Is Ruxolitinib legal in Australia?

An approved JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor that suppressed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and improved physical function in aged mice. Its entire human evidence base is in myelofibrosis, where it shrinks spleens; the topical form carries a boxed warning for serious infections, mortality, malignancy, cardiovascular events and thrombosis.

Ruxolitinib is the clearest example of a senomorphic rather than a senolytic. A senolytic kills senescent cells.

Mechanism: Ruxolitinib inhibits Janus kinase 1 and Janus kinase 2, the intracellular kinases that transduce signals from a large family of cytokine receptors through the STAT transcription factors. Much of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype is produced and reinforced through that pathway, so blocking JAK1 and JAK2 quietens the secretions without killing the senescent cell.

Regulatory history: FDA-approved as Jakafi for myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera and steroid-refractory acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease, and as Opzelura cream for atopic dermatitis and non-segmental vitiligo. Not approved for ageing, frailty or any senescence indication, and not in a registered trial for one.

Registers or lists therapeutic goods on the ARTG and schedules substances in the Poisons Standard. Many peptides are Schedule 4 (prescription only), so possession without a prescription and personal importation are restricted even when no product is registered.

The classification above is the The Longevity Archive reading of Therapeutic Goods Administration listings for Ruxolitinib at the reviewed date, not a legal opinion. Rules change, and importing, prescribing and possessing a compound can each be treated differently. Check the regulator directly before acting on anything here.