XPRIZE Healthspan names top 100 teams advancing healthy aging

“ From over 600 registrants, the XPRIZE judging panel (which included Longevity.Technology CEO Phil Newman) has selected a strikingly diverse range of interventions. BioAge Labs is focusing on inflammation and metabolic dysfunction via NLRP3 inhibition; Longeveron Inc is trialing a mesenchymal stem cell therapy for age-related frailty; Timeline continues to develop its Urolithin A-based mitophagy activator. Other teams, such as NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity and Cyclarity Therapeutics, are deploying multi-modal or precision geroscience strategies, while firms like Rejuvenate Bio and R42 Group are turning to gene therapy and AI-guided systems biology.”

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Finalist teams

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I read through the “core innovations” and none that i noticed mentioned mitochondrial DNA although quite a few talk about mitochondria and autophagy. Only two mention rapamycin.

Chat GPT gives this short summary for each team:

Certainly! Here’s a summary of the “Core Innovation” for each of the Top 40 Milestone 1 award-winning teams in the XPRIZE Healthspan competition, as detailed in the :


1. Abe Yoando Pharma Co., Ltd.

Core Innovation: Developing a novel small-molecule compound targeting age-related muscle degeneration through modulation of mitochondrial function.KC User Content

2. AgelessRx

Core Innovation: Implementing a combination therapy using metformin and rapamycin to enhance metabolic health and immune function.The Guardian

3. Ani Biome

Core Innovation: Utilizing microbiome modulation to improve cognitive and immune functions in aging populations.TikTok+5LinkedIn+5Salk Institute for Biological Studies+5

4. AutoPhagyGO

Core Innovation: Promoting autophagy through a proprietary peptide to rejuvenate cellular health and function.

5. BioAge Labs

Core Innovation: Targeting inflammation and metabolic pathways using NLRP3 inhibitors to enhance healthspan.KC User Content+6LinkedIn+6XPRIZE+6

6. BioArmor

Core Innovation: Developing a gene therapy approach to bolster immune resilience and muscle strength in older adults.LinkedIn

7. Boston Healthspan Team

Core Innovation: Integrating personalized nutrition and exercise regimens guided by AI to optimize aging-related health parameters.

8. Canadian Translational Geroscience Network

Core Innovation: Conducting multi-site clinical trials on senolytic agents to clear senescent cells and restore tissue function.

9. Circadian

Core Innovation: Implementing personalized circadian rhythm optimization strategies, including time-restricted eating and sleep hygiene, to enhance overall healthspan.Salk Institute for Biological Studies

10. Exomed

Core Innovation: Employing exosome-based therapies to deliver regenerative signals to aging tissues.Wikipedia+3LinkedIn+3Longevity Technology+3

11. GI Innovation

Core Innovation: Developing gut microbiota-targeted interventions to improve systemic inflammation and metabolic health.

12. Goda Lab

Core Innovation: Exploring the use of NAD+ precursors to boost cellular energy metabolism and cognitive function.

13. Healthy Longevity Clinic

Core Innovation: Offering comprehensive lifestyle modification programs, including diet, exercise, and stress management, tailored to individual aging profiles.

14. Accutar

Core Innovation: Utilizing AI-driven drug discovery to identify novel compounds that target aging-related pathways.

15. Ageless - Genome Restoration Collective

Core Innovation: Pursuing genome editing techniques to repair age-associated genetic damage and restore cellular function.

16. Agemica

Core Innovation: Developing small molecules that mimic caloric restriction effects to promote longevity.

17. Alpha Rejuvenation

Core Innovation: Creating therapies that rejuvenate the thymus to enhance immune system function in the elderly.Longevity Technology

18. Aptah Bio

Core Innovation: Targeting epigenetic modifications to reverse age-related gene expression changes.

19. ASAGI Labs

Core Innovation: Investigating natural compounds that activate longevity-associated signaling pathways.

20. ASU Team Healthspan

Core Innovation: Combining nutraceuticals and physical activity interventions to improve muscle and cognitive health.The Guardian

21. Aviv

Core Innovation: Utilizing hyperbaric oxygen therapy protocols to enhance cognitive and physical performance in aging individuals.

22. Axxium Life

Core Innovation: Developing mitochondrial-targeted antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress and improve cellular function.

23. bBHC

Core Innovation: Implementing behavioral health coaching combined with biometric monitoring to promote healthy aging.

24. Beijing Joekai Biotechnology

Core Innovation: Engineering stem cell-derived exosomes to repair and regenerate aging tissues.

25. Beiwe

Core Innovation: Leveraging digital phenotyping to monitor and intervene in aging-related health decline.

26. Bluebird Longevity

Core Innovation: Applying gene therapy techniques to upregulate longevity-associated genes.

27. BOOCS & Plasmalogen

Core Innovation: Combining brain-oriented obesity control systems with plasmalogen supplementation to improve metabolic and cognitive health.

28. CHANGS

Core Innovation: Developing traditional Chinese medicine-based formulations to address aging-related health issues.

29. Cura Therapeutics

Core Innovation: Targeting cellular senescence pathways to rejuvenate tissues and organs.

30. Cyclarity Therapeutics

Core Innovation: Designing cyclodextrin-based therapies to remove arterial plaque and improve cardiovascular health.

31. Deciduous Therapeutics

Core Innovation: Creating immunotherapies that clear senescent cells to restore tissue function.

32. EffePharm Ltd.

Core Innovation: Developing NMN-based supplements to enhance NAD+ levels and cellular energy metabolism.

33. EpiTransfer

Core Innovation: Exploring epigenetic reprogramming techniques to reverse age-related cellular changes.

34. ERAP Trial

Core Innovation: Conducting clinical trials on enzyme replacement therapies to address age-associated metabolic disorders.

35. Fountain Therapeutics

Core Innovation: Utilizing AI to identify compounds that restore youthful cell morphology and function.

36. Gero

Core Innovation: Applying machine learning models to predict and modulate biological aging processes.The Guardian+2KC User Content+2XPRIZE+2

37. HAYA Therapeutics

Core Innovation: Targeting long non-coding RNAs to regulate gene expression involved in aging.

38. Longeveron

Core Innovation: Developing stem cell therapies to treat frailty and enhance physical function in older adults.LinkedIn

39. NUS Academy

Core Innovation: Implementing multimodal interventions, including diet, exercise, and cognitive training, to promote healthy aging.The Guardian

40. Rejuvenate Bio

Core Innovation: Employing gene therapy to activate protective pathways against age-related diseases.

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Another chatGPT analysis:

considering the proposals to deal with aging in FINAL_XPHS_QualifiedTeams.pdf are there any novel suggestions

ChatGPT said:

The XPRIZE Healthspan competition, as detailed in the Qualified Teams Book, showcases a range of innovative approaches to extending healthy human lifespan and addressing age-related decline. Among the 187 qualified teams, several have proposed novel strategies that stand out for their originality and potential impact:XPRIZE

1. Microbiome Modulation for Aging

  • Ani Biome: This team focuses on manipulating the gut microbiome to enhance healthspan. By altering microbial compositions, they aim to influence systemic inflammation and metabolic health, which are critical factors in aging.

2. Autophagy Enhancement

  • AutoPhagyGO: Targeting the body’s natural cellular cleanup process, autophagy, this team seeks to develop therapeutics that boost this mechanism, thereby reducing cellular damage and promoting longevity.XPRIZE

3. Circadian Rhythm Optimization

  • Circadian: Recognizing the role of circadian rhythms in overall health, this team aims to develop interventions that align biological clocks, potentially mitigating age-related disorders linked to circadian misalignment.

4. Epigenetic Reprogramming

  • EpiTransfer: This approach involves resetting epigenetic markers to a more youthful state, thereby rejuvenating cells and tissues. By modifying gene expression patterns without altering the DNA sequence, they aim to reverse aspects of aging.

5. Plasmalogen Restoration

  • BOOCS & Plasmalogen: Focusing on plasmalogens—lipids that decrease with age—this team is developing methods to restore their levels, which may improve cognitive function and cellular integrity.

6. Senolytic Therapies

  • Deciduous Therapeutics: This team is working on senolytics, agents that selectively eliminate senescent cells, which accumulate with age and contribute to chronic inflammation and tissue dysfunction.

These innovative approaches reflect a broader trend in aging research that moves beyond traditional methods, exploring the underlying biological processes of aging to develop targeted interventions. The diversity of strategies—from microbiome modulation to epigenetic reprogramming—highlights the multifaceted nature of aging and the need for interdisciplinary solutions.

For more detailed information on each team’s methodology and progress, you can refer to the full Qualified Teams Book.

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I’m betting we get some really interesting results with this one. These drugs have shown the ability to reverse gray hair, which I theorize could mean it causes powerful rejuvenating effects. I made a post about these drugs before the XPrize finalists were announced, I think this is a good sign for them.

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The Janus Kinase can influence cytosolic acetyl-CoA levels through controlling the expression of SLC25A1.

The more I look into this pathway the more I think this is something very significant.

Summary of study: PAI-1 (Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1) is a protein that plays a significant role in cellular senescence and aging. Research has shown that elevated levels of PAI-1 are associated with various age-related diseases, including thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, obesity, diabetes, and major depressive disorders. Studies have also demonstrated that PAI-1 is not only a marker but also a key mediator of cellular senescence, and that its inhibition can prevent age-related pathology and morbidity. The development of novel small molecule-based therapies targeting PAI-1 normalization or inhibition provides a promising approach to controlling cellular senescence and age-associated pathologies.

Key points:

  • PAI-1 is a protein involved in cellular senescence and aging
  • Elevated PAI-1 levels are associated with various age-related diseases
  • PAI-1 is a key mediator of cellular senescence
  • Inhibition of PAI-1 can prevent age-related pathology and morbidity
  • Novel therapies targeting PAI-1 normalization or inhibition show promise in controlling cellular senescence and age-associated pathologies.

Protection Against Fibrosis

  • PAI-1 promotes fibrotic tissue remodeling in the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
  • In aging, fibrosis contributes to organ stiffness and loss of function.
  • PAI-1 inhibitors may preserve tissue elasticity and regenerative capacity.

The question, however, is whether PAI-1 is correlative or causative. I would argue a case that IL-6 (to some extent IL-11) and IL-10 are both linked to senescence through SASP.

IL-10, however, indirectly reduces gene expression more generally changing mRNA splicing and causing senescence. Hence you may find that PAI-1 reduction if done through the Janus Kinase (JAK/STAT) - through which IL-6 and -10 influence cellular function) is associated also with increases in SLC25A1.

I want to see lifespan data on as many molecules hitting these pathways as possible.

I am not myself persuaded that hitting the Janus Kinase is a good strategy in of itself. However, it has for some time been known that it can have a hair darkening effect, but I think there are better ways to do this.

I think there is enough promising data to warrant testing these.

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That’s OK. I would not try to stop you. On the other hand I personally would not fund such tests.