Human Longevity Inc. Launched to Promote Healthy Ageing Using Advances in Genomics and Stem Cell Therapies

Human Longevity Inc. (HLI), a genomics and cell therapy-based diagnostic and therapeutic company focused on extending the healthy, high performance human life span, has been announced by co-founders J. Craig Venter, PhD, Robert Hariri, MD, PhD, and Peter H. Diamandis, MD.

The company, headquartered in San Diego, California, is being capitalized with an initial $70 million in investor funding.

HLI's funding is being used to build the largest human sequencing operation in the world to compile the most comprehensive and complete human genotype, microbiome, and phenotype database available to tackle the diseases associated with ageing-related human biological decline. HLI is also leading the development of cell-based therapeutics to address age-related decline in endogenous stem cell function. Revenue streams will be derived from database licensing to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic organisations, sequencing, and development of advanced diagnostics and therapeutics.

"Using the combined power of our core areas of expertise — genomics, informatics, and stem cell therapies, we are tackling one of the greatest medical/scientific and societal challenges — ageing and ageing related diseases," said Dr Venter. "HLI is going to change the way medicine is practiced by helping to shift to a more preventive, genomic-based medicine model which we believe will lower healthcare costs. Our goal is not necessarily lengthening life, but extending a healthier, high performing, more productive life span."

HLI has initially purchased two Illumina HiSeq X Ten Sequencing Systems (with the option to acquire three additional systems) to sequence up to 40,000 human genomes per year, with plans to rapidly scale to 100,000 human genomes per year. HLI will sequence a variety of humans — children, adults and super centenarians and those with disease and those that are healthy.

HLI is uniquely positioned to identify therapeutic solutions to preserve the healthy, high performing body by focusing on some of the most prevalent and actionable areas. HLI is concentrating on cancer, diabetes and obesity, heart and liver diseases, and dementia with its team of expert scientists and clinicians. The company has established strategic collaborations with Metabolon Inc., University of California, San Diego, and the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI).

HLI is focusing its initial clinical sequencing efforts on cancer. While many are tackling this area using gene sequencing and other advanced technologies, there has not been a comprehensive clinical effort to combine germ line, human genome and tumour genome sequencing along with comprehensive biochemical information from each patient.

For more information, click here.