Longevity & Biotech Pre-IPO

Longevity Startups

Altos Labs, Rejuvenate Bio, BioAge and peers.

Investment Overview

Longevity startups target aging biology through senolytics (clearing senescent cells), NAD+ boosters, epigenetic reprogramming, and parabiosis. Leading companies: Altos Labs ($3B funding, cellular reprogramming), Unity Biotechnology (senolytics, public: UBX), Retro Biosciences ($180M, partial reprogramming), Life Biosciences (Unity spinout portfolio). Investment thesis: Aging is programmable disease, not inevitable; interventions could extend healthspan 10-20 years. Market size: $25B longevity sector (2024), projected $600B by 2035. Access: Equity crowdfunding (Republic, StartEngine, $100-$5K), angel syndicates (AngelList, $1K-$25K), biotech VC funds (Longevity Fund, $100K+ minimums).

Market Context & Trends

Longevity investment exploded 2020-2024 with $5B+ deployed. Jeff Bezos backed Altos Labs ($3B, 2021), targeting cellular reprogramming. However, Unity Biotechnology crashed 94% ($1B peak to $50M, 2018-2024) after senolytic drug failed Phase II. Key challenge: Biology complex, human trials take 10+ years, most interventions fail. Successes: Calico (Google/AbbVie, $2.5B) progressing slowly; Gerostate Alpha ($100M, studying metformin for aging). FDA exploring aging as official indication (vs. treating specific diseases), could accelerate approvals 5+ years.

How to Invest in Longevity Startups

Republic Longevity Offerings: Occasional equity crowdfunding (Loyal for Dogs $27M raise, Avea Life), $100-$5K

Longevity Fund: VC fund, portfolio includes Altos Labs, Life Biosciences, Gero, $100K+ accredited

AngelList Longevity Syndicates: Curated deals, $1K-$25K per investment, accredited investors

Unity Biotechnology (UBX): Public senolytic company, $50M market cap (down from $1B+), speculative

AgeX Therapeutics (AGE): Public longevity biotech, $30M market cap, induced tissue regeneration focus

Key Platforms & Access Points

Republic: Equity crowdfunding, occasional longevity deals (Loyal, Avea), $100+ minimums

Longevity Fund: Apollo Health Ventures, $200M AUM, Altos Labs, Life Biosciences portfolio

AngelList: Longevity syndicates (Naval Ravikant, others), $1K-$25K per deal, accredited only

Unity Biotechnology (UBX): Nasdaq-listed, senolytic pioneer, failed Phase II but pivoting

BioAge Labs: Private, aging biology platform, NAD+ boosters, $170M raised (Series C 2024)

Key Investment Metrics

Mechanism of action: Senolytics (cell clearance), NAD+ (mitochondrial), epigenetic (reprogramming)

Preclinical efficacy: Mouse lifespan extension 20-30% minimum for credibility

Clinical trial stage: Preclinical (10+ years to market), Phase I (7-10 years), Phase II (5-7 years)

FDA pathway: Aging as indication (not approved yet) vs. disease-specific (diabetes, Alzheimer's)

Capital runway: Burn rate vs. cash; need 18-24 months minimum or face dilutive raises

Risk Considerations

Understanding these risks is critical before investing in longevity startups.

Clinical failure: 90% of drugs fail clinical trials; longevity drugs unproven in humans (mouse studies only)
Regulatory uncertainty: FDA doesn't recognize aging as disease; must treat specific conditions (longer trials)
Long timelines: 10-15 years preclinical to approval; capital locked up decade+ with no returns
Dilution risk: Biotechs raise every 18-24 months; early investors diluted 50-80% by IPO
Hype cycle: Unity crashed 94% after failure; longevity sector could face similar disillusionment

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