifespan experiments, often require years to complete while incurring significant costs and offering limited throughput. Second, many promising bioactive compounds lack standardized validation systems capable of generating reproducible evidence. Third, translating discoveries from laboratory research into products that ready to launch remains a slow and complex process. Together, these challenges constrain both the pace of innovation and the scientific credibility of anti-ageing products.

How can the industry overcome this bottleneck? The answer lies in the development of new research methodologies and technological platforms.

A “Super Accelerator” for Discovering Better Ingredients

In this review, SIA presents a comprehensive screening framework that redefines how geroprotective compounds can be identified and validated. Rather than relying exclusively on lengthy mammalian studies, the framework integrates short-lived model organisms—including C. elegans, Drosophila, and the African turquoise killifish—into a progressive cross-species validation pipeline. Combined with artificial intelligence and automated high-throughput screening technologies, this approach enables the large-scale evaluation of bioactive ingredients as well as personalized ingredient combinations.

AI-driven R&D screening framework discussed in this review

The framework effectively acts as a “super accelerator” for anti-ageing ingredient discovery. Ultra-high-throughput primary screening can first be conducted in C. elegans at low cost. Promising candidates can then be evaluated mechanistically in Drosophila, a model organism sharing a high degree of genetic conservation with humans. Finally, efficacy can be assessed in the African turquoise killifish, the shortest-lived vertebrate model currently available for ageing research, providing a powerful bridge toward translational applications.

This integrated strategy enables researchers to complete the full evidence-generation cycle—from activity screening and mechanistic validation to efficacy confirmation—in a significantly shorter timeframe. As a result, the efficiency of ingredient discovery and personalized formulation development can be substantially improved, while increasing the likelihood of successful translation into commercial products.

Moving Beyond Slow and Costly Ageing Research

According to Professor Zhao Wang, Professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the SIA, this framework enables the rapid identification and prioritization of potential geroprotective compounds at the earliest stages of development. By combining speed, scalability, and translational relevance, the platform can achieve at least twenty times the throughput of conventional mouse-based approaches while requiring only a fraction of the time and cost. It represents an important roadmap for evidence-based discovery of functional ingredients in healthy ageing research.

Beyond its scientific significance, the framework is expected to create substantial value across the industry. Faster identification of promising ingredients can shorten the timeline from discovery to formulation development, enabling brands to respond more rapidly to emerging market opportunities. Cross-species validation and mechanistic investigations provide stronger scientific substantiation, supporting more standardized and quantifiable product evaluation. Meanwhile, early-stage high-throughput screening reduces reliance on trial-and-error development, helping researchers focus resources on the most promising candidates from the outset.

Building upon the insights presented in this review, the SIRIO Institute on Ageing will continue to advance high-throughput, quantitative, and translational research platforms through its global scientific collaboration network. By strengthening the connection between fundamental research, ingredient innovation, and product development, SIA aims to accelerate the transition of the healthy ageing industry toward a new era driven by robust data, biological mechanisms, and scientific evidence.

About the SIRIO Institute on Ageing

Established in 2025 by Sirio Pharma, the SIRIO Institute on Ageing (SIA) is dedicated to advancing evidence-based research and innovation in healthy ageing. Led by Professor Lyu Yuxuan, the Institute brings together internationally recognized experts from leading institutions, including Tsinghua University, University of Michigan, and the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute. Guided by the principles of verifiability, traceability, and real-world applicability, SIA leverages global scientific resources to accelerate innovation in anti-ageing products and contribute to longer, healthier lives.