a16z Podcast The Biology of Aging: Introducing Bio Eats World (ep 1)
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Sep 23, 2020 Kristen Fortney, co-founder of BioAge, dives into the revolutionary science of aging and healthspan. The conversation covers groundbreaking research on aging-related drugs and their potential to transform healthcare. They explore how insights from aging can reshape our understanding of diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. The group discusses innovative therapies, the significance of biomarkers, and the importance of diverse founders in the longevity sector. Fortney's insights highlight a new era where biology meets technology, paving the way for a healthier future.
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Aging Research: A New Frontier
- Aging research is a relatively new field, with major advancements occurring in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Early discoveries, like calorie restriction extending lifespan in animals, paved the way for current research.
Cynthia Kenyon's Courage
- Cynthia Kenyon faced discouragement when studying aging, even being told it could end her career.
- Despite this, her research, like the single-gene deletion doubling lifespan in C. elegans, became pivotal.
Aging Drugs in Clinical Trials
- Clinical trials now test aging-related drugs on patients, marking a turning point.
- Metformin, linked to decreased mortality in diabetics, is a prominent example in ongoing trials.