#24 Deeptech Insights - Breaking the Age Barrier: the Latest Breakthroughs and Developments in Longevity Research
DeepTech Innovations Unlocked: This Week Our Expert News Analysis for Smarter Business and Investment Decisions
By Eden Djanashvili, Deeptech Expert
What is going on?
Humankind has always been in love with the idea of “eternal life”. Although before it was considered a dream, today, restorative health is on its way to become a reality. Breakthroughs in the study of longevity—why humans age, how they age, and interventions to slow the aging process—are nourishing the possibility that humans may surpass existing life expectancies and live longer, reaching their 150s.
As people live longer, they are more likely to face age-related health challenges, such as chronic diseases, disabilities, and cognitive decline. Improving longevity could lead to new insights and interventions that not only extend lifespan, but also improve the quality of life at all stages of life.
What does it mean?
Longevity is still in its infancy but we are already seeing a new shift-paradigm emerging from the traditional disease-focused treatments towards addressing the root causes of aging — underlying mechanisms of aging, biological systems, and wellness. Improving longevity could have significant implications:
Increased productivity: As people live longer, they are able to remain in the workforce longer, which can increase productivity and output. Older workers also tend to have more experience and knowledge, which can be valuable to employers.
Reduced healthcare costs: If people are able to live longer, healthier lives, it could reduce healthcare costs associated with age-related diseases and disabilities. This could potentially ease the burden on healthcare systems and reduce healthcare spending.
Increased consumer spending: Older individuals tend to have more disposable income and may continue to spend money on goods and services, which can stimulate economic growth.
New industries and job creation: The pursuit of longevity research could lead to the development of new industries and job creation, including in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.
Reduced burden on social programs: As people live longer, they may rely less on social programs such as retirement benefits and healthcare assistance. This could potentially reduce the burden on these programs and free up resources for other areas of the economy.
Why should I care?
💸For markets: an influx of investment is redirected to the longevity industry.
According to Allied Market Research, the global longevity market is projected to reach $44.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2021 to 2030.
There are several companies around the world that are working on developing technologies and treatments aimed at extending human lifespan:
Calico: A research and development company founded by Google, which is focused on developing treatments for age-related diseases and extending lifespan.
Unity Biotechnology: A US-based company that is developing senolytic drugs, which target senescent cells in the body that contribute to aging and age-related diseases.
Insilico Medicine: A biotech company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new drugs and treatments for aging-related diseases, with a focus on extending lifespan.
Human Longevity: A company co-founded by Craig Venter, which uses genomic data to develop personalized health and wellness plans aimed at extending lifespan.
BioAge Labs: A company focused on developing drugs and therapies to extend human lifespan, using a combination of AI and machine learning to identify new targets and drug candidates.
Juvenescence: A UK-based biotech company that is developing treatments for aging-related diseases, with a focus on extending human lifespan.
Oisin Biotechnologies: A company that is developing a novel gene therapy platform to target and eliminate senescent cells in the body, which could potentially extend lifespan and improve overall health.
There are also relevant startups that are looking to bridge the age gap some of who you may find below:
Telomere Therapeutics (Spain): Telomere Therapeutics is developing a telomerase gene therapy that counteracts telomere shortening and can treat age-related diseases.
Cellvie (Switzerland): Cellvie is working on a way of transplanting mitochondria directly into compromised cells.
Samsara Therapeutics (UK/US): By restoring autophagy - a natural process in which the body's cells clean out any damaged or unnecessary components- in such diseased cells Samsara says it can remove the misfolded protein.
Senisca (UK): By restoring the splicing factor — a protein — to how it is in younger cells, Senisca hopes to turn back the ageing clock in old cells.
Nuritas (US/UK): Nuritas aims to discover bioactive peptides that can be used to optimise glucose metabolism, regain muscle strength and rejuvenate skin.
🧑🏿🤝🧑🏻For society: stronger family ties could emergy leading to a new way of living.
Improved quality of life: As people live longer, they are able to enjoy more years of good health and freedom from age-related diseases and disabilities. This can lead to a better overall quality of life for older individuals.
Intergenerational relationships: Longer lifespans can allow for more opportunities for intergenerational relationships and connections, such as grandparents spending more time with their grandchildren.
Social cohesion: Longer lifespans can promote social cohesion by allowing older individuals to continue to contribute to society, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or other activities.
Reduced ageism: If people are able to live longer, healthier lives, it could reduce ageism and negative attitudes towards aging.
Stronger families and communities: Longer lifespans can allow for more time for families and communities to bond and support one another, which can promote social cohesion and a sense of belonging.
🔮What’s next?
Traditional innovation and care models will not cease to exist, but rather they will have less influence on how we think about and deploy healthcare in the future.
Targeting the root causes of aging and disease could revolutionise the world of healthcare as we know it. From startups, to multibillion-dollar pharmaceutical organizations, to regulatory agencies, a rich ecosystem of new and emerging stakeholders is defining the future of longevity.
A major transformation is leading the healthcare industry that will affect all stakeholders. How can companies shift their focus to health and well-being and at the same time adapt to the changing attitudes around aging?
They may have to adopt emerging technology, which can allow data to be continuously gathered, stored by multiple owners, and selectively made available to generate real-time insights needed for personalized, always-on decision-making.
Companies should also forge new partnerships by looking beyond health care to understand how other industries support individuals as they age. Many financial services and long-term care insurers, for example, understand a very different set of needs that has not been a major focus for health care organizations.
They should go beyond health to understand how basic needs, such as access to the internet or the ability to make mortgage payments, are critical building blocks to “treating” the entire person.
Organisations should be aware of the push for data, privacy and security. Consumers will ask to have access to detailed information about their own health to play a central role in making decisions about their health and well-being.
This radical re-envisioning of life sciences and healthcare will likely bring new roles and, investments & business opportunities emerging to meet consumers’ demands. It will also require a relevant shift in mindset and significant action on the part of today’s companies.
Longevity is here to stay. The next generations will likely live just as long (if not longer) than us. Businesses today should innovate and adapt to the challenges of the next generations to come.
✨ That’s all for today. Thanks for reading ! Stay tuned for our next article coming up next week with our Deeptech Insights Newsletter.
Much love Deeptechers!👋💖