Good Morning,
Welcome to this week’s exploration of the financial engines driving longevity advancements worldwide.
From Lululemon’s founder Chip Wilson leveraging his resources against a rare muscle ailment to the expansive investment vistas revealed by the rising global elderly population and Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-dollar bet on prolonging life—this digest offers a panoramic view of how deep pockets and high hopes are intertwined in the longevity landscape. As we traverse these narratives, we’ll delve into the ambitions, endeavors, and innovations that spotlight the future of health and longevity investments.
Let’s get started…
Lululemon Founder’s Longevity Fight (Business Insider)
Chip Wilson, renowned founder of Lululemon, is channeling $100 million from his substantial fortune into conquering a rare muscle-wasting disease he’s battled for decades. Diagnosed in 1987 with the uncommon facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD2) variant, which afflicts a mere 43,000 globally, Wilson has faced progressive muscle loss.
Fast forward to 2022, and he established the philanthropic venture, Solve FSHD, striving to unearth a cure by 2027. Already, $31 million has been invested in pioneering biotech solutions, emphasizing therapies for FSHD2. Simultaneously, Wilson pursues alternative treatments, including electroacupuncture and specialized enzyme IV drips. His conviction? Wealthy entrepreneurs, leveraging their vast resources and a results-driven approach, can accelerate medical breakthroughs in ways that traditional entities might not.
A Broad Investment Opportunity, Longevity (Julius Baer)
Longevity’s surge in the global population offers fresh investment horizons, according to Dr. Damien Ng of Next Gen Insights. With the global populace predicted to hit 9.7 billion by 2050 and a significant increase in those aged 65 and above, sectors like leisure and wellness, beauty, elder care, nutrition, and financial planning are poised for growth.
Notably, 85% of U.S. adults over 50 earmark travel as their top discretionary spend. While the beauty industry flourishes at an impressive $420 billion, the cruise sector witnesses a resurgence, especially among older patrons. Despite short-term challenges like inflation and drug pricing, the aging demographic paves the way for expansive investment opportunities in diverse sectors.
The Ever-Flowing Tap of Longevity Investment? (Forbes)
During a visit to Saudi Arabia in 2022, Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, was struck by the nation’s transformation.. Part of this change is Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision of enhancing longevity in the Kingdom as a national priority.
An essential player in this journey is the Hevolution Foundation, backed with up to $1 billion annually from the Saudi government. Dedicated to aging research and therapies, the foundation’s leadership includes Dr. Mehmood Khan, former Vice Chairman of PepsiCo, and longevity biotech expert, and Dr. Felipe Sierra, a key figure in the aging biology realm. With Saudi Vision 2030 emphasizing healthcare, AI, and education, the Kingdom’s push into longevity research could lead to transformative outcomes for global health.
In this week’s exploration, we’ve observed how both personal ambition and national visions can profoundly influence the longevity landscape.
From individuals leveraging wealth to combat specific health challenges, to broad market opportunities shaped by shifting global demographics, and nations channeling vast resources to position longevity at the forefront—it’s clear that the fusion of finance, innovation, and commitment holds transformative promise for the future of health and wellness. As the longevity sector continues to evolve, these diverse catalysts serve as a testament to its boundless potential.
Until our next journey,
The Longr Reads Team
“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Warren Buffett, Investor
Longr Reads’ of the Week
- Andrew Huberman Lab Podcast w/ Dr Peter Attia (Youtube)
- Some claim human lifespans can be lengthened indefinitely (The Economist)
- Longevity Clinics: What They Are, Services & More (Spannr)