Immortal Dragons, a forward-thinking longevity investment fund based in Singapore, is committed to accelerating radical life extension technologies. Unlike traditional investors who prioritize financial returns, Immortal Dragons focuses primarily on societal impact, underwriting cutting-edge startups engaged in transformative approaches such as whole-body replacement therapies, next-generation 3D bioprinting, advanced gene therapies, and innovative regulatory frameworks including special economic zones tailored for longevity biotech. Their investment philosophy challenges conventional aging paradigms by emphasizing the replacement of biological systems rather than mere repair, proposing a disruptive shift in combating aging.

This ethos is encapsulated by Founder Boyang Wang, who views aging as an engineering challenge solvable through technology and innovation. “Accepting aging and death as inevitable is a defeatist position. We believe that with the proper scientific breakthroughs and sustained advocacy, we can eradicate age-related diseases and significantly extend healthy human lifespan,” Wang asserts. Immortal Dragons thus operates not only as an investor but as an active participant in the longevity ecosystem through welfare grants, sponsorships, dissemination of knowledge via book translation and publishing, and hosting influential Chinese-language podcasts dedicated to longevity science.

ARDD 2025 promises a convergence of luminary figures, including Nobel laureates Morten Meldal and Michael Levitt, whose seminal contributions have revolutionized drug design and molecular modeling. Their pioneering work in molecular engineering and computational chemistry has laid the foundation for modern pharmacology and opened new avenues for creating targeted biomolecules with therapeutic potential. Their participation underscores the conference’s stature as an epicenter for multidisciplinary dialogue bridging fundamental research and clinical application in aging and drug discovery.

The conference embodies a unique fusion of academic excellence and industrial innovation, drawing leaders from leading pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Regeneron, and Lundbeck. These industry giants actively engage with emerging research at ARDD, sharing insights into aging-related drug development pipelines and fostering collaborations aimed at translating molecular discoveries into viable medical interventions. The resulting synergies are instrumental in shaping the future trajectory of healthspan extension and age-associated disease amelioration.

A focal point at ARDD 2025 will be the special emphasis on Longevity Medicine, a novel discipline integrating clinical strategies and evidence-based approaches to healthy aging. This facet of the conference facilitates the exchange of clinical protocols, emerging therapies, and the application of artificial intelligence in medicine, targeting practitioners and researchers dedicated to preventive and regenerative healthcare. The inclusion of Longevity Medicine Day highlights an increasing recognition that extending lifespan necessitates a holistic approach encompassing molecular biology, pharmacology, and patient-centered clinical practice.

Moreover, ARDD serves as a melting pot for dialogues on technological innovation in longevity. Emerging tools such as AI-driven drug discovery platforms exemplify how computational methodologies are accelerating identification and optimization of molecules capable of modulating aging pathways. The integration of AI with traditional biopharmaceutical research is paving the way for unprecedented efficiency in understanding complex biological systems, unlocking therapeutic targets that were previously intractable.

The conference’s organizers stress the importance of grounding longevity science in rigorous, reproducible research. Professor Evelyne Bischof, organizer of the Longevity Medicine Days, emphasizes that the presence of Nobel laureates in the scientific roster highlights a commitment towards validated scientific excellence. “Our goal is to promote longevity interventions supported by robust evidence, ensuring that advancements in this burgeoning field meet the highest standards of scientific integrity,” she states.

ARDD’s role extends beyond fostering dialogue; it directly contributes to building an international collaborative network among academia, industry, and investors. This ecosystem is critical for overcoming the multifaceted challenges posed by aging—a complex biological phenomenon characterized by molecular damage accumulation, systemic decline, and increased vulnerability to diseases. Through partnerships catalyzed at ARDD, novel therapeutics designed to target fundamental aging mechanisms, such as senescence, proteostasis dysregulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, are steadily moving from bench to bedside.

Recent years have witnessed accelerating momentum in the aging research arena, with substantial investments channeled towards pharmacological agents like senolytics, NAD+ precursors, and epigenetic modulators. ARDD serves as the principal stage for unveiling such advancements and engaging stakeholders in interactive sessions aimed at refining translational strategies. The conference also addresses regulatory, ethical, and societal considerations inherent in extending human healthspan, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs translate responsibly into clinical applications.

Importantly, the collaboration with Immortal Dragons adds a visionary partner focused on enabling ambitious, so-called “moonshot” projects which challenge established scientific dogmas. Their portfolio includes ventures exploring radical rejuvenation techniques and systemic replacement approaches aimed at restoring youthful biological functions. By nurturing such ventures, Immortal Dragons catalyzes an ecosystem that not only innovates incrementally but also dares to redefine the boundaries of human longevity.

In sum, ARDD 2025 presents a rare opportunity to witness and contribute to an accelerating confluence of science, technology, and medicine aimed at confronting one of humanity’s most profound challenges. Supported by a diverse constellation of thought leaders, investors, and industry titans, the event offers unparalleled insight into the future of aging research and drug discovery. As the world grapples with demographic shifts towards older populations, ARDD’s mission resonates with urgency and hope—a testament to the transformative potential of collaborative innovation in extending healthy lifespan.

For media inquiries and further information, please contact the organizing team at ardd@pharma.ai or reach out directly to Dr. Morten Scheibye-Knudsen of the University of Copenhagen at mscheibye@sund.ku.dk.

Subject of Research: Aging biology, longevity biotechnology, radical life extension, drug discovery targeting aging

Article Title: University of Copenhagen Welcomes Immortal Dragons as Tier 4 Sponsor for ARDD 2025 to Accelerate Radical Longevity Innovations

News Publication Date: Information not provided

Web References:

• University of Copenhagen: https://www.ku.dk/english/
• Aging Research & Drug Discovery Meeting: https://agingpharma.org/
• Immortal Dragons: Not provided directly, inferred as longevity investment fund headquartered in Singapore

Image Credits: ARDD (Aging Research and Drug Discovery Conference)

Keywords: Health and medicine, Aging research, Longevity, Drug discovery, Biopharmaceuticals, Radical life extension, Whole-body replacement, Gene therapy, 3D bioprinting, Artificial intelligence, Longevity medicine, Nobel laureates

Hydrogels represent a unique class of polymeric materials distinguished by their remarkable ability to absorb and retain large quantities of water while maintaining structural integrity. Their biocompatibility, flexibility, and hydrophilic nature have facilitated wide-ranging applications, from soft contact lenses and wound dressings to drug delivery systems and soft robotics. Despite their versatility, the traditional methodologies to produce hydrogels have been hampered by prolonged fabrication times and reliance on chemical initiators, some of which pose toxicity risks that undermine their clinical applicability and environmental safety.

The innovative method devised by the McGill-led team replaces these chemical initiators with high-frequency ultrasound waves, leveraging a phenomenon known as acoustic cavitation. When ultrasound propagates through the liquid precursor containing the hydrogel monomers, it induces the formation of microscopic gas bubbles. These bubbles undergo rapid expansion and violent collapse, releasing tremendous localized energy. This energy suffices to initiate the polymerization reactions necessary to form the hydrogel network, effectively bypassing the need for extrinsic chemical agents that generate potentially harmful side-products.

Professor Jianyu Li, leading the Mechanical Engineering group at McGill University, emphasizes the transformative potential of this approach: “Our principal motivation was to address the health and environmental hazards posed by conventional chemical initiators. Using ultrasound as a clean energy source, we can catalyze gelation reactions rapidly and without toxic by-products, thus enhancing both safety and sustainability.” Remarkably, this method accelerates hydrogel formation drastically, reducing the synthesis timeline from hours—or overnight polymerization under ultraviolet light—to a matter of mere minutes.

Dubbed “sonogel” technology, this ultrasound-driven fabrication process offers exceptional control over gel properties. Hydrogels synthesized via this technique exhibit enhanced mechanical toughness and flexibility, alongside superior resistance to freezing and dehydration, features critical for maintaining functionality in physiological and extreme environmental conditions. These materials promise to overcome existing limitations in hydrogel stability and longevity, two parameters paramount for long-term biomedical implants and wearable bio-devices.

The biomedical field stands to gain substantially from these advancements, particularly in the arena of minimally invasive therapies. Ultrasound’s intrinsic ability to penetrate soft tissues non-destructively allows for in vivo gelation, whereby a liquid hydrogel precursor can be injected into a target area and then solidified with focused ultrasound. Such in situ formation obviates the need for surgical implantation, mitigating infection risks and reducing patient recovery times. “Imagine localized tissue repair achieved by injecting a biocompatible liquid followed by sonogelation at the precise site of damage,” Professor Li envisions. This capability could revolutionize regenerative medicine, enabling highly localized, controlled healing processes.

Beyond tissue engineering, the sonogel method introduces a paradigm shift in the realm of 3D bioprinting. Traditional bioprinting often relies on photopolymerization triggered by ultraviolet or visible light, which poses depth penetration limitations and potential cell damage. By harnessing high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), researchers can sculpt and solidify hydrogel structures layer by layer with superior depth penetration and spatial precision. Jean Provost, assistant professor of engineering physics at Polytechnique Montréal and co-author of the research, highlights: “Ultrasound enables unparalleled three-dimensional control, facilitating the fabrication of complex, cell-laden architectures previously unattainable with light-based methods.”

Mechanistically, the sonogel formation is contingent upon the regulation of ultrasound parameters—frequency, intensity, and pulse duration—which govern the cavitation dynamics and thus the polymerization kinetics. Precise tuning enables modulation of network density and crosslinking, directly influencing the mechanical and swelling characteristics of the resulting hydrogels. This level of control is vital for tailoring hydrogels for specific biomedical functions, including load-bearing scaffolds in cartilage repair or flexible matrices for neural regeneration.

Furthermore, the ultrasound-driven method mitigates several technical challenges inherent in light-initiated polymerization. The absence of UV exposure avoids associated phototoxicity and degradation of sensitive biological cargo such as proteins, nucleic acids, and cells, preserving their viability and function. This compatibility makes sonogels ideal candidates for embedding living cells during 3D bioprinting, enhancing prospects for producing complex tissue mimetics.

Environmental sustainability is another profound advantage of this ultrasound-based synthesis. By eschewing chemical initiators, the process significantly diminishes the generation of hazardous waste and reduces reliance on specialized reagents derived from petrochemical sources. This aligns with the broader global objective towards greener manufacturing processes in biomaterials and pharmaceuticals. The rapid, energy-efficient gelation further decreases the overall carbon footprint of hydrogel production.

Published in the journal Advanced Science, the study titled “Ultrasound Cavitation Enables Rapid, Initiator-Free Fabrication of Tough Anti-Freezing Hydrogels” presents detailed experimental validations of the sonogel technique. The research team conducted extensive mechanical testing, thermal characterization, and biocompatibility assessments, confirming the superior properties and safety profile of the resulting hydrogels. This work was supported by the NSERC/FRQNT NOVA program, underscoring the significance attributed to innovative green technologies in Canadian scientific funding.

Looking ahead, researchers are optimistic about expanding the versatility of sonogel technology. Ongoing studies aim to explore its compatibility with diverse monomer chemistries, integration with stimuli-responsive elements, and scalability for industrial manufacturing. There is particular excitement around utilizing sonogels as platforms for controlled drug release, bioadhesion in surgical applications, and fabrication of dynamic soft robotic components.

The fusion of ultrasound physics, polymer chemistry, and bioengineering exemplified in this work reflects an interdisciplinary breakthrough that not only enhances material performance but also paves the way for next-generation biomedical devices and therapies. As the scientific community increasingly prioritizes safety, sustainability, and efficacy, the sonogel approach stands out as a revolutionary stride towards meeting these demands in hydrogel science.

Subject of Research: Hydrogel fabrication using ultrasound-induced polymerization without chemical initiators

Article Title: Ultrasound Cavitation Enables Rapid, Initiator-Free Fabrication of Tough Anti-Freezing Hydrogels

Web References: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202416844

References: Yixun Cheng, Jianyu Li, et al., Advanced Science

Keywords

Hydrogels, Ultrasound, Polymer chemistry, Tissue engineering, Sonogel, 3D bioprinting, Acoustic cavitation, Biomedical materials, Initiator-free polymerization, Regenerative medicine

The skin, as the largest organ of the human body, serves as a complex protective barrier against environmental threats such as pathogens, dehydration, and temperature fluctuations. Despite its vital role, the intricate biological mechanisms underpinning skin diseases—including skin cancer, chronic wounds, and autoimmune disorders—remain only partially understood. To bridge this gap, Empa scientists have embarked on an ambitious project in collaboration with clinical partners to engineer a living, multilayered artificial skin model. This model is designed to emulate the intricate architecture and biochemical environment of natural human skin, enabling researchers to simulate disease mechanisms with unprecedented fidelity.

Central to this endeavor is the advancement of hydrogels—polymeric materials capable of retaining large amounts of water—mimicking the extracellular matrix (ECM) that provides structural and biochemical support to cells. The ECM itself is a complex network comprising proteins and glycoproteins that vary between different skin layers, making it essential to replicate these variations accurately to create viable skin constructs. Traditional hydrogels, while useful, present challenges; upon hydration, they frequently swell, altering their shape and impeding the reproduction of skin’s layered morphology. Empa’s latest discovery turns to nature for a solution by harnessing the gelatin extracted from cold-water fish species such as cod, pollock, and haddock.

This particular fish-derived gelatin can be cross-linked swiftly and efficiently into a hydrogel that resists swelling post-fabrication. The materials science team utilized this characteristic to produce a hydrogel matrix that preserves its form during and after 3D bioprinting. The ability to maintain dimensional stability while embedding living skin cells is a major leap forward, facilitating the construction of biomimetic skin that includes the vital dermis, epidermis, and the critical epidermal-dermal junction, often referred to as the basal membrane. Such structural fidelity is crucial for studying cell-cell interactions and pathological changes that occur at these interfaces in various skin conditions.

The employment of 3D printing technology adds another layer of sophistication to this model. This additive manufacturing method facilitates precise spatial arrangement of multiple cell types within the hydrogel, recapitulating the natural heterogeneity of human skin tissue. Three-dimensional bioprinting empowers researchers to place skin cells, extracellular matrix substitutes, and other biomaterials in tailored patterns, closely mirroring the organized complexity of real skin. The technique’s flexibility also enables the integration of multiple polymers and cellular components within a single construct, pushing the envelope of tissue engineering capabilities.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this development is the hydrogel’s compatibility with living cells, which broadens its applications beyond model skin fabrication. By omitting live cells during production, the fish gelatin hydrogel can serve as an advanced wound dressing. Its biological compatibility reduces the likelihood of immune rejection while minimizing risks related to disease transmission that are typically associated with mammalian gelatin derivatives due to evolutionary distances. This positions the material as a safer, more homogeneous alternative to currently available biologically derived dressings.

Moreover, the intrinsic properties of this hydrogel allow it to be customized with precision to meet patient-specific needs. Variables such as thickness, stiffness, and shape can be finely tuned, opening possibilities for highly personalized wound care solutions. Inclusion of therapeutic agents—ranging from antibiotics to growth factors—within the hydrogel matrix is also under consideration, which could transform wound dressings into active treatment systems that accelerate healing and reduce complications.

The inspiration behind leveraging cold-water fish gelatin stems from its evolutionary divergence from mammals, which reduces immunogenic potential. Empa’s interdisciplinary team, operating within the Swiss research initiative SKINTEGRITY.CH, has tapped into this natural resource to yield a biomaterial exhibiting both mechanical resilience and biofunctionality. Their approach aligns with SKINTEGRITY.CH’s mission to elucidate molecular-level skin responses during injury, disease, and healing by providing researchers with more accurate and representative skin models.

Overcoming the technical challenges of producing a non-swelling hydrogel that remains printable using sensitive biological components represents a considerable achievement. Traditional non-swelling hydrogels are often complex to synthesize or incompatible with living cells and 3D printing techniques. Empa researchers circumvent these problems by exploiting natural gelatin’s biocompatibility alongside an innovative cross-linking technique that balances mechanical strength with cellular viability. This symbiosis between material engineering and biological function underscores the potential impact of their work.

Beyond laboratory research, empirical validation and patent protection efforts are underway. The research team has filed a patent application to safeguard their novel hydrogel formulation, aimed at facilitating widespread adoption in both academic and commercial sectors. Future work revolves around completing the development of the living skin model and distributing it to fellow scientists globally, accelerating translational research into skin diseases and therapeutic interventions.

Additionally, the team is intrigued by the peculiar swelling dynamics of their hydrogel, which diverge from typical polymer behavior. Detailed biophysical studies are planned to investigate these phenomena, with expectations that insights gained might inform further optimization not only for skin models but also for other tissue engineering applications requiring stable biomimetic scaffolds.

In sum, Empa’s breakthrough in creating a mechanically robust, non-swelling hydrogel derived from cold-water fish gelatin, optimized for 3D bioprinting, offers transformative possibilities for the future of skin disease research, wound healing, and regenerative medicine. By faithfully replicating the structure and conditions of human skin within a synthetic platform, scientists can explore disease progression, drug responses, and repair mechanisms more effectively and ethically. As this technology matures, it could herald a new era where personalized, bioprinted skin grafts and advanced wound dressings become commonplace tools in clinical settings.

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Subject of Research: Cells

Article Title: Mechanically robust non-swelling cold water fish gelatin hydrogels for 3D bioprinting

News Publication Date: 2-Jun-2025

Web References:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101701

Image Credits: Empa

Keywords

3D bioprinting, cold-water fish gelatin, hydrogel, skin model, extracellular matrix, non-swelling hydrogel, tissue engineering, wound healing, biomaterials, SKINTEGRITY.CH, regenerative medicine, biomimetic skin