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Q: Dr. Rosselló, what do you see as the biggest breakthrough in understanding longevity and aging?

RICARDO ROSSELLO: One of the most significant breakthroughs was the discovery of how cellular reprogramming can reverse biological aging. Shinya Yamanaka’s identification of four genes that can reset cells to an embryonic-like state opened the door to the possibility of slowing or even reversing aging at a fundamental level. Also, the development of epigenetic clocks has allowed us to precisely measure the biological aging process, which lets us design targeted interventions. The recognition of aging as a disease by the World Health Organization in 2022 spurred significant investment and innovation in this field. At RMI and with a nascent longevity fund, we are leveraging these advances to develop therapies that improve not just lifespan, but healthspan, which refers to the years we spend in good health.

Q: As the Chief Visionary Officer of RMI Health, you’ve focused heavily on personalized medicine. What advantages does this approach offer patients?

RICARDO ROSSELLO: Personalized medicine allows us to tailor interventions based on an individual’s unique biological profile. We analyze factors such as genomic data, gut microbiome composition, and epigenetic markers to create a customized “bio-blueprint” for longevity. We can then implement specific lifestyle changes and cellular therapies that address aging at its core. We’re looking for ways that we can adjust treatments and optimize outcomes that improve the overall quality of life for our patients.

Q: How do you address some of the ethical concerns around longevity research and access to treatment?

RICARDO ROSSELLO: This question is central to the research I have done. We are mindful that novel therapies lend themselves to exaggerated claims at best and snake oil at worst. At every stop, including RMI, my position has been to place the research and the outcomes first.  Processes should go through rigorous clinical evaluation before being implemented.  They must be, first and foremost, safe. We are also mindful that current treatments are expensive. This tends to be the path towards getting procedures democratized. Our mid-to-long-term goal is to develop scalable and affordable therapies that can be widely distributed. We want to extend and improve not just the length but also the quality of life, helping people remain healthy and active for longer.

Q: How is RMI Health utilizing AI to advance longevity science?

RICARDO ROSSELLO: The emergent properties with RMI and AI are boundless.  It is the stuff of science fiction. Digital twins, instant patient-specific solutions, predictive medicine. We are constantly pushing ourselves to be at the forefront of AI and Biology.  At RMI Health, we collaborate with data scientists to use AI for predictive modeling, optimizing treatment protocols, and uncovering new therapeutic targets. AI helps us personalize interventions more effectively by analyzing patient-specific genetic and epigenetic markers. 

Q: Looking ahead, what do you envision for the future of longevity science, and what role will RMI Health play in it?

RICARDO ROSSELLO: We are at the dawn of a new era in longevity science. A Time Magazine article last week covered a new development in gene therapy that has the potential to act as a “biological rewind button” for optic-nerve cells, returning them to a pre-diseased state. Think about it. We can actually turn the clock back on cells. It is scientifically proven. Now, it is an engineering and clinical problem to apply it. There’s a real race to reverse time at a cellular level, and we’re excited to be a part of it. We have the potential to create a future where people live longer, healthier, and more vibrant lives.

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 In this discussion, George Scorsis talks about how cannabis is transforming the pharmaceutical industry, the potential for cannabinoid-based drug development, and what’s needed for cannabis to be a normalized treatment in healthcare.

Q: Medical cannabis is frequently viewed as being distinct from conventional pharmaceuticals. Do you feel that this is going to change in the upcoming years?

 GEORGE SCORSIS: Absolutely. Medicinal cannabis is an amerging market that still has not received full acceptance from the Medical Community. It’s treated differently from recreational cannabis and traditional pharmaceuticals. But we’re starting to see a change, with more companies developing cannabis-based drugs that go through the same rigorous approval process as prescription meds. This is a vital step towards wider acceptance by healthcare providers, insurers, and regulatory bodies. As cannabis-based medicines continue to be approved by the FDA and Health Canada, we’ll see cannabis incorporated into mainstream pharmaceutical treatments.

 Q: Shuttle Pharmaceuticals is a precision medicine company with a focus on oncology. Do you see a role for cannabis in treating cancer?

 GEORGE SCORSIS: There’s a lot of research now that suggests that cannabis can help manage cancer symptoms. Cannabis is already used to reduce nausea, pain and appetite loss from chemotherapy, but scientists are now testing its cancer-fighting potential. Several studies suggest that cannabinoids might have anti-inflammatory effects. That said, we need larger clinical trials to move from anecdotal evidence to proven therapies. Shuttle Pharmaceuticals is on the outside edge of this change, exploring ways to use cannabis in personalized therapies.

 Q: What is one of the biggest challenges in developing cannabis-based medicine?

 GEORGE SCORSIS: Regulatory approval. Conventional pharmacies have a stringent process of clinical trials, peer-reviewed studies, and regulatory filings before a drug is approved for the market. Cannabis presents more obstacles since it was classified as a controlled substance until its legalization a few years ago. Medical cannabis was just getting approved for medical purposes  in Florida when I left to move to Canada. Even then, the state still had very strict rules around it, and there was still some stigma. This means limited money for research, uneven global regulations and disparate dosing recommendations. However, recent research and growing acceptance of cannabis-based treatment by the medical industry are beginning to change that. The important thing is continuing to create credible clinical data to support these therapies.

 Q: What role do you envision artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology playing in the future of cannabis medicine?

 GEORGE SCORSIS: AI and biotech are already disrupting the industry from drug development, and cannabis medicine is no different. One of the areas AI is helping with is analyzing huge amounts of patient data to understand the interaction of different cannabinoids on various medical conditions, making room for more targeted and effective treatments. Biotech companies, too, are developing synthetic cannabinoids- lab-created compounds that mimic the effects of natural cannabis but that allow for more precise dosing and fewer inconsistencies. Such developments would narrow the gap between medicinal cannabis and conventional medicines, rendering treatments based on cannabis more predictable and accepted.

 Q: What place will cannabis-based pharmaceuticals have in the future of personalized medicine?

 GEORGE SCORSIS: Personalized medicine is likely the area within medicine where cannabis-based pharmaceuticals can have the most substantial impact. Cannabis interacts with the body in different ways in different people, due to their differing genetics, metabolism, and health profiles. New developments in genetic testing and precision medicine will allow us to develop targeted cannabis interventions designed to fit the profile of the individual. For instance, certain cannabinoid and terpene profiles could be made for chronic pain or neurological diseases. This personalization will improve the efficacy of treatment and lower side effects, making cannabis-based medicines more consistent and effective for patient care.

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