In Saudi Arabia, the Hevolution Foundation is Reshaping Ageing Research

Introduction

In a phase where global life expectancy is projected to rise from 73.6 years in 2022 to 78.1 years by 2050, the focus is shifting from merely extending lifespan to enhancing healthspan – the number of years lived in good health. At the forefront of this paradigm shift is Hevolution Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With an unprecedented commitment of up to $1 billion annually, Hevolution Foundation is transforming the field of ageing research.

The Global Economics of Ageing

The demographic shifts on the horizon underscore the urgency of Hevolution’s mission. By 2050, the population over 60 years worldwide will double to 2 billion. This means one-fifth of the world’s population will exceed this age threshold. Most importantly, low and middle-income countries will house 80% of this older population. This presents a unique challenge to their healthcare systems and economies. 

In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates annual costs of $305 billion for Alzheimer’s disease, $237 billion for diabetes, $216 billion for heart disease and stroke, and $140 billion for arthritis. These figures exclude broader economic impacts and lost productivity.

Hevolution’s Impact on Ageing Healthcare

In just two years, Hevolution has committed approximately $400 million toward the geroscience field, becoming the largest philanthropic funder in this space globally. This influx of capital is addressing a critical gap in the research ecosystem.

Hevolution’s investments span a wide range, from supporting individual researchers to funding major institutions. For example, $27 million has been allocated for nine innovative projects deemed meritorious by the U.S. National Institute on Aging. These projects explore areas such as mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetics. Moreover, $20 million has been granted to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine for research on senescence and ageing. Northwestern University received $32.4 million for studies on proteostasis in ageing, and The Buck Institute for Research on Aging secured $21 million for a multi-year partnership.

Connecting and Collaborating

Beyond direct research funding, Hevolution is also working to expand the field’s talent pool. Initiatives like the $5.2 million grant program to create the first cohort of ageing researchers in Saudi Arabia and the $5 million Postdoctoral Training in Geroscience program aim to nurture the next generation of geroscience experts.

The foundation strategically invested in biotech companies such as Aeovian Pharmaceuticals. It contributed $20 million to promote therapies that target the mTORC1 biological pathway. Hevolution has initiated a partnership with XPRIZE. They launched the Healthspan global competition with a $101 million prize. This competition, one of the largest in XPRIZE history, challenges teams to create therapeutics targeting biological ageing. 

Ensuring Equitable Access

The scientific advancements in ageing research raise important ethical questions about access and affordability. Hevolution’s commitment to accessibility is integral to its investment strategy. Every investment includes a condition around scalability. This focus on democratising healthspan technologies is crucial for benefiting all of humanity, not just those in wealthy nations.

New Horizons and Opportunities

Despite the progress made, significant hurdles remain. The regulatory landscape for ageing-related treatments is still evolving, with no clear pathway for approval of interventions that target ageing itself rather than specific diseases. Hevolution is actively engaging with policymakers to address these challenges and continues to advocate for a more supportive regulatory environment that recognises the clinical validity of ‘pre-disease’ states and new biomarkers. Saudi Arabia has an emerging centre of expertise, and others around the world are following suit.

Conclusion

The Hevolution Foundation’s ambitious mission reveals its broader implications. Extending healthspan isn’t just a scientific pursuit, but a societal necessity with vast economic, ethical, and social impacts. For investors, policymakers, and the general public, the message is clear. We no longer have to accept ageing as an unchangeable fact of life. Instead, it’s a scientific innovation frontier with huge potential for impact.