GDF11, or Growth Differentiation Factor 11, rose to fame as a promising anti-aging molecule in 2013 when repletion in mice was shown to result in an age-related decline and reversal of cardiac hypertrophy (Loffredo, 2013). Subsequent studies further announced abilities to regenerate skeletal muscle and revascularize the brain (Sinha, 2014; Katsimpardi, 2014). In 2022, the biopharmaceutical company Elevian raised $58 million for GDF11 research, prompting a New York Times article titled "Can a 'Magic' Protein Slow the Aging Process?"..Read more