Latest news with #HevolutionFoundation
Al Arabiya
09-07-2025
- Health
- Al Arabiya
Billion-dollar Saudi Hevolution Foundation brings world-first Hepatitis B cure to trials
A potential world-first cure for hepatitis B, a breakthrough treatment for a rare, life-threatening childhood disease, and a psoriasis treatment that could reshape healthy lifespan research – these are some of the real-world medical advances being driven by the Saudi Arabia-based and funded Hevolution Foundation, marking unprecedented progress in the fight against age-related diseases. In an exclusive interview with Al Arabiya English, Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, revealed that all four companies – initially funded by the Kingdom's massive healthspan initiative – have successfully transitioned from pre-clinical animal testing to human trials. Khan describes this achievement as 'unusual' in biotech investment. 'That is unprecedented,' the CEO said, highlighting the foundation's unique approach of screening 500 companies before focusing initially on the four most promising candidates. 'It speaks to great science. It speaks to scientists and the entrepreneurs that had the idea to build a company around the technology. It speaks to our investment team that sourced these deals, and it speaks to my science team that did deep due diligence.' The breakthrough developments come five years after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman issued a royal decree establishing the Hevolution Foundation. He pledged up to one billion dollars annually for research aimed at extending healthy human lifespan and combating age-related diseases. Hepatitis B breakthrough could transform Gulf healthcare Among the most significant developments is a potential cure for hepatitis B, a disease which has emerged as a global epidemic, according to the World Health. WHO estimates that 254 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B infection in 2022, with 1.2 million new infections each year and no cure. The disease represents one of the leading causes of liver cancer when left untreated, making the potential breakthrough particularly significant for regional healthcare systems. Khan highlighted that hepatitis B remains a major health concern in the Gulf, adding that clinical trials are expected to include the region as the technology progresses. The company is taking an innovative approach by targeting the virus's epigenetic interaction with human cells, marking a fundamental shift in treating viral diseases. According to Khan, when a person is infected with a virus, it first gets into the cells and they begin to age quickly. Viruses 'hijack our own machinery and use that machinery to reproduce themselves. The cells they're hijacking get damaged,' Khan explained. This science transforms how we understand ourselves and the impact the work can have. 'It changes the way we think about these issues, because now you can actually intervene,' Khan added. Revolutionary psoriasis treatment opens healthy lifespan pathways Another company – Rubedo – funded by Hevolution has developed a topical treatment for psoriasis that targets the underlying aging processes in skin cells, potentially opening vast new markets for healthy lifespan applications. Currently, severe psoriasis cases are treated using methods that 'suppress the immune system, which has all sorts of side effects,' Khan explained. The new approach instead addresses the root cause by modifying the aging biological processes in affected cells. In psoriasis, the skin cells age rapidly and the skin becomes inflamed. 'That inflammatory process causes the symptoms and signs of psoriasis and damage,' Khan explained. 'One of our companies came at this and said, could we change the aging biological process in these cells and actually see if the psoriasis improves? So, you're not treating the consequence of it, but the underlying biological process.' The implications extend far beyond psoriasis treatment. 'Now imagine the aging process in the skin, and if you could mitigate that using a topical approach, I don't need to tell you what the market might look like,' Khan said, suggesting potential applications in the broader healthy lifespan field. He pointed out that a potential treatment could have widespread positive impacts similar to Ozempic or other GLP-1 drugs –originally developed for diabetes but now used for multiple medical conditions, including obesity. The topical treatment is currently being tested in humans to reduce the aging process of skin in patients with psoriasis. 'The first thing to do is test for toxicity in humans. We know it's safe in animals. That's why it moved to humans,' Khan said. 'It's now being tested in what we call phase one.' The key questions at this stage are whether the treatment remains safe, whether there are any early signs of effectiveness, and how it should be dosed. Phase two will involve testing on patients with the disease at different dosage levels, followed by a large-scale phase three trial. Life-saving treatment for rare childhood disease The third breakthrough involves a treatment for tuberous sclerosis, a rare seizure disorder affecting children that currently has no cure. Children with this condition may 'eventually die from kidney diseases or seizure disorders,' Khan said. The current treatment options force families into an impossible choice. 'Imagine the choice: a child continues to have seizures, or you give them a drug which mitigates the seizures but now has lots of toxicity, and there's no alternative,' Khan said. Hevolution-funded company Aeovian Pharmaceuticals has developed an alternative approach that could provide the benefits of existing treatments without the severe side effects. 'They're actually now ready to enter human trials,' Khan confirmed, with first human results expected within 12 to 18 months. The treatment works through the mTOR pathway, building on previous research with rapamycin-like drugs. 'The problem with rapamycin is it's actually an immunosuppressant used in transplant patients to stop you rejecting your organ, which has all sorts of side effects. That's why most people are not wanting to even try rapamycin,' Khan explained. 'If you could take the benefits of rapamycin and eliminate its baggage, then you'd have something transformative.' Foundation's growing global impact In recent years, Hevolution launched more than $400 million in research grants, supporting more than 200 global grants and more than 250 scientists worldwide, including scientists in Saudi Arabia. As the single-largest lead funder in the field, the foundation was also instrumental in the creation of the $101mn XPRIZE Healthspan competition, launched at the Global Healthspan Summit in 2023. Khan outlined the foundation's comprehensive approach: 'We're funding about 250 scientists around the world. We have long-term research partnerships. We have short term research projects as short as a year, as much as up to five years.' The foundation's Global Healthspan Summit has become 'by far the largest gathering of aging biology scientists, investors, leaders, etc., in the world for an organization that didn't exist five years ago,' Khan said. The summit attracted over 3,500 participants from 80 countries, representing what Khan called 'unprecedented' growth in the field. 'By any international criteria, it's a huge success,' Khan said. 'We saw unprecedented growth in registrations, attendees, and global representations – up big on all measures from our first summit.' The foundation operates on three core principles that Khan believes are essential for transforming the healthy lifespan research landscape. 'One is we want to convene the field. The second is we want to catalyze the progress of the science, so create the pipeline for science to move eventually to the marketplace, in the hands of clinicians. The third is to make this field attractive for investors, so that the private sector accelerates its move into the market. You need all three,' Khan explained. This strategy has already begun attracting additional investors to the companies Hevolution initially funded. 'What we did by design was to invest in companies that were in pre-clinical stage,' Khan explained. 'What that means is that we're testing their theories, their ideas, their science, their interventions or treatments in animals.' One of the significant challenges the foundation addresses is the lack of regulatory pathways for aging-related treatments. 'There's no regulatory path today that allows a drug to be developed for aging. No regulatory agency has yet created that path,' Khan said. However, he drew parallels to historical precedents where science advanced ahead of regulatory frameworks. Using statins as an example, he noted that these cholesterol-lowering drugs were initially only approved for patients who had already suffered heart attacks, before eventually becoming standard preventive treatments. 'When statins came to the market back in the 1980s…they were only approved to lower your cholesterol if you'd had a heart attack, so you'd actually have to have a heart attack first, and then you get treated with statins,' Khan said. Today, if someone has high cholesterol and is considered high-risk, doctors prescribe statins to prevent the first heart attack. Khan credits this shift to widespread usage and proven benefits after initial market approval. 'We started to see the benefit,' he said. Khan indicated that within 36 to 60 months, the hepatitis B treatment, currently – in phase one – could enter phase three trials, representing the final stage before potential market approval. For the psoriasis treatment, the company 'should start three different clinical programs in different conditions' next year, with the skin treatment serving as the initial proof of concept before expansion into other applications. Central to Hevolution's mission is ensuring that breakthrough treatments benefit all of humanity, not just wealthy individuals seeking life extension. The foundation's approach differs from typical celebrity-driven longevity trends. 'We haven't come at this to create a lot of sensationalism. That's not what Hevolution is about,' Khan stated. 'This is not about a lot of celebrities getting on social media telling you what they do for themselves to have impact. We're here to democratize the science and impact humanity. And in our mind, the best way to do that is not only fund the science, but identify the best startup technologies that are ready to now be invested in.' Global investment in healthspan science needed Rather than seeking to monopolize the healthy lifespan research space, Hevolution actively encourages other investors and organizations to enter the field. 'We don't compete with any fund in the world. We want the more the merrier,' Khan said. 'If five years from now, we're the smallest player in the space, we'll have been successful. The idea is not to keep the pie the same size and have Hevolution have a significant large voice. No, the idea is that we become like the 10th player in a much larger field.' This collaborative approach reflects the foundation's ultimate goal of creating a sustainable ecosystem for aging research that extends far beyond any single organization's capabilities. As the global population ages – with more than one billion people over age 60 today expected to double to two billion by 2050 – the importance of Hevolution's work continues to grow. The breakthrough treatments now entering human trials represent more than just medical advances; they demonstrate proof of concept for entirely new approaches to age-related diseases.
Arab News
17-04-2025
- Health
- Arab News
How AI is decoding multi-omics data to boost health and longevity in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is embracing the future of healthcare by integrating artificial intelligence and omics-based diagnostics to deliver personalized, preventive care. This is part of a broader transformation that frames longevity not just as an individual aspiration but a national priority. Central to this transformation is the integration of genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other omics disciplines into clinical practice — powered by AI. Leading the charge is Rewind, a Saudi Arabia-based company using the technology to pioneer proactive, individualized care. 'At Rewind, we harness the power of AI and omics technologies to shift healthcare from a generalized, reactive model to one that is deeply personalized and proactive,' Dr. Walid Zaher, the founder of Rewind, told Arab News. 'AI is the engine that makes this vast data actionable. It identifies patterns, predicts health risks, and recommends the most effective interventions for each individual.' He said that 'such a dynamic, data-driven approach' enables healthcare to be 'as unique as the patient it serves.' • Integrating AI with omics-based diagnostics supports early disease detection and predicts health risks. • In cancer care, AI and genomics are used together to match patients with the most effective targeted therapies. • Saudi Arabia, the US, and the UK are making major investments in the integration of AI and omics. Omics refers to a group of biological fields ending with the suffix '-omics,' each examining a different layer of biological data on a system-wide scale. Together, they offer a comprehensive view of how the body functions. Transitioning from this broad understanding to actionable insights requires AI's ability to analyze trillions of variables across DNA, protein expression, metabolic changes, and epigenetic shifts. This capability allows practitioners to intervene earlier and more accurately than ever. 'Omics-based diagnostics have already begun to make a profound impact on patient outcomes,' said Zaher. 'The precision enabled by genomics and multi-omics technologies allows us to detect diseases at their earliest molecular stages — often well before any clinical symptoms appear. 'Beyond disease detection, multi-omics approaches help in monitoring disease progression and response to treatments. The result has been an increase in patient satisfaction, as they experience better health outcomes and more personalized care.' Saudi Arabia's commitment to health innovation is evident in both its infrastructure and ambition. National initiatives like the Saudi Genome Program and investments through the Hevolution Foundation are driving the development of a knowledge-based healthcare system aligned with Vision 2030. 'Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 has made healthcare innovation a strategic priority,' said Zaher. 'The government has invested heavily in infrastructure that supports cutting-edge research, particularly in AI, genomics, and biotechnology.' This focus is positioning Saudi Arabia as a major player in the global longevity economy, according to Dmitry Kaminskiy, a co-founder and managing partner of Deep Knowledge Group. 'Saudi Arabia and its GCC counterparts are strategically positioned to be not just participants but global pioneers in the longevity economy,' Kaminskiy told Arab News. 'With Vision 2030, the Kingdom has set the foundation for integrating economic diversification, healthcare innovation, and AI governance — all key components of a national longevity strategy.' Kaminskiy, who has authored multiple books on AI and healthspan, believes that AI has shifted from a supporting role to something far more central to the field. 'We are now witnessing a paradigm shift where AI is not just an assistant but the architect of next-generation healthcare platforms,' he said. 'Just as fintech redefined personal finance, AI will redefine personal health.' Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain in mainstreaming AI and omics-based care into national systems. Zaher of Rewind noted that overcoming these hurdles will require both technological and cultural shifts. 'Integrating AI and precision medicine into a national healthcare system comes with several challenges, the most pressing of which is the need for a robust data infrastructure,' he said. 'Healthcare data is often fragmented or siloed, making it difficult to create a cohesive system that AI can utilize effectively.' Another critical challenge is training healthcare providers to engage with this new era of medicine. Zaher said the integration of AI and precision medicine into clinical practice demands 'a level of technological literacy that has yet to become widespread across the healthcare workforce. 'We need targeted training programs that equip providers with the skills to interpret AI-generated insights and translate them into actionable, patient-centered care,' he added. Looking ahead, Kaminskiy said establishing ethical data governance will be vital to ensuring progress. 'Data is the lifeblood of AI-powered longevity,' he said. 'But it is not just the amount of data that matters — it is the ownership, security, and ethical governance of that data that will define the winners in this domain.' The Hevolution Foundation is playing a key role in funding and shaping the longevity research agenda in the region. According to Zaher, it is 'poised to play a pivotal role in accelerating global healthspan science by providing the funding and resources necessary to drive innovation in aging research. 'Through supporting projects that focus on extending healthspan and preventing age-related diseases, Hevolution is helping to set a global standard for longevity science,' he added. As Saudi Arabia expands its investment in AI-driven healthcare and global collaborations deepen, the boundaries between technology, biology, and medicine are blurring — bringing the goal of healthy aging closer to reality.
Al-Ahram Weekly
08-02-2025
- Health
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Saudi Arabia Hosts Global Summit on Healthy Longevity - Health - Life & Style
Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing ageing research with the successful conclusion of the Global Summit on Healthy Longevity in Riyadh. Organized by the Hevolution Foundation, the summit brought together over 2,000 participants from 80 countries and 150 international speakers to discuss groundbreaking advancements in ageing-related disease treatments and longevity science. Speaking to Al-Ahram, Princess Dr Haya bint Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, Senior Vice President of Research at Hevolution Foundation, emphasized that geroscience is a rapidly evolving field with immense potential. She highlighted the foundation's commitment to funding and supporting global research aimed at the early detection and prevention of ageing-related diseases. Established in 2018 by Royal Decree, Hevolution Foundation operates under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The organization follows a three-year funding cycle that prioritizes investments based on scientific data, including life expectancy trends, demographic shifts, and the prevalence of chronic diseases. Princess Dr Haya stressed that healthy ageing is a top priority for Saudi Arabia, given its direct impact on economic and social well-being. She called for global collaboration to develop effective ageing solutions with declining birth rates and ageing populations on the rise worldwide. 'If we can establish scientifically proven lifestyle strategies and safe preventive treatments, we can ensure that people remain healthy, active, and economically productive for longer periods,' she explained. She acknowledged the high cost and long-term nature of ageing research but reaffirmed Hevolution's commitment to funding leading researchers worldwide. The foundation provides grants, research funding, and training opportunities at top scientific institutions. Hevolution also offers prestigious research prizes to encourage innovation and competition and fosters collaborations with global health institutions and governments. The summit addressed several critical areas in longevity science. Experts explored strategies for preventing chronic illnesses and cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and medical advancements. The role of artificial intelligence and robotics in elderly care was a focal point, showcasing how emerging technologies can improve healthcare systems and enhance quality of life. Discussions also delved into the significance of proper nutrition and physical activity, examining how lifestyle choices contribute to prolonged health and vitality. Mental health was another key topic, with experts highlighting the need for preventive measures to address depression and anxiety in older adults, ensuring psychological well-being as part of a holistic approach to longevity. Short link:
Arab News
04-02-2025
- Health
- Arab News
People around the world want to remain healthy into old age, says Hevolution's CEO
RIYADH: People around the world want to remain healthy and independent into old age, according to the chief executive of Saudi Arabia's Hevolution Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to extending healthy human lifespan. 'We at Hevolution do not like to use the word longevity,' said Mehmood Khan, CEO of the Hevolution Foundation, during the opening session of the organization's Global Healthspan Summit in Riyadh on Tuesday, which has Arab News as a media partner. 'Most people that we serve around the world actually don't want to live longer just for the sake of living longer. They want to be independent; they want to be functional mentally and physically,' Khan added. The summit is back for its second edition in Riyadh, with health professionals, decision-makers, and investors gathering until Feb. 5. Most people that we serve around the world actually don't want to live longer just for the sake of living longer. They want to be indepen-dent; they want to be functional mentally and physically. Mehmood Khan, Hevolution Foundation CEO The two-day conference aims to focus on issues surrounding diseases resulting from aging, their impact on society, economics, and overall health. At the same time the event is negotiating investment opportunities to improve the quality of health in the Kingdom and worldwide. Khan added: 'I have to acknowledge Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose vision has led to the creation of Hevolution today. 'His unwavering support, I can tell you, as recently as four or five days ago, he wanted to know if everything was on track.' The CEO further touched on some of the keys for improving healthy human lifespan, including scientific research and the quality of healthcare. He said: 'This is no longer a discussion for a few experts and patients, and I like to use the word consumers because we are in the business of maintaining them as consumers and not becoming patients.' Touching on the networking opportunities presented by the summit, Khan added: 'You are all here in this unique gathering, which is unprecedented anywhere else in the world. This is your opportunity, and your opportunity is to communicate, to figure out how to collaborate, how to convene in smaller groups and subgroups, and to push the boundaries of science. 'For the entrepreneurs in this room, there is no other business in the world that is going to affect every single human in 8 billion people. 'You have the chance to create businesses that will not only give you financial opportunity, given the scale, but will touch the life of every single human being.' He concluded his speech by noting the concept of 'sadaqah jariyah,' an Islamic belief of doing good not only for now but for the long term. Khan added: 'If we do this today, the benefit of this, and the value of this, will not only be seen in our generation but for generations to come. That is a fundamental belief not only for Islam but probably for most faiths.'
Al Arabiya
04-02-2025
- Health
- Al Arabiya
Saudi summit: GLP-1 drugs could revolutionize global health, access remains a challenge
A leading obesity researcher has called for broader access to revolutionary GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy at Saudi Arabia's Global HealthSpan Summit, which is highlighting the importance of longer, healthier lives. Speaking at the second annual Global HealthSpan Summit, organized by the Kingdom's Hevolution Foundation, David Bradley Allison raised crucial questions about the future of GLP-1 drugs, which have shown remarkable effectiveness in treating obesity and potentially extending healthy lifespans. 'Who decides who gets these drugs? Who pays for them?' Allison asked, addressing the ethical considerations surrounding access to these medications. 'Should a person be able to choose to take one of these drugs for their benefits that they perceive, even if it's not judged by mainstream medicine as medically indicated?' Allison questioned, highlighting the tension between personal choice and medical oversight. Addressing concerns about the high cost of GLP-1 drugs, Allison drew parallels with other technologies that became more affordable over time. 'People talk about how it would cripple the economy, but these are predicated on assumptions that the price doesn't come down,' he said. 'Pocket calculators were very expensive in 1970. Now you give pocket calculators away.' The researcher also noted ongoing developments in drug delivery systems, including oral medications currently in development as alternatives to injections, which could potentially increase accessibility and reduce costs. While acknowledging the promise of GLP-1 drugs, Allison emphasized the importance of addressing broader social and economic factors affecting public health. He cited two significant studies demonstrating the impact of environmental and educational factors on obesity rates. The Moving to Opportunity study, a long-term randomized controlled trial by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, showed that people who moved to better housing conditions were less likely to develop obesity and diabetes decades later. Similarly, the Abecedarian study revealed that early intervention programs focusing on education and parent training led to lower obesity rates, particularly among women and girls. When asked about potential policy solutions, Allison advocated for a freedom-oriented approach rather than restrictions. 'I like giving things, not taking things,' he said, suggesting that government action should focus on making anti-obesity medications more accessible while ensuring proper informed consent. The summit was organized by the Hevolution Foundation, established by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman through a royal decree. The foundation commits over one billion dollars annually to research aimed at extending healthy human lifespans, representing one of the largest investments in longevity science globally. The non-profit foundation aims to democratize access to healthspan science to benefit all of humanity, marking a significant shift in Saudi Arabia's role in global health research. The discussion comes at a time when GLP-1 drugs have gained significant attention for their effectiveness in treating obesity and potential implications for healthy aging. These medications work by mimicking hormones that influence appetite, fullness, and digestion, representing a potentially transformative approach to treating obesity and related conditions.
