A new frontier in medicine is emerging with the development of anti-ageing drugs that could extend not only lifespan but also healthspan — the number of years we live free from disease. Once the stuff of science fiction, the idea of slowing the ageing process is now backed by rigorous, peer-reviewed research and clinical trials.
Scientists are focusing on drugs that target the biological hallmarks of ageing, such as genetic mutations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the accumulation of senescent cells — those that no longer divide and contribute to inflammation and tissue damage. In animal studies, drugs like procyanidin C1, quercetin, dasatinib, and rapamycin have shown the ability to eliminate these cells, improving physical function and extending life, even when administered late in life.
One of the most promising candidates is metformin, a widely used diabetes drug. A UK study involving over 150,000 people suggested that diabetics on metformin lived longer than non-diabetics not taking the drug. This led to the Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) trial, which is currently enrolling 3,000 healthy adults aged 65 to 80 to test whether the drug can delay the onset of multiple age-related diseases.
Other trials are underway to test senolytic drugs and rapamycin in both humans and dogs. The Dog Aging Project, for example, is exploring how rapamycin might extend canine lifespans — a model that could inform human treatments.
However, challenges remain. Regulatory bodies like the US FDA do not currently recognise ageing as a treatable condition, complicating drug approval. Funding is another barrier. Pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to invest in trials for generic or off-patent drugs, and government agencies are hesitant to fund studies outside conventional disease models.
Despite these hurdles, the potential economic and social benefits are vast. Even a modest increase in healthspan could save trillions globally by reducing healthcare costs and keeping people productive for longer. As President Donald Trump’s administration continues to prioritise innovation in healthcare, the push for anti-ageing therapies may gain further momentum.
With a shift from reactive to preventative medicine on the horizon, anti-ageing drugs could soon become as commonplace as statins — prescribed not just to treat illness, but to prevent it altogether.
