Research InstituteResearch on aging and healthspan
Explore the science, companies, institutions, funding, events, and people working to extend healthy human lifespan.
The field
Definition
The science and translation of biological aging, healthspan, lifespan extension, geroscience, senescence, cellular reprogramming, regenerative approaches, longevity therapeutics, biological-age measurement, and longevity medicine.
Field at a glance
The longevity technology stack spans therapeutic platforms, diagnostics, and data infrastructure. Epigenetic reprogramming uses Yamanaka factors (or subsets) to reverse cellular age markers without losing cell identity, the most ambitious therapeutic approach in the field. Senolytics selectively clear senescent cells that accumulate with age and drive chronic inflammation, with small molecules, peptides, and antibody-based approaches in development. Gene therapy delivers genetic modifications that target specific aging mechanisms, such as telomerase activation or mitochondrial DNA repair. Epigenetic clocks (Horvath, GrimAge, DunedinPACE) measure biological age from DNA methylation patterns, providing the most reliable current biomarker of aging rate. Multi-omic profiling (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics) creates comprehensive molecular portraits that identify individual aging trajectories and intervention opportunities. AI-driven drug discovery applies machine learning to identify novel targets in aging biology and design compounds that modulate age-related pathways.
Longevity applications span therapeutic, diagnostic, and consumer wellness domains. In therapeutics, companies are developing senolytics for age-related conditions: Unity Biotechnology targets osteoarthritis with senescent cell-clearing compounds, while others pursue senolytic approaches for pulmonary fibrosis, kidney disease, and neurodegeneration. In diagnostics, biological age tests from TruDiagnostic and others provide individuals with a measurable, trackable indicator of their aging rate that responds to lifestyle interventions, creating actionable health data. In consumer health, longevity clinics like Fountain Life offer comprehensive assessments (full-body MRI, coronary calcium scoring, multi-omic profiling, cognitive testing) that identify disease risks years before symptoms appear. In supplements, companies selling NMN, NR, resveratrol, and rapamycin analogs provide products with varying degrees of scientific support aimed at targeting specific aging mechanisms. In data and analytics, platforms that aggregate biological age, fitness, sleep, nutrition, and biomarker data create personalized aging dashboards that track intervention effectiveness over time.
The global longevity and anti-aging market exceeded $85 billion in 2025, with over $13 billion in cumulative venture funding directed toward longevity science startups. The market spans therapeutic development (senolytics, epigenetic reprogramming, gene therapies targeting aging), consumer health (biological age testing, longevity supplements, health optimization protocols), diagnostics (aging biomarkers, multi-omic panels), and the emerging category of longevity clinics and platforms that connect consumers with evidence-based anti-aging interventions. The sector sits at the intersection of biotech, consumer health, and fundamental aging science, attracting capital from dedicated longevity funds, biotech crossover investors, and high-net-worth individuals with personal conviction in extending healthspan.
Money and ways in
courseThe Butler-Williams Scholars Program trains early-career researchers in aging research, grant writing and NIA funding.
fellowshipFunded PhD positions in the biology of ageing at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing and partner institutes in Cologne.
competitionThe LIC Start-Up Innovation Catalyst selects up to 9 longevity startups to present at the Longevity Investors Conference in Gstaad; package…
fellowshipThe LongeVC Fellowship places MS, PhD and postdoc researchers part-time on a longevity VC investment team.
fellowshipLongevity Biotech Fellowship is Longevity Biotech Fellowship's fellowship offering a community for building and launching longevity biotech…
competitionLongevity Global's NYC AI x Longevity Pitch Competition selects Seed and Series A companies to pitch; the 2026 grand prize was six months o…
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fellowshipNexus is a selective community for people committed to longevity that runs deep dives and awards some members fellowships at Norn Group.
fellowshipThe Summer Scholars program places undergraduates in aging research labs for 10 to 12 weeks with a stipend.
courseMBL's Biology of Aging is an immersive research course that teaches newcomers the fundamentals and methods of geroscience.
fellowshipMSTAR funds 8 to 12 week aging research placements for US medical students.
fellowshipThe VitaDAO Longevity Fellowship gives small grants to students and early-career people to attend conferences, visit labs or run projects i…
fellowshipThe Time Initiative funds young researchers to pursue ambitious projects in aging biology.
residencyThe mini-sabbatical funds researchers to train in aging-research techniques at the Wisconsin Nathan Shock Center.
fellowshipThe Xplore Program is a remote summer fellowship that combines aging biology courses with project placements at longevity organizations.
fellowshipApollo Health Ventures Moonshot Venture Fellowship is Apollo Health Ventures' fellowship offering immersive training for PhD-level scientis…
courseThe EMSc Longevity is a 12-month distance program on the biology and clinical application of healthy aging.
fellowshipThe Foresight Fellowship is a year-long program giving early-career scientists mentors, paid travel to Foresight events and access to its A…
acceleratorSpringboard's Longevity Accelerator supports women-led seed to Series A companies building healthspan, care and aging-economy products.
competitionThe Longevity Show Pitch Competition selects a Top 30 of longevity startups, with five pitching live in London; 2026 entries are closed and…
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