What is XPRIZE Healthspan?
WHAT IS XPRIZE?
XPRIZE IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS ORGANIZED AND MANAGED INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN A VARIETY OF CUTTING-EDGE FIELDS, INCLUDING SPACE EXPLORATION, AI, AND ROBOTICS. XPRIZE HAS DELIVERED TECHNOLOGIES THAT HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED SOCIETY, SUCH AS COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHT AND SELF-DRIVING TECHNOLOGY, AND IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT AIMS TO STIMULATE GLOBAL INNOVATION BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND NETWORKING TO HELP PARTICIPATING TEAMS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS WHILE SETTING A "FIRST PRIZE. THE MAJOR FEATURE OF XPRIZE IS THAT IT AIMS TO STIMULATE GLOBAL INNOVATION BY PROVIDING SUPPORT AND NETWORKING TO HELP PARTICIPATING TEAMS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS WHILE SETTING A "PRIZE MONEY".
Aims of the Healthspan Division
A new area that XPRIZE is focusing on is "Healthspan," or the extension of healthy life expectancy.
- Diverse approaches from medicine, health care, and science focus on technologies for delaying and rejuvenating aging.
- Approximately 600 teams from around the world have entered the competition, and about 180 teams have announced their participation in the qualifiers. Sixteen teams from Japan are participating.
- The system is designed to comprehensively evaluate the uniqueness of the technology, its potential for practical application, and its impact on society.
With the aging of the population on a global scale, the question of how to realize a society where people can live longer and healthier is now a universal challenge. XPRIZE Healthspan brings together a diverse range of technologies to compete in innovation, including new drug development, regenerative medicine, gene therapy, and digital health.
Why XPRIZE Healthspan is a hot topic
Impact of aging and rejuvenation
The elucidation of aging mechanisms and the realization of rejuvenation technologies have the potential to significantly change the lives of many people. For example, if aging at the cellular level can be controlled, the risk of developing lifestyle-related diseases and dementia could be dramatically reduced. By extending healthy life expectancy,
- IMPROVED INDIVIDUAL QOL (QUALITY OF LIFE)
- Controlling medical expenses and reducing social security costs
- Securing the workforce by reducing the burden of caregiving
and other social and economic benefits may be gained. These expectations have led a wide range of stakeholders, including investors and policy makers as well as the medical industry, to focus on XPRIZE Healthspan.
Participating international teams
Another attraction of XPRIZE Healthspan is the diverse group of 180 teams of researchers and companies from around the world. The teams that have entered the competition come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from university research institutes to biotech startups to historic pharmaceutical companies. Each team has a different area of expertise and research approach, so simply comparing and examining the teams has significant academic and industrial implications.
Global recognition of successful teams
THE XPRIZE IS RENOWNED AS A VENUE FOR BRINGING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY TO THE WORLD, AND IN MANY CASES, TALENTED TEAMS MAKE GREAT STRIDES.
- Award attracts significant investment
- Increased collaboration with research institutions and companies around the world
- Increased visibility through media coverage
These potential benefits will encourage the entrant firms to further develop their technologies.
16 teams from Japan
Challenges and opportunities created by an aging society
Japan is one of the most aging societies in the world, and needs related to aging research, nursing care, and welfare are extremely high. Against this backdrop, Japan has developed advanced technological capabilities in areas such as regenerative medicine, genetic engineering, and AI-based health tech. For this reason, the XPRIZE Healthspan,
- Research teams in collaboration with medical institutions and universities
- Venture companies with cutting-edge technology
- A health-related company with a deep history
are all participating in the competition, offering proposals that take advantage of their respective strengths.
Diverse Research Approaches
Examples of the diversity of research areas addressed by the Japanese team include the following
- Regenerative Medicine Using Stem Cells
The project will explore methods to rejuvenate aging cells as well as to regenerate bones and organs. - Gene Editing Technology
controls the rate of aging by controlling specific genes and proteins that promote aging. - Aging Cell Removal
Technology that removes aging cells to provide an anti-aging effect. - Telomere Repair
Advanced research to extend telomere length, which is related to the number of times a cell divides. - Activation of longevity genes
promotes the function of gene groups such as sirtuins and enhances cellular homeostasis. - Nutrition and Supplement Development
Combining the essence of traditional medicine with modern science and optimizing it into a conveniently ingestible form.
Each team is trying to elucidate the aging mechanism from a different angle, and it is believed that mutual stimulation will further invigorate aging research in Japan.
This activation is one of the goals of XPRIZE Healthspan.
Initiatives of Abe Yoando Pharmaceuticals Co.
Fusion of Traditional Medicine and Advanced Biotechnology
We, Abe Yoando Pharmaceuticals, are a company that aims to fuse traditional medicine and cutting-edge biotechnology based on the knowledge of Chinese medicine, which has been handed down since the Edo period (1603-1868). We develop safer and more effective anti-aging products by using ideas from ancient formulas, analyzing them with a modern scientific approach, and accumulating empirical data.
Challenges in Rejuvenation Research
We are fully utilizing the knowledge and expertise we have accumulated to date to take on the full-scale challenge of anti-aging and rejuvenation technologies. Specifically:.
- We are conducting research to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and specific proteins that promote aging.
- Pursuit of Synergy with Traditional Chinese Medicine Ingredients
Traditional Chinese medicine contains many ingredients that contribute to anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, and cell activation. We aim to maximize these effects by analyzing them from a molecular biological perspective and combining them with biotechnological technologies. - Reducing the Risk of Side Effects
Aging care products used over the long term must be safe as well as highly effective. We have designed multiple clinical studies and safety evaluations and are currently seeking methods to minimize the risk of side effects.
Global Collaboration and Future Development
The XPRIZE Healthspan stage creates opportunities for technical exchange with advanced teams from around the world, and we are actively gathering information and exchanging ideas. In the future,
- Joint research with overseas research institutions
- Platform development in cooperation with other companies
- Global development of new pharmaceuticals and supplements
We will aim for further growth and contribution to society with an eye to
Why Investors and Media Expect
Anti-aging market expected to grow
As the world's birthrate declines and the population ages, the anti-aging market is expected to continue to grow. In particular,
- Increase in aging-related diseases
- Growing health awareness
- Maturity of advanced biotechnology
The presence of a major competition, XPRIZE Healthspan, will further accelerate this market movement.
Increased media attention
Aging and rejuvenation are topics of great interest to the general public. The companies and researchers who are active in XPRIZE Healthspan have a great potential to make a social impact by disseminating cutting-edge aging care information to a large number of people through the media. The potential for social impact is great.
summary
XPRIZE Healthspan is an international stage where a wide variety of research to extend healthy life expectancy is gathered, attracting the interest of not only the medical and healthcare industries but also many stakeholders. Sixteen teams from Japan are participating in the competition, and their approaches are truly diverse, ranging from regenerative medicine and gene editing to nutrition and fusion with traditional medicine.
We at Abe Yoando Pharmaceutical are also striving to develop products that aim to inhibit aging and rejuvenate the body by combining our long-cultivated research in Chinese herbal medicine with cutting-edge biotechnology. We hope to create more innovative products and services through international collaboration and information exchange.
As aging research advances, we may see a society in which many people can enjoy longevity while maintaining good health. XPRIZE Healthspan will play an immeasurable role in promoting this major step forward. We will be keeping a close eye on future developments and updates from each of the participating teams.
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