Shenzhen-Based Lonvi Biosciences Develops Grape Seed Extract Pill Targeting Human Lifespan Extension to 150 Years

The Chinese biotechnology startup Lonvi Biosciences, headquartered in Shenzhen, is actively pursuing the development of an oral pharmaceutical designed to dramatically increase the human lifespan, potentially pushing it toward the ambitious target of 150 years. This experimental tablet centers on Procyanidin C1 (PCC1), a naturally occurring compound meticulously isolated from grape seed extract. Preclinical investigations have indicated that PCC1 possesses the remarkable ability to selectively eliminate senescent cells—often colloquially termed “zombie cells.” These dysfunctional cells cease dividing but persistently secrete inflammatory substances, such as cytokines and chemokines, thereby accelerating degenerative processes throughout the body and contributing significantly to age-related diseases.

Lonvi Biosciences Chief Technology Officer, Liu Qinghua, expressed strong confidence that reaching the age of 150 could become a tangible reality in the near future, provided this novel therapy is integrated with a healthy lifestyle and state-of-the-art medical care. The initial research findings, derived from laboratory mice, demonstrated a measurable increase in the rodents' average lifespan by 9.4%. Furthermore, when the therapeutic intervention commenced at a later stage in the animals' lives, this longevity metric soared significantly, registering an impressive increase of 64.2%. These compelling data points, which have also been corroborated by independent Japanese researchers, form the crucial foundation for advancing the project.

The pioneering work undertaken by Lonvi Biosciences reflects a broader national trend within the People's Republic of China, where the burgeoning field of longevity science has recently attracted substantial financial backing from both state entities and private investors. Gan Yu, co-founder of the Shanghai-based company Time Pie, highlighted a notable shift in public interest and investment patterns. While the focus on life extension research was historically concentrated predominantly in the United States, affluent Chinese citizens are now aggressively channeling capital into this burgeoning area, seeking cutting-edge solutions closer to home. Ip Zhuo, the Chief Executive Officer of Lonvi Biosciences, characterized the potential drug, which aims to reverse cellular aging, as nothing less than the “Holy Grail” in the realm of gerontology research.

Despite the widespread optimism surrounding these preliminary findings, the scientific community maintains a measured and cautious perspective. Professor of Gerontology Li Weiming emphasized that the results announced thus far remain preliminary. He stressed the absolute necessity of conducting extensive, multi-year clinical trials involving human subjects to unequivocally confirm both the safety profile and the efficacy of the treatment. For their part, company representatives have confirmed that the immediate next phase involves organizing and initiating these large-scale studies with volunteer participants.

This push for radical longevity occurs against the backdrop of China's current demographic situation. In 2024, the average life expectancy in China reached 79 years. While this figure comfortably surpasses the global average, it still trails behind Japan, which boasts an average life expectancy of 85 years, underscoring the ongoing challenges and opportunities in public health and aging research globally.