When you start describing the many individuals and companies working to improve the human lifespan, the phrase “longevity industry” can sound a little mercenary. It summons images of bigwigs in suits trying to make money off of human aging and the diseases associated with it. Of course, you can’t make major medical and scientific innovations without money, and luckily, investment in longevity is on the rise.
A recent report (https://longevity.technology/news/global-longevity-investment-hit-5-2-billion-in-2022/) looked at data from 2013 to the present, examined the current state of investment in the industry and considered its general prospects for the future. The results were promising. Overall investment stood at $5.2 billion.
Now, as impressive as it sounds, it’s not the highest figure on record. That honor goes to 2021, with investment of $6.2 billion overall. Compared to the $3.0 billion in 2020, however, there does seem to be a sustained increase (77% over two years), and the fact that the figures have been so high two years in a row is a good sign. The total in 2022 was spread over 130 deals, while 2021 saw 190.
Biotech didn’t do as well in the same time period. Neither did fintech. And it does seem that investors are being more selective and not taking quite the same risk. Despite all that, longevity drugs, longevity discovery platforms, gene therapies and renewal therapies (including cellular reprogramming, regeneration and rejuvenation) were all big deals, especially in the US.
Support for longevity science is coming from all directions. It’s not just the traditional niche investors but more mainstream names, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Regular investment banks are starting to consider that longevity goals are actually realistic, not just a pipe dream. Politicians are beginning to take an interest. Major pharmaceutical companies are staking their claim to corners of the market. Some parties are testing whether cryptocurrency can help with decentralization. And we should never underestimate the influence of the individual searching to improve their own personal longevity.
Economic forecasts are tricky things at the best of times, so we can never say for sure exactly what’s going to happen next in the longevity industry, but looking closely at recent developments does suggest a direction of travel. That direction suggests more investment and more clinical breakthroughs, and not just in biotech. Increased popularity does present new challenges, but it’s also strengthening the sector significantly.
