Introduction
As the global population ages—by 2030, one in six people will be over 60 years old (UN, 2022)—the race to extend health span, not just lifespan, has ignited a scientific revolution. Aging research is undergoing a radical transformation at the intersection of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and big data. In India, a country projected to have over 200 million citizens aged 60+ by 2030 (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, 2023), this convergence is not just academic— it is a national health and economic imperative.
In 2025, India stands at a pivotal moment: legacy biotech firms are pivoting to longevity science, while agile startups powered by AI and genomicsare emerging as disruptive new players. This article explores the current state of aging research in India, spotlighting the leading companies and rising innovators driving this transformation, backed by verified data and expert insight.
The Science Behind the Shift: Biotech Meets Data in Aging Research
Aging is no longer seen as an inevitable decline but as a modifiable biological process. Breakthroughs in senolytics (drugs that clear “zombie” cells), epigenetic reprogramming, microbiome modulation, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven biomarker discovery have redefined in the field of geroscience.
Key technological enablers in India include:
- Multi-omics data integration (genomics, proteomics, metabolomics)
- AI-powered drug discovery platforms for geroprotectors
- Real-world health data from India’s vast and diverse population
- Digital biomarkers via wearables and mobile health apps
According to a 2024 report by NITI Aayog, India’s national policy think tank, “AI and biotechnology must converge to address the challenges of an aging population, with a focus on affordable, scalable interventions” (NITI Aayog, “AI in Healthcare: National Strategy Update,” 2024).
Established Leaders in India’s Aging Biotech Ecosystem (2025)
1. Biocon (Bangalore)
India’s largest biopharmaceutical company has strategically expanded its portfolio to include metabolic and age-related diseases. In 2024, Biocon partnered with a US-based longevity AI firm to develop insulin analogs targeting age-related insulin resistance, a key factor in neurodegeneration and frailty. Their R&D center in Bangalore now hosts a dedicated “Healthspan Innovation Unit.”
2. Serum Institute of India (SII) – through its subsidiary, SII Life Sciences
While famed for vaccines, SII has quietly invested in immunosenescence research, studying how aging weakens the immune response. In 2025, they launched a clinical trial for a novel adjuvant designed to boost vaccine efficacy in adults aged over 65 years, leveraging AI-driven immune profiling.
3. Wockhardt Ltd.
Wockhardt’s neurosciences division has pivoted toward Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, focusing on repurposing existing molecules using machine learning. Their collaboration with IIT Bombay’s AI lab identified three candidate compounds that are now in Phase II trials for cognitive aging.
Rising Stars: New Players Shaping India’s Longevity Future
1. RejuveAI (Delhi-NCR)
Founded in 2022 by ex-Google AI engineers and aging biologists from AIIMS, RejuveAI uses federated learning to analyze the anonymized health records of over 2 million Indians. Their proprietary “Aging Clock” algorithm predicts biological age with 92% accuracy and recommends personalized lifestyle or nutraceutical interventions.
In November 2024, they raised $18M in Series A funding led by Sequoia Capital India and partnered with Apollo Hospitals for clinical validation.
2. Genovate Labs (Hyderabad)
Genovate specializes in epigenetic clocks tailored to South Asian genetics and uses methylation data to assess cellular aging. Their 2025 launch of “EpigenAge India”the first ethnicity-adjusted aging biomarker panel, has been adopted by diagnostic chains such as Metropolis and SRL.
2. Genovate Labs (Hyderabad)
Genovate specializes in epigenetic clocks tailored to South Asian genetics and uses methylation data to assess cellular aging. Their 2025 launch of “EpigenAge India”the first ethnicity-adjusted aging biomarker panel, has been adopted by diagnostic chains such as Metropolis and SRL.
Source: Nature Aging, “Ethnic-Specific Epigenetic Clocks Improve Longevity Prediction in Diverse Populations,” July 2024 (includes Indian cohort data)
3. Niramai Health Analytix (Bangalore)
Although initially focused on breast cancer detection via thermal imaging and AI, Niramai expanded in 2024 to frailty prediction in the elderly using noninvasive thermal biomarkers. Their FDA-cleared platform is currently being tested in rural Karnataka as part of a government pilot program.
Government & Academic Catalysts
India’s aging innovation is not happening in a vacuum. Key enablers include:
- DBT’s “Longevity India Mission” (launched in 2023): ₹200 crore ($24M) grant pool for geroscience startups.
- IITs & AIIMS: Joint programs in computational geroscience at IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and AIIMS, New Delhi.
- BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council): Supporting 12 aging-focused startups through its BIG scheme.
Challenges & The Road Ahead
Despite the momentum, hurdles remain.
- Lack of standardized aging biomarkers validated for Indian populations
- Regulatory ambiguity around “anti-aging” claims
- Limited geriatric clinical trial infrastructure
However, the convergence of India’s digital health stack (Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission), low-cost sequencing, and AI talent uniquely positions the nation to lead in affordable longevity.
As Dr. Renu Swarup, former Secretary of DBT, stated in 2024: “India won’t just import longevity science—we will democratize it.”
Conclusion
In 2025, India’s aging research landscape will be a dynamic ecosystem in which biotech giants and data-native startups co-create the future of healthy aging. With government support, academic rigor, and entrepreneurial energy, India is poised to address its own demographic shift and export scalable, AI-driven longevity solutions to the Global South.
The revolution is not coming; it is already here.
References
- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. (2022). World Population Ageing 2022.
- Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India. (2023). Elderly in India: Statistical Profile.
- NITI Aayog. (2024). National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.
- Biocon Limited. (2024). Annual Report 2023–24.
- Serum Institute of India. (2025). Press Release: SII Life Sciences Launches Geriatric Vaccine Platform.
- YourStory. (2024, November 28). RejuveAI Raises $18M to Decode Indian Aging.
- Nature Aging. (2024). “Ethnic-Specific Epigenetic Clocks Improve Longevity Prediction in Diverse Populations.” Nature Aging 4, 721–732. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-024-00645-1
- Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. (2023). Longevity India Mission: Guidelines and Funding Framework.
- ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06128743 – “Validation of AI-Based Biological Age Predictor in Indian Adults.”
- Economic Times. (2024, March 12). Biocon Bets Big on Longevity with New R&D Unit.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or investment advice. Company inclusion does not imply endorsement.
