Longevity escape velocity is the idea that our life expectancy (and healthspan) increases faster than the passing of time.
Will this happen soon? The more time I have spent in the aging science field the more I am optimistic about our chances for this happening in the next few decades.
There are many tailwinds, and of course headwinds. There are three horizons of anti-aging therapies: horizon 1 are lifestyle improvements already available, horizon 2 are new repair therapies coming soon, and horizon 3 are cellular rejuvenation technologies in development.
AI/ML + big biological data means progress is now exponential. Already, AI/ML is becoming an equal partner in biological research. Soon, it will be the driver.
We are spending more than ever on R&D (2x growth in the U.S. in constant dollars from 2010 to 2021). We are rapidly growing our spend on general venture capital and biotech venture capital. Much of this investment will ultimately go towards helping people live longer and healthier. Our aging population will demand this.
What can we do to bring this future?
I believe it's mostly inevitable, but that we should work to speed it up. To make it happen faster, we need our first anti-aging drug wins. We need FDA approvals for safe, effective drugs that target diseases of aging. Even better, we need rejuvenation therapies (that's what we're working on at Junevity). We need people to see and feel the benefit in their grandparents, parents, and themselves. We need to look in the mirror and see it happening. We need to be inspired. This will drive even more money and talent to create even better rejuvenation therapies.
Stay healthy so you live long enough to participate in this fantastic future. Support R&D funding and startup/pharma development. Invest your time, money, and talent in horizons 1, 2, or 3.