Jeff Bezos's Multimillion-dollar Bet to Stop Aging: How Much Did He Invest?

Since its creation in 2021, Altos Labs positioned itself as one of the most promising startups in the field of biotechnology. Its goal is to study cellular reprogramming to slow down aging and prevent age-related diseases.

In just one year, the company received more than 3 billion dollars in investments. One of the main contributors is Jeff Bezos, who allocated a substantial amount to the project. His interest in extending human life is not new: the magnate had already funded research in the area of longevity.

What is cellular reprogramming and how can it extend life?

The technique Altos Labs is working on is based on biological reprogramming. This is a procedure developed in 2006 by Japanese scientist Shinya Yamanaka, who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2012.

This method allows adult cells to return to a pluripotent state, similar to that of stem cells. This opens up the possibility of regenerating damaged tissues and treating diseases associated with aging.

An elite team with Nobel laureates

Altos Labs has a team of renowned scientists, including several Nobel Prize winners:

• Frances Arnold (Chemistry, 2018)
• Jennifer Doudna (Chemistry, 2020)
• David Baltimore (Medicine, 1975)
• Shinya Yamanaka (Medicine, 2012)

The company emphasizes that its goal is not just to extend life, but to improve its quality. "We want to transform medicine by restoring cellular health," stated Rick Klausner, co-chair of the Board of Directors.

Animal testing and the future of research

Altos Labs has already started tests on animals to evaluate the effectiveness of cellular reprogramming. Researchers aim to genetically manipulate the cells of mice and other species in the hope of reversing aging.

Although there are no concrete timelines for obtaining results yet, the company plans to expand outside of the United States and the United Kingdom. Among the possible new locations is Japan, where biotechnology applied to longevity generates great interest.

Bezos has spoken on several occasions about his interest in extending human life. It has been reported that the entrepreneur contributed more than 200 million dollars to the company.