Chinese scientists developing pills to slow down ageing

A Chinese biotechnology company, Lonvi Biosciences, is developing health supplements designed to slow the ageing process, according to a report by The New York Times.

The firm, based in southern China, is researching compounds derived from grape seed extract known as procyanidin C1 (PCC1), which early studies suggest could improve cell health.

“It is possible that people could live much longer, and that will become more realistic in the coming years,” said Liu Qinghua, the company’s chief technical officer.

Lonvi Biosciences maintains that its goal is to promote healthier, longer lives rather than the unrealistic notion of immortality.

“It is possible to live up to 150 years [of age] and it will be a reality,” in coming years, the daily quoted Liu Qinghua, a chief technical with Lonvi Biosciences, as saying.

Lonvi Biosciences is engaged in developing a drug that is based on the natural compound procyanidin C1 (PCC1), which is contained in grape seed extract.

Researches by scientists from Shanghai proved that it increases the lifespan of mice by selectively killing senescent cells. However, the research works point out that the company is skeptical about the statements that modern medicine can completely defy the death.