The Longevity Revolution: Biotech Trends Extending Healthspan in 2025

Tyler Brown
May 1
4 min read

In 2025, longevity science is shifting from the fringes to the forefront. Advances in aging biology are accelerating, bolstered by blockbuster metabolic drugs and a cultural embrace of healthspan over wellness. Tech billionaires and venture capitalists are pouring billions into startups aimed at extending healthy lifespan, fueling what some call a new gold rush in biotech. Below, we explore the latest scientific breakthroughs, game-changing drugs like GLP-1 agonists, fitness and biohacking trends, and the key players, companies and investors, driving the U.S. longevity sector forward.

Breakthroughs in Aging Biology

Cellular Reprogramming: A cutting-edge approach to reverse cellular aging involves reactivating youthful gene patterns in old cells. By briefly turning on Yamanaka factors (four genes that can rewind cells to a stem-like state), scientists can "reprogram" cells to a younger state. This technique, pioneered in mice, has extended lifespan in premature-aging models and restored vision in older mice. However, safety challenges like cancerous growths remain, so researchers are pursuing partial reprogramming – dialing cells back just enough to rejuvenate them without losing their identity. Altos Labs has made headlines by using targeted reprogramming to extend the lifespan of mice, hinting at a major leap toward clinical rejuvenation therapies.

Senolytics: Certain aged cells enter a "senescent" state, alive but dysfunctional and pro-inflammatory. Senolytic drugs aim to eliminate these senescent cells, which accumulate with age and contribute to frailty, chronic disease, and inflammation. A 2025 pilot study using the dasatinib + quercetin combo showed improved cognition and reduced inflammation in older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s. Larger human trials are underway, and preclinical studies have consistently shown lifespan extension in rodents.

NAD+ Metabolism: NAD+ is a crucial cofactor for DNA repair, cellular metabolism, and energy production. It declines with age, but supplementation with precursors like NMN and NR has been shown to boost NAD+ levels and improve mitochondrial function. One recent trial found NR supplementation improved physical performance and markers of inflammation in older adults, renewing optimism in this space.

Epigenetic Clocks: These tools estimate biological age by analyzing DNA methylation patterns. In trials, interventions like caloric restriction, growth hormone plus DHEA, and even metformin have shown signs of "age reversal" by clock measurements. Epigenetic clocks are now being used to rapidly assess whether experimental longevity interventions are working.

GLP-1 Agonists: From Obesity to Healthy Aging

Originally designed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) have become mainstream due to their ability to promote 15–20% body weight loss, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce cardiovascular risk. Now, researchers are re-examining these drugs for their broader potential as anti-aging therapies.

These agents may act as geroprotectors, indirectly slowing aging by targeting obesity, inflammation, and cardiometabolic disease, all major aging accelerators. Additionally, they have shown promise in early studies related to cognitive function, fatty liver, and even frailty. BioAge Labs is currently testing a combination of a GLP-1 with an apelin receptor agonist to protect against muscle loss, one of the main aging drawbacks of weight loss drugs.

Performance Longevity: Hyrox, Fitness, and Recovery

Culturally, the concept of longevity is becoming aspirational. Events like Hyrox (a global fitness competition mixing endurance and functional strength) reflect a broader movement toward performance longevity: staying metabolically, physically, and cognitively fit for life. The boom in functional fitness mirrors scientific findings that VO2 max, strength, and recovery ability are among the best predictors of healthspan.

Biohackers and tech-savvy consumers are now using wearables, cold plunges, red light therapy, and continuous glucose monitors to track and optimize longevity biomarkers. The quantified-self movement is intersecting with health tech, fueling demand for preventative tools and products aimed at extending active years.

U.S. Longevity Startups to Watch

Altos Labs – Backed by $3B+ and Jeff Bezos, Altos focuses on cellular rejuvenation via partial reprogramming. Their scientists published studies in 2024 showing mouse lifespan extension.
BioAge Labs – A Bay Area startup using human omics data to identify aging drug targets. Their lead program aims to mimic the benefits of exercise and counteract GLP-1-induced muscle loss.
Turn Biotechnologies – Stanford spinout using mRNA-based epigenetic reprogramming to reverse age in skin and immune cells.
Loyal – Developing the first FDA-approved lifespan-extending drug for dogs, targeting IGF-1 and longevity pathways seen in smaller, longer-lived breeds.
Unity Biotechnology – Early leader in senolytics, now pivoting toward osteoarthritis and eye disease but remains a key player.
Retro Biosciences – Launched with $180M from Sam Altman to extend life by 10 years through cellular reprogramming, plasma therapies, and autophagy.

VCs and Billionaires Fueling the Longevity Boom

Age1 (formerly The Longevity Fund) – Led by Laura Deming, Age1 was the first biotech venture fund devoted solely to longevity startups.
Longevity Venture Partners – An early-stage VC based in Baltimore and Jerusalem focused on SilverTech, healthcare, and longevity/wellness ventures.
Cambrian Biopharma – A venture creation firm building multiple age-related biotech companies, valued at ~$1.8B.
Apollo Health Ventures – Dual-incubator VC in Berlin and Boston co-founding longevity-focused firms using AI and regenerative medicine.
Camino Partners – Founded by Kind Bars' Daniel Lubetzky, this $350M growth fund backs science-based consumer health and longevity brands.
Bryan Johnson (OS Fund) – The entrepreneur behind Braintree and Kernel also founded OS Fund, a VC investing ~$100M into synthetic biology, genomics, and longevity tech. He publicly pursues Project Blueprint, spending ~$2M annually on biohacking to reverse biological aging.
Tech Titans – Sam Altman (Retro Biosciences' $180M seed) aspires to extend lifespan by 10 years; Jeff Bezos (Altos Labs, Unity) and Peter Thiel continue funding reprogramming and senolytic ventures.