Sam Altman, known as one of the leading figures in artificial intelligence, has set his sights on another ambitious challenge: a pill to slow and perhaps even reverse the effects of aging. Through his biotech company Retro Biosciences, Altman is pushing forward a new kind of medicine that could extend lifespan and restore brain health for millions of people.
The Birth of Retro Biosciences
Altman founded Retro Biosciences in 2021 with an initial investment of $180 million from his own fortune. The company has since grown into one of Silicon Valley’s most talked-about ventures in longevity science. Its mission is clear: add 10 years of healthy living to the average human lifespan. To expand its research and trials, Retro is now seeking an additional $1 billion in funding, a sum that would place it among the world’s largest longevity startups.
The Brain Pill Called RTR242
The centerpiece of Retro’s research is a pill called RTR242. This experimental treatment is designed to combat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other forms of dementia by clearing out the toxic protein buildup, or “gunk,” that clogs brain cells over time. In healthy individuals, the body removes these proteins naturally. But as people age, or when neurodegenerative diseases strike, this process fails, leading to widespread cell damage.
RTR242 works by reviving a natural system known as autophagy. This is the body’s built-in recycling method, which breaks down damaged proteins and restores cell health. Retro’s approach is different from existing Alzheimer’s drugs, which primarily aim to reduce amyloid plaques. Instead, RTR242 is designed to restore the brain’s ability to clean itself, potentially reversing years of damage rather than just slowing its progression.
The First Human Trials
Retro Biosciences plans to begin its first human clinical trial of RTR242 in Australia by the end of 2025. The country’s regulatory environment makes it easier to fast-track Phase 1 safety studies. If successful, the trial will show that the pill can safely restore autophagy and help sick brain cells recover. These results will be key for attracting the $1 billion in funding the company needs for large-scale trials.
Beyond the Pill
While RTR242 is Retro’s most advanced project, the company is also working on other therapies. These include a treatment to rejuvenate blood stem cells, which could help fight diseases like leukemia, and a therapy to replace specific brain cells called microglia, which play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Together, these efforts aim to reset parts of human biology back to a younger, healthier state.
Altman’s interest in aging isn’t just financial. He practices his own anti-aging habits, which include intermittent fasting, regular exercise, and sleep optimization. He also takes supplements like vitamin D3, omega-3, and methyl B12, and uses the diabetes drug metformin, which has gained popularity among biohackers for its potential anti-aging effects.
Retro’s CEO, Joe Betts-LaCroix, argues that adding ten years of healthy lifespan would be one of the greatest achievements in medical history. By comparison, curing cancer would add only about three years to average life expectancy, while curing heart disease would add about four. Retro’s focus is not just on making people live longer, but on ensuring they live healthier, more vibrant lives into old age.
The upcoming trial of RTR242 represents a turning point for Retro Biosciences and for Sam Altman’s vision. If successful, this brain-focused pill could do more than treat dementia. It could open the door to medicines that truly reverse aspects of aging, giving people more years of vitality and independence. For a world facing a surge in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s cases, such a breakthrough could be life-changing.
