Cardiologist Dr Eric Topol's daily routine: the 70 year-old super ager wakes at 5:30am and hasn't eaten red meat for 40 years
AI has also become an increasingly big part of my day to day at work, mostly for research. It's been really helpful to promote individualised medicine in the field, as it can use many layers of data to forecast what a patient would need to do to stay healthy. This has been a revelation, showing people who are at risk how to help avoid type 2 diabetes and potentially preventing major diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer in the future.
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Malaysian Reserve
2 hours ago
- Malaysian Reserve
Statement from the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation on the Passing of ADDF Co-Founder and Co-Chairman Leonard A. Lauder
The Lauder Family's Vision and Catalytic Funding Through the ADDF Helped Seed and Transform the Alzheimer's Research Landscape NEW YORK, June 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — It is with deep sorrow and profound admiration that the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) shares the passing of Co-Founder and Chairman, Leonard A. Lauder. A visionary philanthropist, cosmetics industry icon, and steadfast champion in the fight against Alzheimer's disease, Lauder's legacy is woven into the very fabric of the ADDF and the progress it has driven toward understanding, treating, and ultimately curing Alzheimer's. 'Leonard Lauder was a once-in-a-generation visionary whose leadership, along with his brother Ronald, reshaped the Alzheimer's research landscape,' said Dr. Howard Fillit, Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF. 'From the very beginning, Leonard understood that Alzheimer's does not just impact the patient, it affects entire families. The Lauder family recognized the emotional, financial, and societal toll of this disease, and built the ADDF to accelerate the discovery and development of treatments that could change the trajectory for patients and their loved ones. Leonard's vision, generosity, and humanity spanned across his business acumen to his philanthropic endeavors, touching countless lives, and his legacy will endure in every breakthrough we help bring forward.' Lauder and his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, co-founded the ADDF in 1998 with Dr. Fillit in honor of their mother, Estee Lauder's, battle with Alzheimer's. At a time when Alzheimer's research funding was sparse and interest from the private sector limited, the Lauder family recognized the urgent need for treatments and created a bold new venture philanthropy model to achieve this mission, combining the rigor of scientific research with the agility and entrepreneurialism of venture capital. For over more than 27 years, the Lauders' leadership helped shape the ADDF into the world's leading philanthropic funder of drug discovery and development research. Under the Lauders' guidance, the ADDF has: Invested more than $370 million into over 765 drug discovery programs across 21 countries Catalyzed more than $3 billion in follow-on funding from pharmaceutical companies, venture capital firms, and government agencies, helping to de-risk early-stage science and attract broader investment into Alzheimer's research Played a pivotal role in the development of the first biomarkers for Alzheimer's by providing early seed funding for Amyvid, the first FDA-approved PET scan for Alzheimer's; PrecivityAD, the first Alzheimer's blood test to market; and Lumipulse, the first Alzheimer's blood test to receive FDA approval Established the Diagnostics Accelerator (DxA) in partnership with Bill Gates and other visionary philanthropists to advance affordable, accessible diagnostic tools, a critical step toward earlier detection and intervention Advanced a diverse pipeline of treatments by pioneering the biology of aging approach, now central to the field, with over 70% of drugs targeting disease pathways such as inflammation, neuroprotection, vascular health, and synaptic function, paving the way for Alzheimer's to be treated with combination therapy and precision medicine, as in cancer Brought forward a precision prevention approach, combining lifestyle interventions and therapeutics to slow the progression or prevent the onset of Alzheimer's altogether Through all these achievements, Lauder and his family remained deeply committed to the ADDF's mission. 'Leonard's impact on the ADDF, and on the field of Alzheimer's research more broadly, is immeasurable,' said Mark Roithmayr, Chief Executive Officer of the ADDF. 'He brought a sense of urgency to this work that pushed us all to do more and move faster. He believed that patients and families deserve better and he committed himself fully to building a world in which effective treatments are not only possible, but inevitable. His leadership, his generosity, and his humanity will continue to guide the ADDF's mission every day.' Lauder's impact extended across business, culture, and philanthropy. Yet for those who worked alongside him at the ADDF, he will be remembered most for his compassion, clarity of purpose, and unwavering belief in progress. He understood that Alzheimer's is a deeply human and societal challenge, one affecting memory, identity, and dignity. The ADDF honors Lauder's legacy by reaffirming our commitment to conquer Alzheimer's for the millions of patients and families living with this devastating disease. About The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)Founded in 1998 by Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation is dedicated to rapidly accelerating the discovery of drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease. The ADDF is the only public charity solely focused on funding the development of drugs for Alzheimer's, employing a venture philanthropy model to support research in academia and the biotech industry. The ADDF's leadership and contributions to the field have played a pivotal role in bringing the first Alzheimer's PET scan (Amyvid®) and blood test (PrecivityAD®) to market, as well as fueling the current robust and diverse drug pipeline. Through the generosity of its donors, the ADDF has awarded more than $370 million to fund 765 Alzheimer's drug discovery programs, biomarker programs and clinical trials in 21 countries. To learn more, please visit:
Business Wire
7 hours ago
- Business Wire
Cosmetics Industry Icon Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus, The Estée Lauder Companies, Passes Away
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--It is with deep sadness that The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) announces that Chairman Emeritus Leonard A. Lauder passed away on June 14, at the age of 92, surrounded by family. Mr. Lauder was born in 1933 in New York City, the oldest son of Estée and Joseph H. Lauder, the founders of The Estée Lauder Companies. He was a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and the Officer Candidate School of the United States Navy. Mr. Lauder studied at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and as a Navy reservist, for which the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation later recognized him with its Distinguished Alumni Award. He formally joined Estée Lauder in 1958, and for more than six decades, Mr. Lauder was a visionary and an innovator, helping transform the business from a handful of products sold under a single brand in U.S. stores to the multi-brand, global leader in prestige beauty that it is today. 'Throughout his life, my father worked tirelessly to build and transform the beauty industry, pioneering many of the innovations, trends, and best practices that are foundational to the industry today,' said William P. Lauder, son and Chair, Board of Directors, The Estée Lauder Companies. 'He was the most charitable man I have ever known, believing that art and education belonged to everyone, and championing the fight against diseases such as Alzheimer's and breast cancer. Above all, my father was a man who practiced kindness with everyone he met. His impact was enormous. He believed that employees were the heart and soul of our company, and they adored him and moments spent with him. His warmth and thoughtfulness made an imprint on our company, the industry, and, of course, our family. Together with my family, The Estée Lauder Companies, and the countless people he touched, we celebrate his extraordinary life.' Mr. Lauder served as President of The Estée Lauder Companies from 1972 to 1995 and as Chief Executive Officer from 1982 through 1999. He was named Chairman in 1995 and served in that role through June 2009. Throughout his tenure at the company, Mr. Lauder consistently challenged the status quo, developing and implementing innovative sales and marketing programs that revolutionized the beauty industry. He created the company's first research and development laboratory, brought in professional management at every level, and was the driving force behind The Estée Lauder Companies' international expansion, helping to increase the company's sales and profits exponentially. A legendary brand builder, Mr. Lauder led the launch of many brands including Aramis, Clinique, and Lab Series, among others. Until his death, he remained deeply involved in the company's acquisition strategy, including the acquisitions of Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone London, La Mer, and M∙A∙C. Speaking for The Estée Lauder Companies, President and Chief Executive Officer Stéphane de La Faverie said, 'Leonard Lauder was beloved by many and will be missed tremendously. To our employees at The Estée Lauder Companies, he was an inspiration and a champion. To the industry, he was an icon and pioneer, earning respect worldwide. His energy and vision helped shape our company and will continue to do so for generations to come. He was a deeply compassionate leader who cared profoundly about every person in the company. I feel privileged to have worked with Leonard, who has been the best mentor I could have dreamt to learn from. He will be remembered by all of us.' During his many years as Chairman Emeritus, Mr. Lauder was closely involved in the business and day-to-day operations of the company and was a constant fixture at The Estée Lauder Companies' global headquarters in New York and at our stores and counters across the globe until the time of his death. Mr. Lauder believed that each of his colleagues was like a member of his family and treated them as such. The values that continue to set the company apart are the values he so strongly believed in and embodied, most notably generosity of spirit and kindness toward all. Perhaps the role Mr. Lauder was most proud of was the unofficial one as The Estée Lauder Companies' 'chief teaching officer.' He believed that a company's wealth is its people and focused on mentoring and fostering growth within the company's diverse talent pool. He believed strongly in the importance of recognition and gratitude and was a tireless advocate for employees. At the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, Mr. Lauder was instrumental in setting up the ELC Cares Employee Relief Fund to support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of employees and their families. Mr. Lauder was deeply involved in medical research, education, art, foreign policy, and philanthropy, and the marks he made on those worlds were transformational. Mr. Lauder believed passionately in the importance of public access to art and museums, which inspired his philosophy that the primary role of a collector was to conserve, not possess. He was a long-time supporter of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) and, in 2013, pledged his 78-piece collection of Cubist art to the museum in the largest single philanthropic gift in the Met's history. He later added five major works to that promised gift. In concert with his Cubist collection donation, he helped establish the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at the Met to support a robust program of fellowships, focused exhibitions, and public lectures. Along with his prominent presence at the Met, he also served as the Whitney Museum of American Art's Chairman Emeritus and a trustee from 1977 to 2011. Throughout his life, he donated works of art and endowed curatorial positions and research departments to numerous institutions. Mr. Lauder was a long-time advocate of cancer research and served as Honorary Chairman of the board of directors at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the organization his beloved late-wife, Evelyn H. Lauder, founded in 1993. He also championed the fight against Alzheimer's by co-founding and leading the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation with his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, which supports cutting-edge drug research. Mr. Lauder remained actively engaged with these organizations until his death, and they were extraordinarily dear to his heart. Remembering his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, Chairman, Clinique Laboratories, LLC at The Estée Lauder Companies, said, 'Leonard was a wonderful brother and a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, colleague, and friend. But his legacy extends far beyond being the heart of our family. His impact will be felt for generations to come thanks to his tireless philanthropy, advocacy, and creativity in tackling some of the world's greatest challenges. The number of lives he touched and positively impacted across all his endeavors is immeasurable. His passion and generosity have inspired us all, and there are no words to express how much he will be missed.' 'My father was a remarkable man, a leader in business, a devoted philanthropist, and a deeply loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather,' said Gary M. Lauder, son and Member, Board of Directors, The Estée Lauder Companies. 'His energy, sharp intellect, and generous spirit touched the lives of so many across the world. To me, he was also a constant source of encouragement, wisdom, and love. His legacy is vast, not only in the beauty industry, but in the countless lives improved by his charitable efforts and his passionate commitment to the arts, education, and healthcare. He was not only well-respected and admired, but he was also adored by his employees and colleagues. This affection stands out for me. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his extraordinary life, his lasting contributions, and the values he instilled in all of us: integrity, curiosity, and the importance of giving back. He will be missed more than words can express.' Mr. Lauder believed in the value of education and supported a variety of academic institutions. He was an emeritus trustee of the University of Pennsylvania and a founding member of the board of governors of its Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies, along with his brother, Ronald. His passion for education continued into the public space, having supported several schools in the New York area and receiving the honor of being an inductee into the Bronx High School of Science Hall of Fame in 2017. When the pandemic in 2020 magnified the nation's acute shortage of quality primary care in underserved communities, Mr. Lauder worked with the University of Pennsylvania to create a tuition-free program to educate nurse practitioners. His donation of $125 million, the largest gift ever to an American nursing school, made possible the Leonard A. Lauder Community Care Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lauder worked throughout his life to promote dialogue among governments, political and non-governmental organizations, and the public and private sectors, believing that this interdisciplinary dialogue is crucial to progress. He served as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and as Chairman Emeritus and a lifetime trustee on the board of directors at the Aspen Institute. He felt that public service was a person's duty and, in addition to his time in the U.S. Navy, later served on the Advisory Committee for Trade Negotiations under President Ronald Reagan from 1983–1987. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Lauder was honored with a myriad of awards, including the 'Lone Sailor' Award given by the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation, the Légion d'Honneur given by the government of France, the Women's Leadership Award given by the Lincoln Center Corporate Fund Women's Leadership Council, and the Palazzo Strozzi Renaissance Man of the Year Award. In 2020, he was inducted into the Retail Hall of Fame by the World Retail Congress. The Lauder family received the esteemed 2011 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in recognition of its long-standing commitment to philanthropy and public service. In 2014, Mr. Lauder was named a Living Landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. Mr. Lauder and Ms. Glickman Lauder also received the Gordon Parks Foundation Patron of the Arts Award in 2016. Mr. Lauder shared many of the lessons he learned in business and life in his memoir, The Company I Keep: My Life in Beauty, published to great acclaim in 2020. He was married to Evelyn H. Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President at The Estée Lauder Companies and the Founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, from 1959 until she passed away in 2011. On January 1, 2015, Mr. Lauder married Judy Glickman Lauder, a philanthropist and internationally recognized photographer whose work is represented in more than 300 public and private collections, including the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Whitney Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the United States Holocaust Museum. Mr. Lauder considered himself lucky in love and believed that lightning really could strike twice. From the beginning, he was devoted to family. He loved his parents and adored his brother, Ronald, and the family Ronald built with Jo Carole. His nieces and their families held a special place in his heart. Mr. Lauder was grateful to his wife, Judy, for widening his family circle and cherished his stepchildren and their families. But mostly, he was extraordinarily proud of both of his sons, their families, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved them so dearly. Mr. Lauder was a true visionary, fearless leader, and cherished friend to so many. He was the beacon of our company and the north star of an entire industry. The world is a better place because Leonard Lauder was in it. The Estée Lauder Companies extends our deepest sympathies to the entire Lauder family during this exceedingly difficult time. Mr. Lauder is survived by his wife, Judy Glickman Lauder; his son William P. Lauder; his son Gary M. Lauder and wife, Laura Lauder; five grandchildren, Rachel, Danielle, Djuna-Bear, Joshua, Eliana, two great-grandchildren, many stepchildren and step grandchildren, as well as his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, and wife, Jo Carole Lauder, and their daughters, Aerin Lauder and Jane Lauder. A private service will be held for friends and family. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation. The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (ELC) is one of the world's leading manufacturers, marketers, and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company's products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Serene village in China's Xi'an offers new approach to Alzheimer's care
Instead of confining sufferers behind locked doors or restricting them to rigid routines, the village offers an environment that meets them where they are. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO SINGAPORE/XI'AN – Nestled amid the verdant forest parks and mountain springs of the Zhouzhi Louguan eco-cultural tourism resort zone in Xi'an, China, is a one-of-its-kind village for seniors. Here, mornings are unhurried. In the centre of the village, a man-made lake mirrors the daylight, with the sound of water gently lapping against stone. A short stroll along the lakeside brings seniors to a bright, spacious dining hall, where breakfast is served. There is quiet chatter – even laughter – as friends greet one another, some for the third or fourth time that morning. Afterwards, a few residents go for a light workout in a tree-lined gazebo, while others head to a calligraphy or music class. If the place looks like a typical quaint Chinese village, that is because it was designed to mimic one as much as possible. Clues like a post office that does not send or receive actual mail, a convenience store that uses fake currency, and bus routes that loop endlessly around the tiny compound give away the nature of the village. Spanning over 43,000 sq m, or about the size of six football fields , the compound is an Alzheimer's disease village – a first for China. It is run by real-estate-turned-healthcare company Perennial Holdings. A mock post office and florist at the Perennial Alzheimer's Care Village Xi'an. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Earlier in June, the Singapore-based company took journalists to tour the compound along with its healthcare facilities in other Chinese cities. The innovative care model in the Perennial Alzheimer's Care Village Xi'an is designed for those living with a disease that progressively robs them of their memory, thinking and reasoning. The illness is the most common disease that causes dementia, an umbrella term for symptoms ranging from confusion to changes in behaviour, to problems with language. Instead of confining sufferers behind locked doors or restricting them to rigid routines, as in traditional eldercare facilities, the village offers an environment that meets them where they are – one built on safety, dignity and choice. Residents can move about freely and interact with one other. Staff such as doctors, nurses and physiotherapists also aim to be part of the residents' lives, engaging with them like friends or family members on top of being medical professionals. The care model was first popularised by the Hogeweyk dementia village in the Netherlands in 2009. More than a decade later, similar villages offering inclusive and small-scale communities for dementia patients have been set up in countries like France, Canada, Norway and Switzerland. When setting up the Xi'an project, the Perennial team visited some of these villages to learn from their experiences. Today, the Xi'an village comprises a dementia care home with about 450 beds, a nursing care hospital, a rehabilitation hospital and an international eldercare research institute. Since it opened progressively from March 2024, the village has hosted over 50 residents, with 26 still residing there currently. Staff aim to be part of the residents' lives, engaging with them like friends or family members on top of being medical professionals. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Dr Song Xiangying, dean of the village, said the majority of the patients, who have medium to severe symptoms, have become less agitated, happier and calmer since they were admitted to the facility. She cited the example of a man who, during his first few days after admission, would insist on going home after his meals. Instead of trying to convince him to stay, she waited with the man at one of the 'bus stops' in the compound. 'We chatted about how long it would take for him to go home and even walked to another bus stop when we had waited too long,' said Dr Song, adding that going along with the man's version of reality helped to calm him. After a few days, he stopped wanting to go home. One of the 'bus stops' in the compound. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Dr Song also said no resident has wandered out of the compound. Such behaviour, known as elopement, is common because patients may be disorientated or have a desire to fulfil former obligations or unmet needs. While the patient and understanding staff play a key role in its success, the facility is also equipped with high-tech security measures to prevent residents from wandering off. 'We use facial and video recognition to monitor the residents' whereabouts, so they do not need to put on wearable devices like bracelets,' said Dr Song. All staff, including security guards and cleaners, know residents by name and keep a watchful eye on them, she added. Residents can move about freely and interact with one another. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Among the residents is Madam Wang Lai Fei, 76. While she had displayed early signs of Alzheimer's disease since 2023, her condition deteriorated in January after her husband died. Her daughter-in-law Lu Jing said the elderly woman had wandered out on her own and got lost twice. Ms Lu then decided to admit Madam Wang to the facility as she was stressed from caregiving. 'Now, her condition is stable and she has even gained weight. She is very comfortable here, with a group of friends she can chit-chat with every day ,' said Ms Lu. (From left) Dr Song Xiangying, dean of the village, with Madam Wang Lai Fei and Madam Wang's daughter-in-law Lu Jing. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Assistant Professor Saima Hilal, from NUS' Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said that since dementia is a progressive condition with no known cure, the success of dementia villages should be measured not only by clinical outcomes like slowing of decline, but also, more importantly, by indicators of well-being and quality of life. Some useful benchmarks include engagement in daily activities; reduced reliance on antipsychotic medication, physical restraints or hospital admissions; and cost-effectiveness over time, especially when factoring in fewer emergency admissions or complications. Singapore tried to pilot its own dementia care village in 2020 in Buangkok Green, but the project attracted only one bid – a joint one by Perennial Holdings subsidiary Pre 11 and nursing and personal care operator Orpea. Ultimately, the project was shelved because the Government found the bid of $15 million to be too low. Perennial chief executive Pua Seck Guan said that if Singapore were to revive the project, the company would be 'happy to explore' opportunities, but he also cited high land costs as a challenge. The Perennial Alzheimer's Care Village Xi'an spans over 43,000 sq m, about the size of six football fields. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Prof Hilal noted that besides land costs, operational costs for such care models would also be higher due to the need for trained staff and low resident-to-staff ratios. Another challenge is the limited public-private investment, as the business model is not yet fully proven in South-east Asia. Therefore, instead of replicating large-scale dementia villages, hybrid models could be more feasible in Singapore, she said. These include embedding dementia-friendly design features in HDB estates and active ageing centres, setting up smaller cluster-living homes using under-utilised community spaces, and training neighbourhood volunteers and caregivers to support dementia-inclusive communities. 'These steps are more scalable and culturally appropriate for Singapore's high-density environment, and can deliver many of the same benefits as full-fledged dementia villages,' said Prof Hilal. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
