Brief
GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs may slow biological aging, MIT startup stores renewable power in CO₂ batteries
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk say their GLP‑1 drugs appear to slow aging, while Energy Dome unveils compressed CO₂ batteries for grid storage.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk claim that patients using their GLP‑1 weight‑loss medicines show slower biological aging, and Energy Dome is developing large‑scale batteries that store renewable electricity by compressing carbon dioxide, according to MIT Technology Review’s daily newsletter.
What happened
The newsletter notes that drugmakers reported molecular “aging clocks” – tools that track DNA changes or protein levels – indicate a reduced rate of aging in people taking GLP‑1 drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic. In a separate feature, Energy Dome described its compressed‑CO₂ battery system, which can be deployed without specific underground geology, unlike traditional compressed‑air storage.
What the reports add
MIT Technology Review explains that the aging‑clock data come from studies where participants on GLP‑1 therapy exhibited slower shifts in DNA methylation patterns, a standard marker of biological age. The outlet also highlights that Energy Dome’s approach stores energy by compressing CO₂ in massive tanks, allowing rapid release when the grid needs power, and that the technology could be scaled globally because it does not rely on natural caverns.
What was said
Antonio Regalado, writing for the newsletter, summarises the drugmakers’ position: “Patients taking their GLP‑1 drugs age less quickly, according to molecular ‘aging clocks.’” Casey Crownhart, also in the newsletter, describes Energy Dome’s system: “Compressing gas to store energy isn’t new, but Energy Dome’s approach doesn’t require any specific geology to work, so it could be more easily scaled to help grids around the world.”
How it came about
Earlier this month Felo News covered a trial where a combination of Mounjaro and the experimental drug Elora cut body weight by 23 % in participants, suggesting the growing interest in GLP‑1 therapies. The same outlet recently reported on an AI tool that reads aging signatures in mouse DNA, underscoring a broader focus on biological‑age research. Energy Dome’s inclusion in MIT Technology Review’s “10 Climate Tech Companies to Watch 2026” follows a series of reports on innovative grid‑storage solutions, linking the company’s work to ongoing discussions about renewable‑energy reliability.
Key facts
- Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk say GLP‑1 drugs slow biological aging as measured by molecular aging clocks. (technologyreview.com)
- Energy Dome’s battery stores energy by compressing carbon dioxide, avoiding the need for specific geological formations. (technologyreview.com)
- The newsletter is part of MIT Technology Review’s daily "The Download" edition. (technologyreview.com)
Sources
- [1] technologyreview.com — originally reported as “The Download: weight-loss drugs slowing aging and carbon dioxide batteries”
