Brian Armstrong’s NewLimit Secures Astonishing $130M for Age Reversal Biotech

In a move that bridges the world of cryptocurrency with cutting-edge science, Brian Armstrong, the well-known CEO of Coinbase, is making significant waves in the biotech sector. His startup, NewLimit, focused on developing treatments to reverse the effects of aging, has just announced a substantial funding round, signaling strong investor confidence in its ambitious goal of extending healthy human lifespan.

What is NewLimit and Why the Buzz?

Founded over four years ago by Brian Armstrong, former GV partner Blake Bryers, and stem cell professor Jacob Kimmel, NewLimit is not your typical crypto venture. Instead, it operates at the frontier of genetic reprogramming, aiming to revitalize aged cells and restore their youthful functions. The company believes it can increase how long people live a healthy life by manipulating cellular genetics.

The recent buzz surrounds their impressive Series B funding round, which successfully raised $130 million. This follows a $40 million Series A two years prior, demonstrating accelerated progress and growing investor interest. The round was led by prominent venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, with participation from notable investors like Nat Friedman, Daniel Gross, Khosla Ventures, Founders Fund, Dimension Capital, Elad Gil, and Patrick Collison.

Progress Towards Age Reversal

NewLimit claims to have made considerable strides in its research. Blake Bryers shared insights into their progress, revealing the discovery of three prototype medicines specifically designed to reprogram liver cells. Lab experiments reportedly show that this rejuvenation process can restore the cells’ ability to process fat and alcohol, mirroring the function of younger cells.

How do they measure this? Bryers explained they compare how cells from younger and older individuals respond to substances. An older liver cell treated with NewLimit’s epigenetic reprogramming techniques begins to behave more like a younger cell.

Leveraging AI in Biotech

A key component of NewLimit’s strategy is the integration of artificial intelligence into their drug discovery process. While human trials are still several years away, the company is actively developing new anti-aging medicines using an AI model.

This AI model allows NewLimit to simulate numerous experiments computationally, drastically narrowing down the potential candidates. Only the most promising machine-generated drugs are then moved to laboratory testing. Data gathered from these lab experiments is fed back into the AI model, refining its capabilities in a process dubbed a ‘lab in a loop’. This approach significantly accelerates the identification of potential treatments for age reversal.

The Road Ahead and the Competitive Landscape

Despite the promising early results, NewLimit acknowledges that the path to human trials is still long, estimated to be a few years away. The current focus remains on leveraging AI and lab research to identify and develop more effective treatments.

NewLimit operates in an increasingly competitive field. Other well-funded startups are also tackling the challenge of extending lifespan through biotech. Notably, Retro Biosciences, backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, raised $180 million and is reportedly seeking a $1 billion Series A. Altos Labs, which launched with an impressive $3 billion in 2022, also counts prominent figures like Jeff Bezos among its backers. This highlights the significant capital and talent flowing into the longevity space.

Why is Brian Armstrong Investing in Age Reversal?

For readers primarily interested in crypto, Brian Armstrong‘s involvement in NewLimit might seem like a departure. However, it reflects a trend among tech billionaires to invest wealth and resources into ambitious, long-term projects addressing fundamental human challenges, such as health and longevity. It demonstrates a diversification of interests beyond the core crypto business, focusing on potentially transformative scientific breakthroughs that could have profound impacts on society.

Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Future

NewLimit’s successful $130 million funding round is a significant milestone in the pursuit of age reversal. Backed by prominent investors and led by figures like Brian Armstrong, the company is pushing the boundaries of biotech and AI to develop treatments that could fundamentally alter the human experience by extending healthy life. While the journey is still in its early stages, the progress reported by NewLimit offers a compelling glimpse into a future where cellular rejuvenation and enhanced longevity might become realities.

To learn more about the latest AI trends, explore our article on key developments shaping AI features.