Abu Dhabi's healthcare champion M42 has made a strategic investment in UK-based longevity specialist Juvenescence, valued at over $550 million, as part of its expansion into AI-powered drug discovery and development. The undisclosed investment amount marks M42's first significant move into pharmaceutical research and development.
"With Juvenescence, we are unlocking the potential of AI to transform the way we discover and deliver drugs, bringing innovative, life-changing therapies to patients worldwide," said M42 Chief Executive Officer Hasan Jasem Al Nowais in a statement.
The partnership will focus on developing products that extend healthy lifespans and improve treatments for chronic diseases, combining M42's AI capabilities with Juvenescence's expertise in longevity medicine.
Strategic Alignment with Abu Dhabi's Healthcare Vision
The investment aligns with Abu Dhabi's broader strategy to diversify its economy through healthcare innovation. M42, established through the combination of healthcare assets from two Abu Dhabi investment firms, is positioning itself as an AI-powered healthcare champion with global ambitions.
Under Al Nowais' leadership, M42 aims to tackle spiraling healthcare costs through technological innovation. The company recently announced plans to build an advanced cancer treatment center in Abu Dhabi and serves as the custodian of data collected from the Emirati Genome Programme, which maps health records of the local population to prevent and treat chronic illnesses.
Juvenescence's Proven Track Record
Juvenescence brings significant pharmaceutical expertise to the partnership. The company's development team has previously been instrumental in securing approvals for medicines totaling $30 billion in peak annual sales.
The company's co-founders—Jim, Greg, and Declan—have personally invested almost $100 million in Juvenescence and have led two of the biggest biopharmaceutical deals in the last decade. This includes the May 2022 acquisition of Biohaven by Pfizer for $11.6 billion, after initially purchasing 54% of Biohaven for just $3.5 million.
Growing Interest in Longevity Medicine
This investment represents a growing trend of Abu Dhabi entities investing in longevity research. Mubadala, another prominent Abu Dhabi investment vehicle, has previously pledged support to Swiss biotech firm Rejuveron Life Sciences, which develops drugs targeting the effects of aging.
M42's portfolio includes prestigious healthcare institutions such as the Abu Dhabi outpost of Cleveland Clinic, Amana Healthcare, Biogenix Labs, and Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi. This extensive healthcare network provides potential clinical pathways for testing and implementing therapies developed through the Juvenescence partnership.
AI-Driven Pharmaceutical Development
The collaboration specifically emphasizes artificial intelligence as a transformative tool in drug discovery. By combining M42's AI capabilities with Juvenescence's pharmaceutical expertise, the partnership aims to accelerate the development of novel therapies that address age-related diseases and extend healthy lifespans.
This approach could potentially reduce the time and cost associated with traditional drug development, allowing for more efficient identification of promising compounds and therapeutic targets related to aging and chronic disease.
Implications for Global Healthcare
The M42-Juvenescence partnership represents a significant step in the globalization of longevity research and AI-driven pharmaceutical development. As populations worldwide continue to age, the demand for therapies that extend healthy lifespans and reduce the burden of chronic diseases is expected to grow substantially.
By positioning itself at the intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare, and longevity research, M42 is pursuing a forward-looking strategy that addresses one of the most significant healthcare challenges of the coming decades.
