Peter Diamandis addresses healthspan progress, opportunities and challenges ahead of Hevolution’s Global Healthspan Summit.
On February 4-5, over 2,500 attendees and more than 175 speakers will convene in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the Hevolution Foundation’s second Global Healthspan Summit (GHS). The event, hosted by the global non-profit, will explore the pathways and frameworks needed to drive and accelerate progress in the healthspan ecosystem.
In just three years, Hevolution Foundation has become the world’s largest philanthropic backer of aging biology and emerging healthspan science, committing over $400 million to the field. Through its Global Healthspan Summit, it has also become a leading convener and catalyst of the global healthspan ecosystem.
From insights into the research and technologies reshaping the field, to exploring the healthspan investment landscape and funding opportunities, Hevolution’s GHS 2025 is poised to host discussions and actions that will shape the future of healthspan. Hevolution Foundation will also be releasing the second edition of its Global Healthspan Report, one of the leading publications on the state of healthspan science, technology, investments and policy globally.
Building on two global surveys, investment data from Longevity.Technology, expert interviews and research, the 2025 Hevolution Global Healthspan Report will examine the current state and future prospects of healthspan, highlighting key developments and actions the field can take as an ecosystem to bring healthspan to the next level. Longevity.Technology was delighted to be part of the team that contributed to producing the report.
Longevity.Technology: As part of the build-up to GHS 2025, we will be running a series of interviews with some of the world’s leading authorities on healthspan, who have contributed to this year’s Global Healthspan Report. Our first interview is with entrepreneur, futurist, technologist and author, Dr Peter Diamandis, Founder & Executive Chairman of XPRIZE Foundation, which is running the world’s largest innovation competition on healthspan, with a $101m first prize. A four-time national best selling author, he also recently released ‘Longevity Guidebook: How to Slow, Stop, and Reverse Aging — and Not Die from Something Stupid’. We caught up with Dr Diamandis to discuss his views on the progress being made in healthspan.
According to Diamandis, the three most significant developments in healthspan science to date have fundamentally redefined our approach to aging.
“First, epigenetic reprogramming, such as the use of Yamanaka factors or certain other transcription factors to turn genes on/off, has demonstrated the potential to reverse cellular aging and restore cells to a youthful state, offering a revolutionary shift in our understanding of aging as reversible rather than inevitable,” he says. “Second, AI-driven drug discovery has transformed the field by accelerating the identification of therapeutic molecules and reducing the cost and time needed for development, enabling rapid advancements in targeting age-related diseases.
“Finally, breakthroughs in senolytics and cellular medicine – therapies that remove senescent cells and rejuvenate immune function – have shown immense promise in addressing the root causes of aging. Together, these advancements form the foundation of a new era in healthspan science.”
Game-changing technologies
Looking ahead, Diamandis is optimistic about several “game-changing” technologies that hold transformative potential for extending healthspan in the next 10 years.
“The next decade will witness game-changing technologies that hold transformative potential for extending healthspan. Gene editing tools, such as gene writing (specifically integration of genes into genomic safe harbor sites ensures their safe and prolonged expression) and CRISPR, are advancing rapidly and will soon allow precise corrections of genetic mutations and activation of protective genes,” he says. “AI-powered diagnostics and sensors will enable the early prediction and prevention of diseases by analyzing biomarkers years before symptoms manifest. Meanwhile, regenerative medicine, including 3D-bioprinted organs, organoids and stem cell therapies, is poised to tackle organ failure and rejuvenate aging tissues.”
According to Diamandis, these innovations, when combined, promise to “redefine how we approach aging and healthspan, creating unprecedented opportunities to extend both lifespan and vitality.”
When it comes to which companies he sees as “leading the charge” in healthspan innovation, Diamandis has plenty to say.
“Fountain Life exemplifies personalized care and proactive health management through comprehensive diagnostics,” he says. “Altos Labs, NewLimit and Retro Bio are pioneering epigenetic reprogramming, pushing the boundaries of aging research. Looking ahead, emerging players like Tune Therapeutics, are employing cutting-edge multiplex gene editing to enhance healthspan.”
AI as a catalyst for healthspan progress
Diamandis expects the next big players in healthspan to emerge from the convergence of AI, cellular medicine and synthetic biology – fields he says are accelerating at exponential rates.
“I’m particularly excited about Immunis and their secretome derived cocktail from stem cells that is restoring muscle and immune function, along with some of the work former Neuralink co-founder Max Hodak is doing at Science Corp. on eyesight and next-generation BCI,” he adds.
A long-time advocate of the potential of AI to benefit healthspan, Diamandis points out that AI has already played a pivotal role in advancing healthspan research by mapping the protein universe through tools like AlphaFold and enabling the rapid identification of drugs targeting aging pathways. In addition, he highlights progress in clinical practice, where AI-powered wearables and diagnostic tools now provide real-time insights into key biomarkers, transforming preventive care.
“Over the next few years, AI is expected to revolutionize predictive modeling for clinical trials, reducing costs and timelines, while driving the development of personalized platforms for optimizing nutrition, exercise, and therapies,” says Diamandis. “In essence, AI is the catalyst accelerating healthspan progress at every level.”
Investment opportunities abound
From an investment perspective, Diamandis believes that the most compelling opportunities for investors lie in areas that democratize healthspan science and restore functionality.
“Biomarkers of aging are critical for early disease detection and tracking intervention efficacy,” he says. “Longevity supplements, including NAD+ precursors and senolytics, are gaining traction as accessible, scalable solutions for consumers. Additionally, AI platforms that provide real-time diagnostics and personalized health interventions represent high-growth potential.”
Investors should, says Diamandis, prioritize companies that focus on reducing the cost of diagnostics and therapies to ensure global accessibility while supporting translational research to bring lab discoveries to practical applications. He adds that ensuring equitable access to healthspan technologies is essential to avoid exacerbating global health disparities.
“Public-private partnerships can subsidize the cost of advanced therapies and diagnostics, making them accessible to underserved populations – look at the vaccine initiatives with Moderna and BioNTech during COVID-19 pandemic,” explains Diamandis. “Mobile health platforms can deliver low-cost diagnostics and interventions in remote areas, while tiered pricing structures can ensure affordability across income levels. To democratize access further, open-source research and global collaborations must prioritize scalability.”
“Healthspan must not remain a privilege of the wealthy; it should become a universal right,” he adds. “Our bodies are incredibly good at hiding disease and adapting the right mindset to do so is also incredibly important!”
Strong leadership is key
Looking to the future, Diamandis believes that the mission to improve healthspan on a global scale faces three major challenges.
“First, the high cost of advanced therapies limits accessibility and scalability, necessitating innovations that lower production and delivery costs,” he says. “Second, regulatory frameworks remain slow and cumbersome, delaying the approval of groundbreaking interventions, but will hopefully improve in the next few years. Third, there is a significant awareness gap, with many people and governments undervaluing healthspan science.”
Diamanidis says these challenges can be overcome through automation, streamlined regulatory processes and global health campaigns to educate and inspire action.
“Leadership must come from a coalition of entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers who share a bold vision for the future of healthspan and are committed to making it a reality for all,” he concludes.
To watch the Global Healthspan Summit live on Feb 4-5, please go to: www.hevolution.com
