APTX 4869

APTX 4869

APTX 4869 (四八六九 ,Yon-Hachi-Roku-Kyuu), code-named Prototype Detective, is a fictional toxin and derivative of an experimental formula of unknown purpose developed by Shiho Miyano, which is used by the Black Organization as an untraceable, lethal poison.

APTX is an abbreviation of "Apoptoxin," and, as the name implies, it involves the activation of uncontrolled apoptosis which causes death by the destruction of cells. In addition, it can also activate telomerase. The original purpose of the compound, as hinted by Haibara herself, is "to raise the dead", indicating an intent to control biological life.

However, in very rare cases, it causes the apoptosis of non-neural cells only and the apoptosis would stabilize at some point, causing the victim's apparent age to be decreased. Shinichi, the series' protagonist, is such a victim; later Shiho Miyano, who chooses to attempt suicide by using her own drug, was added to the two known people to have survive after taking the APTX-4869 throughout the series.

Reversing the effects

Gin poisons Shinichi.

Throughout the series there are several instances in which the APTX was temporarily neutralized and Shinichi and Shiho were returned to their actual age forms. The main ingredient for this reversal is a component found in baijiu, which Ai has already incorporated in a prototype antidote for the APTX.

It is to note that in the instances where Shinichi or Shiho were successfully changed back, the recipient was suffering from a common cold while the component was ingested, indicating that the immune system somehow has to be taxed for the antidote to work. While not canon, Crossroad in the Ancient Capital uses this idea as Conan is given a pill to give him the symptoms of a cold, while drinking baijiu.

Though no explanation was given, Conan and Haibara briefly reverted to their true age while having rum cake in the non-canon live action Shinichi Kudo Returns! Confrontation with the Black Organization.

Speculation

Immortality/Anti-aging

One possibility is that the goal of the APTX 4869 is to develop a therapy which will cause immortality or stall the effects of aging.

The anti-aging side-effects of APTX 4869 probably indicate main intent of the drug. Supporting this is Ai’s line, "Kudo-kun? You would probably never even dream that you are already part of a project the Black Organization has been working on already for half a century." APTX 4869 is the only known intersection between Shinichi and the B.O. It probably was just a useful side effect that the current prototype kills while leaving no trace in the victim’s body, so was employed as a poison. Haibara said that it wasn't her intention to develop a poison. APTX4869 was called the "incomplete detective" which means its true purpose has not yet been achieved. After Pisco saw Haibara shrink back to her child form, he commented that he was impressed she had developed the drug to that point, and her parents would be proud, implying that deaging is in the right direction.
According to Haibara’s description about APTX 4869, it alters telomerase, a component limiting the number of times a cell can divide and therefore its lifespan, and “the reproductive potential” of cells.