Alex Colville, co-founder of Age1, talks about funding longevity science, studying the biology of ageing, the rise of geroscience, healthspan, the potential of metformin, working on an anti-ageing treatment, and how long he thinks we'll live.
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Quick takeaways
The field of aging research is shifting towards treating aging as an affliction that can be treated, rather than solely focusing on age-related diseases.
Geroprotectors, interventions that target the biological processes of aging, have the potential to significantly extend human lifespan and healthspan if further research and trials are conducted.
Deep dives
Investing in Longevity
Alex Colville, co-founder of the investment fund H1, discusses their mission to invest in startups focused on extending healthy life through aging interventions. They aim to support entrepreneurs in developing the 'magic pill' that can significantly extend human lifespan. With increasing attention and funding in the field, they believe that groundbreaking therapies for aging could be approved within the next decade.
Changing Perspectives on Aging
The field of aging research is experiencing a shift in perspective, treating aging itself as an affliction that can be treated rather than solely focusing on age-related diseases. This change is driven by smart people, increased funding, and a growing understanding of the interconnectedness of age-related diseases. Approaches that target the underlying pathways of aging have the potential to extend human lifespan and healthspan significantly.
The Potential of Geroprotectors
Geroprotectors are interventions that target the biological processes of aging, and they show promising results in extending lifespan and healthspan in animal studies. While the efficacy of geroprotectors in humans is yet to be proven, there are several interventions, such as metformin and SGLT2 inhibitors, with promising evidence that could have a significant impact on human lifespan and health if further research and trials are conducted.
The Economic and Social Implications of Aging Interventions
Successfully developing aging interventions and extending healthy life could have profound economic and social implications. It could lead to a 'longevity dividend' with substantial economic gains and major shifts in societal dynamics, including retirement age, productivity, and caregiving. The goal is not just to prolong life but to enhance health and quality of life during extended lifespan. The aging field is poised to transform how we approach and experience aging, offering new opportunities for a healthier and longer life.
The Sunday Times’ tech correspondent Danny Fortson brings on Alex Colville, co-founder of Age1, to talk about funding longevity science (3:15), studying the biology of ageing (5:10), the snake oil problem (11:05), the rise of “geroscience” (15:15), healthspan (23:05), the ageing hypothesis (26:55), the potential of metformin (30:05), working on an anti-ageing treatment (34:15), and how long he thinks we’ll live (38:45).