Recently, it's become increasingly acknowledged that directly targeting the aging process, as opposed to individual aging-related diseases or symptoms, is a viable strategy (Magalhães et al., 2017). This is leading to R&D with the ultimate aim of commercializing therapies directed at slowing aging itself.

One of the more popular areas of research involves senolytics — a class of drugs that target and destroy aging (or senescent) cells. These drugs are in the early stages of development and might be approved by the FDA to be prescribed to target a specific condition or disease, and would carry the secondary impact of slowing down aging. Some, (notably, Unity Biotechnology, the >$200M startup) are betting large on the success of senolytics.

According to a research report by CBINSIGHTS, around $800M was invested in longevity startups in 2018 (see specifically this chart). This was the result of several large deals (such as UNITY Biotechnology series B, Insilico Medicine series A, and a deal by AgeX Therapeutics).

Even more impressive was Sumumed's 2018 fundraising campaign, which raised a total of $438M.

Will total funding in longevity startups worldwide exceed $5bn in the year ending in November 2nd, 2020 (i.e. from November 2nd, 2019 to November 2nd 2020)?

This question resolves positively if credible reports indicate that $5000M or more has been invested through seed stage and mid stage funding rounds, in longevity startups in the year ending in November 2nd, 2020, according to data from crunchbase or other sources of venture capital and angel investment financing information. Mergers and acquisitions shall not count as investment for the purpose of this question.

Companies are considered working on "longevity" if these are on AgingBiotech.Info's list. If these are not on the list, an admin should decide whether the company is primarily focussed on the research and development of longevity enhancing therapeutics.