Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has reportedly invested in a newly-formed startup aimed toward reversing the method of organic ageing.
Altos Labs, based earlier this yr by Russian billionaire Yuri Milner, has already employed a number of main longevity scientists so as to develop a radical type of organic reprogramming know-how that will rejuvenate cells and permit people to reside as much as 50 years longer.
Mr Bezos, who turned 57 this yr, is among the many firm’s early traders, based on insiders chatting with MIT Expertise Evaluate.
The Amazon founder is at present the world’s richest individual with an estimated internet value of $201 billion, based on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
“The philosophy of Altos Labs is to do curiosity-driven analysis. That is what I understand how to do and like to do,” Altos researcher Manuel Serrano informed Technology Review.
“On this case, by means of a personal firm, we have now the liberty to be daring and discover… The purpose is to know rejuvenation. I might say the concept of getting income sooner or later is there, however it’s not the speedy objective.”
Dr Serrano’s earlier analysis contains genetically engineering mice to reverse their organic age. The experiments have been profitable in reverting the mice’s cells to an embryonic stage however all of them developed tumours.
Different researchers concerned within the mission embrace joint Nobel Prize-winning Shinya Yamanaka, who developed the breakthrough reprogramming approach.
“Though there are lots of hurdles to beat, there may be enormous potential,” Dr Yamanaka mentioned.
Mr Bezos beforehand invested in Unity Biotechnology, an anti-ageing firm, and stepped down from his position as CEO of Amazon in July to give attention to “different passions”.
In a resignation letter to Amazon workers in February, he wrote: “I’ve by no means had extra power, and this isn’t about retiring. I’m tremendous passionate in regards to the influence I feel these organisations can have.”
Mr Bezos’ funding workplace Bezos Expeditions didn’t reply to a request for remark in regards to the enterprise.
