The market downturn has presented challenges for both non-profits and biotech startups in terms of fundraising this year. Conferences have shifted towards a more academic focus as companies and investors have tightened their belts and postponed investment rounds. Nevertheless, hype for various projects continues, and media coverage of the longevity industry remains strong. Despite the challenges, the field has matured and is poised for significant growth in the coming years. Biotechnology focused on treating aging is especially promising and is showing signs of growth, with some groups pulling ahead of others.
Instead of focusing on the mechanism of aging, this year’s retrospective will group research by age-related conditions. This approach, though different, aims to highlight specific contributions of research in the aging research field. The research has predominantly focused on neurodegenerative conditions, reflecting the budget priorities of the NIA.
Advocacy and lobbying efforts have continued to center around increasing funding for aging research programs. The financial potential for anti-aging drugs is attracting venture capitalists, and numerous organizations, such as the XPRIZE and the Amaranth Foundation, continue to work towards advancing aging research. Philanthropic donations are being solicited for rejuvenation therapy studies, and new organizations, like the Phaedon Institute, are emerging to support these efforts.
On the regulatory front, companies are not anticipating a clear path for aging treatments to receive approval anytime soon; they continue to focus on treating specific diseases of aging instead. However, the regulatory landscape is expected to shift eventually, opening the door to more advanced aging treatments. Meanwhile, the off-label use of therapies that may slow or reverse aging in humans, like rapamycin, and the senolytic dasatinib and quercetin combination, is gaining public attention.
Research advancements in animal models have resulted in studies showing improved life spans and extended vigor, particularly in mice, flies, and nematodes. The comparative biology of aging is still being studied, with continued interest in understanding the differences between species and how they might lead to improvements in human capabilities. Studies have focused on various long-lived and resilient species, such as whales, jellyfish, and naked mole-rats, as well as comparisons between species with varying lifespans, such as bivalves.
Overall, the aging research field is poised for significant growth and development in the coming years, with advancements in advocacy, research, and comparative biology providing momentum for future breakthroughs.
