Chinese biotech firm says new anti-ageing pill could push human lifespan towards 150 years

China’s life expectancy was estimated at around 79 years in 2024, several years above the worldwide average.

A biotechnology company in Shenzhen drew international attention after asserting that human beings might eventually reach lifespans of around 150 years. The claim was made by Lonvi Biosciences, which argued that its research pointed to the possibility of slowing age-related deterioration through a new pharmaceutical intervention. The statement surfaced at a time when global life expectancy typically remained in the range of 65 to 70 years.

The firm said its work centred on a capsule developed to counter senescent cells — ageing cells that no longer divide yet continue to accumulate in tissues, contributing to chronic inflammation and several conditions associated with advancing age. According to the company, the formulation relied on Procyanidin C1 (PCC1), a compound sourced from grape seeds.

Lonvi reported that laboratory experiments in mice produced notable outcomes: animals receiving the treatment showed a 9.4 per cent increase in total lifespan, while their projected remaining life expectancy from the start of the regimen rose by more than 64 per cent. The company argued that such findings supported the potential of interventions aimed at cellular ageing.

Lyu Qinghua, the company’s chief technology officer, told The New York Times that achieving a lifespan of 150 years was “definitely realistic,” and said that meaningful progress could become evident within a comparatively short period.

China’s life expectancy was estimated at around 79 years in 2024, several years above the worldwide average. Researchers and industry observers noted that the country had seen significant expansion in public interest, governmental focus and private investment directed towards ageing-related science, with predictions that longevity rates could continue to rise.

Gan Yu, co-founder of the Shanghai-based longevity company Time Pie, said attitudes had shifted considerably. “Earlier, no one in China talked about living longer; it was something only wealthy Americans explored. Now, many Chinese are investing in longevity,” he told remarked.

While the claims attracted enthusiasm from supporters of longevity research, specialists in the field emphasised that the findings remained at an early stage. They said that although the observations in mice were promising, comprehensive human studies were essential before assessing the safety, reliability or broader implications of the approach.

A separate description of the company’s ambitions came from its chief executive, Ip Zhu, who characterised the capsule as a significant step forward. He said, “This is not just another pill. This is the Holy Grail,” and described the company’s aim as making extended lifespans feasible.

Lonvi said the PCC1-based formulation was designed not only to extend life but also to delay conditions associated with ageing. The company stated that the compound supported cellular resilience, slowed degeneration and aided the body’s ability to sustain energy production over time. According to the firm, long-term benefits could be enhanced when used alongside healthy lifestyle practices, and it suggested that individuals could potentially live well beyond the age of 100, with the possibility of crossing 120.

The company’s work emerged at a time when China’s government had placed biotechnology and ageing research alongside artificial intelligence in its broader development priorities. Reports referenced discussions between President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin about scientific advances in lifespan extension, including speculative remarks on whether organ-based technologies might one day influence human longevity.