Why Most Longevity Research Fails and 4 Drug Classes That Actually Work
Dr. Brad Stanfield exposes critical flaws in longevity research that have cost investors hundreds of millions. Using examples like resveratrol's $720 million failure and ovarian stem cell research collapse, he demonstrates how premature scaling of unvalidated findings creates a reproducibility crisis. The solution involves building on solid foundations through programs like the Interventions Testing Program, which tests compounds across multiple labs simultaneously. Stanfield then highlights four promising medication classes with robust evidence: SGLT2 inhibitors (extending male mouse lifespan 14%), rapamycin (17-25% lifespan extension), GLP-1 medications for metabolic health, and PCSK9 inhibitors for cardiovascular protection. He also discusses emerging non-ablative skin devices for aging reversal. The key message: validate interventions thoroughly before scaling, avoiding hype-driven investments that burn capital and damage field credibility.