The Regenerative Health Association Podcast features a keynote panel discussion recorded live at the 2025 Biotech Showcase in San Francisco.
This year’s conference, a cornerstone event in the life sciences industry, brought together over 3,250 global biotech and health leaders to discuss cutting-edge innovations in healthcare. Our podcast features an exceptional panel on “Enhancing Longevity,” moderated by Professor Gordon Lithgow from the prestigious Buck Institute.
The panelist include:
- Hanadie Yousef, CEO of Juvena Therapeutics, a pioneer in developing protein-based therapeutics for age-related diseases.
- Markus Gstöttner, CEO of Clock.bio, whose company recently raised $5.3M to decode the genetic atlas of human rejuvenation factors.
- Michael Curtis, President and CEO of eGenesis, leading the charge in xenotransplantation and addressing the organ shortage crisis.
- Frederick Beddingfield, CEO of Rubedo Life Sciences, focusing on innovative therapies targeting cells that drive chronic age-related diseases
Their conversation highlights the growing interest in targeting the biology of aging to develop therapies for age-related diseases and extend “healthspan” or not just living longer but healthier too.
No time to listen? Here’s a few key takeaways:
Defining Longevity
The panelists agreed that longevity is not just about extending lifespan, but rather increasing the duration of disease-free, high-quality life. This concept, often referred to as “healthspan,” is at the core of their research and development efforts.
Approaches to Anti-Aging
Several innovative approaches to combating aging were discussed:
- Regenerative Medicine: Companies like Juvena Therapeutics are developing biologics that restore tissue function and promote regeneration.
- Stem Cell Science: Clock Bio is working on decoding the mechanisms of cellular rejuvenation using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
- Organ Replacement: E-Genesis is advancing xenotransplantation technology to address organ shortages and potentially replace aging organs.
- Cellular Regeneration: Verva Pharmaceuticals is focusing on cellular regeneration, starting with skin treatments but aiming for systemic therapies.
Challenges and Opportunities:
The panel identified several key hurdles as well as promises.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Companies must frame their work in terms of specific diseases to align with current FDA frameworks.
- Systemic Effects: There’s growing recognition that targeting aging pathways could have beneficial effects across multiple organs and diseases.
- Funding and Timelines: Investors are increasingly focused on near-term clinical translation, putting pressure on companies to show results quickly.
The Shift in Perception
There’s been a notable evolution in how the industry and investors view longevity research. What was once considered taboo is now gaining mainstream acceptance, partly due to the success of metabolic therapies like GLP-1 agonists for obesity.
Looking Ahead
The panelists expressed optimism about the future of longevity science, with some believing that the next trillion-dollar biotech company could emerge from this field. However, they emphasized the importance of:
- Focusing on data-driven approaches
- Balancing ambitious long-term goals with achievable near-term milestones
- Considering strategic partnerships to leverage expertise and resources
As the field advances, we can expect to see more therapies targeting the fundamental biology of aging, potentially revolutionizing how we approach age-related diseases and overall health maintenance. The discussion underscored that while challenges remain, the longevity sector is poised for significant growth and innovation in the coming years, with the potential to dramatically impact human health and lifespan.
We invite you to give a listen to this distinguished panel but please note, audio quality is inferior but still audible and the information and discussion is worth it!
