Why billionaires are pouring billions into the quest to live longer

Their money has transformed longevity research from a fringe pursuit into one of the most talked-about frontiers in biotechnology, the Wall Street Journal reported.

What once seemed like science fiction is now attracting billions of dollars from Silicon Valley and Wall Street. A new analysis shows that the ultrawealthy — from Peter Thiel to Sam Altman — have invested more than $5 billion over the past 25 years in companies promising to slow, halt or even reverse aging. Their money has transformed longevity research from a fringe pursuit into one of the most talked-about frontiers in biotechnology, the Wall Street Journal reported.

A surge of billionaire-backed bets

Peter Thiel has been among the most prolific investors, supporting nearly a dozen companies that together raised more than $700 million. His protégé, OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, put $180 million into Retro Biosciences, a startup working on drugs to reprogram aging cells. Coinbase co-founder Brian Armstrong launched NewLimit in 2021 to focus on reversing cellular aging, raising $200 million from investors including Thiel, Eric Schmidt and Joe Lonsdale. Altos Labs, another rejuvenation company, drew $3 billion — the largest single investment in the sector.

Why longevity attracts capital

For many backers, the motivations are deeply personal. Vinod Khosla, another major investor, has said he wants 70-year-olds to feel like 40-year-olds. Entrepreneur Naveen Jain launched Viome Life Sciences after his father’s death from pancreatic cancer, personally investing $30 million to pursue personalized nutrition. Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel invested in fasting-mimicking diet research after trying it himself. As Khosla put it: “At 70, someone should feel like a 40-year-old.”

Big risks and high-profile failures

Despite the enthusiasm, many ventures have stumbled. Unity Biotechnology raised $355 million to develop anti-aging drugs but was delisted from Nasdaq and is now dissolving. BioAge Labs, which went public in 2024 to pursue obesity treatments, had to halt one trial over safety issues before launching another program. Analysts warn that, while longevity science is advancing, the path to real medical breakthroughs is still uncertain, and many companies may not survive.

A growing ecosystem of science and celebrity

The sector now includes more than 200 startups and nonprofits with nearly 1,000 investors, raising $12.5 billion overall. Alongside billionaires, celebrities like Kevin Hart and Matt Damon have invested in startups such as Function Health, which markets lifestyle and lab-test guidance. Influential figures like Harvard geneticist David Sinclair, physician Peter Attia, and entrepreneur Bryan Johnson — known for spending $1 million a year on self-experiments — have amplified public interest.

Three main approaches to longevity

Longevity companies tend to focus on three areas: reversing or slowing cellular aging, treating diseases linked to aging, and selling lifestyle products like supplements and health trackers. Rejuvenation startups such as Altos and Retro have attracted the most money, about $5 billion.

Nearly $5 billion more has gone into biotechs tackling age-related diseases. Another $2.6 billion has flowed into consumer-facing businesses offering anti-aging regimens, data-driven health monitoring and cosmetics.

The billionaires bankrolling longevity research are reshaping science and sparking debate about who will benefit if breakthroughs arrive. While critics see hype and public-relations gloss, investors argue that every extra year of healthy life justifies the risk. Whether the promise of living to 150 is realistic or not, the money and attention pouring into the field guarantee that the pursuit of longer lives will remain a defining obsession of the 21st century.