So what would it be like if dogs could live forever - and what if that secret could help their owners live longer, healthier lives too?
A number of companies are now finding common ground between the two goals. Early next year, Loyal, a US biotech startup, is confident that it will bring to market LOY-002, a daily, beef-flavored pill that could give dogs a minimum of one extra year of healthy life.
The San Francisco-based firm has raised $125m (£100m) in funding from companies that have held back from investing in human longevity projects because of the decades those trials would take.
But Celine Halioua, founder and chief executive of Loyal - which is part of Cellular Longevity, a biotech firm - believes its work will benefit humans. "Finding out how to prevent canine age-related decline is a really strong proxy for doing the same with humans because dogs get similar age-related diseases, and share our environments and habits in ways laboratory mice do not," she said.
The LOY-002 pill aims to blunt and reverse metabolic changes associated with aging: reducing frailty by curbing aging-related increases in insulin.
Denne historien er fra December 27, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra December 27, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Amorim asks for survival mode after Wolves loss
Ruben Amorim said Manchester United must adopt survival mode to end their miserable run after a fourth defeat in five Premier League matches dropped them to 14th, eight points above the relegation zone.
'We have to try' Guardiola calls for January signings after Everton draw
Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City board will discuss new signings for the January transfer window this week, the manager said after his team dropped another two points in the 1-1 draw with Everton.
Arteta backs Martinelli to step up after Saka injury
Mikel Arteta is hoping Gabriel Martinelli can help to fill the void created by Bukayo Saka's hamstring injury, with the England forward likely to miss key fixtures including the north London derby next month.
Wilson and Muniz pounce late to cast doubt on Chelsea's title credentials
Perhaps there will be some debate around Fulham's equaliser after 82 minutes of this 2-1 derby win for Marco Silva's team at Stamford Bridge.
Jones and Salah clear path at the top for Liverpool
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Tonali helps Newcastle ease past 10-man Villa
Sandro Tonali has brought Newcastle an abundance of gifts but perhaps foremost among them is the rare ability to slow games down that offers Eddie Howe's high-intensity team the sort of invaluable control they have so often lacked in recent months.
Elanga takes Forest third and deepens Postecoglou's pain
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Haaland's wasted spot-kick adds to Guardiola's gloom
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Fabianski carried off but Bowen edges out Juric's new Saints
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'Rubbish game' but Guéhi content with valuable point
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