FST-344

FST-344 is a non-viral, plasmid-based gene therapy developed by Minicircle to enhance body composition and promote longevity. The therapy utilizes a minicircle DNA plasmid vector—a circular, non-viral DNA element that lacks bacterial backbone sequences—to deliver the gene encoding the 344-amino acid secreted isoform of human follistatin (FST-344). Administered via subcutaneous injection into abdominal fat, the plasmid is complexed with polyethyleneimine (PEI) to facilitate cellular uptake and induce localized expression of follistatin. Once expressed, the follistatin protein acts as a potent antagonist to myostatin (Growth differentiation factor 8) and activin, which are key negative regulators of skeletal muscle growth. By neutralizing these proteins, FST-344 aims to increase lean muscle mass, reduce fat mass, and potentially lower epigenetic age. The therapy is currently administered through international partner clinics outside the United States.

Other names

Follistatin-344Follistatin344Follistatin 344Minicircle FollistatinFST-344 minicircleFST344 minicircleFST 344 minicircle