As the global population continues to get older, the popularity of anti-aging stocks is rising in tandem thanks to advancements in technology and a growing body of research on human longevity.
The desire to increase life quality and expectancy is what drives the top anti-aging stocks in the life science space as they pursue technologies and therapies aimed at slowing the aging process and preserving health.
As Deloitte points out, these companies are gaining traction — the top 50 longevity stocks had raised more than US$1 billion in venture funding as of 2020, and the research firm expects the sector to develop into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Below is a brief overview of five anti-aging stocks on the NYSE and NASDAQ. Only companies with market caps between US$50 million and US$500 million were considered for the list, and all figures were current as of August 5, 2023.
1. Acumen Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ABOS)
Market cap: US$421.94 million
Acumen Pharmaceuticals is leveraging its expertise in amyloid-beta oligomers to develop Alzheimer’s disease treatments. The clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company’s lead therapeutic candidate, ACU193, is an anti-amyloid-beta oligomer (ABO) monoclonal antibody. Toxic ABOs are early and persistent drivers of the neurodegeneration that leads to Alzheimer’s. ACU193 is designed to prevent toxic ABOs from damaging neuronal function.
Acumen published positive top-line results from its Phase 1 clinical trial of ACU193 for patients with early Alzheimer’s disease in July. The company is now working with regulators to consider initiating a Phase 2/3 clinical trial.
2. MeiraGTx Holdings (NASDAQ:MGTX)
Market cap: US$292.85 million
Clinical-stage gene therapy company MeiraGTx Holdings is leveraging its gene therapy manufacturing capabilities and transformative gene-regulation platform to develop treatments for patients with serious conditions, including age-related diseases. The company’s pipeline features six clinical trial programs, including a few that are targeting degenerative ocular diseases and Parkinson’s disease. MeiraGTx also has a preclinical program for ALS.
In May 2022, the company filed an investigational new drug application for its potential Parkinson’s disease treatment using material manufactured at its facility in London, England. In November 2022, dosing of patients in a Phase 1 trial was initiated; enrolment is expected to be completed by 2023’s third quarter.
3. Lineage Cell Therapeutics (NYSEAMERICAN:LCTX)
Market cap: US$246.4 million
Lineage Cell Therapeutics works in the fields of regenerative medicine, human embryonic stem cell technology and induced pluripotent stem cell technology. It develops therapies that are based on stem cell biology and are intended to rebuild cell and tissue function lost due to degenerative diseases and injury.
One of the company’s stem cell programs is OpRegen, which is a cell-replacement therapy to treat advanced dry age-related macular degeneration. The disease, which currently has no cure, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in adults over 50. OpRegen is currently in Phase 2a clinical trials.
4. Longeveron (NASDAQ:LGVN)
Market cap: US$71.17 million
Longeveron is developing regenerative medicines for chronic and life-threatening aging-related conditions. Its lead investigational product, Lomecel-B, is an allogeneic medicinal signaling cell therapy product that is isolated from the bone marrow of young adult donors. Lomecel-B has a broad range of potential applications across a number of disease areas.
So far in 2023, the clinical-stage biotech company has made progress in advancing Lomecel-B across three clinical programs: hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease and aging-related frailty.
5. MyMD Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:MYMD)
Market cap: US$69.35 million
MyMD Pharmaceuticals is developing novel therapies for age-related diseases, autoimmune disorders and inflammatory conditions. Its lead investigational candidate is MYMD-1, an orally available next-generation tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor with the potential to treat inflammatory and autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system.
MyMD has completed Phase 2 studies of MYMD-1 for age-related frailty, which is also called sarcopenia. The clinical-stage pharma company recently said that MYMD-1 has the potential to be the first drug for sarcopenia to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. MyMD is planning to initiate discussions with the agency soon regarding a Phase 3 study of MYMD-1.
FAQs for longevity and anti-aging
Will we be able to reverse aging in the future?
While research on reverse aging is growing, a recent article in Popular Science throws cold water on those dreaming of turning back the clock on their bodies. Studies on reversing age have mostly focused on aging mice — not humans — and Popular Science says research on humans will be necessary to see promise in this field.
Which billionaire is trying to reverse aging?
While not a billionaire, Tech CEO Bryan Johnson is reportedly spending up to US$2 million per year on medical tests and various procedures aimed at reversing his body’s natural aging process. However, longevity experts don’t think he has discovered the proverbial fountain of youth.
What is the latest anti-aging cell technology?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to cut the time and effort required by researchers to identify anti-aging cell technology. Biotech firm Integrated Biosciences is combining synthetic biology and AI to discover a new class of small molecules known as senolytic compounds. They may be able to stave off conditions such as fibrosis, inflammation and cancer.
What is the Spannr Longevity Stock Index?
Launched in August 2022, the Spannr Longevity Stock Index consists of publicly traded US companies that are focused on anti-aging or extending healthy human lifespans.
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.