ABU DHABI — Healthcare investment giant M42, backed by Abu Dhabi, has made a strategic investment in Juvenescence, a UK-based biotech company pioneering drugs aimed at extending human lifespans.
Though the exact amount remains undisclosed, the funding values Juvenescence at over $550 million, M42 confirmed in a statement. The investment signals Abu Dhabi’s growing focus on longevity medicine and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in next-generation therapeutic development.
“With Juvenescence, we are unlocking the potential of AI to transform how we discover and deliver drugs, bringing innovative, life-changing therapies to patients worldwide,” said Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, CEO of M42.
The deal also establishes a strategic partnership between the two firms to harness AI for the discovery of life-saving therapeutics and to promote healthier aging worldwide.
Longevity Investment Strategy
The move comes shortly after M42 launched HELM—a new well-being cluster in Abu Dhabi focused on Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine. The investment in Juvenescence aligns with the emirate’s broader ambition to diversify its economy and position itself as a global center for biomedical innovation.
Juvenescence’s co-founders, who include industry veterans Jim Mellon, Greg Bailey, and Declan Doogan, have been involved in some of the most high-profile biopharma deals of the last decade. Their collective portfolio includes the $11.6 billion acquisition of Biohaven by Pfizer in 2022, and their early backing of Medivation, which Pfizer acquired for $14.3 billion.
To date, Juvenescence has attracted nearly $100 million in internal investment and its leadership has contributed to the development and approval of drugs with cumulative peak sales of $30 billion.
M42’s Expanding Global Footprint
The Juvenescence deal follows M42’s $2.5 billion acquisition of Diaverum in 2023, one of Europe’s largest dialysis clinic networks. Under Al Nowais, the company is aiming to build a global AI-powered healthcare leader, streamlining patient care and reducing rising healthcare costs.
M42 also manages the Emirati Genome Programme, a national effort to build a detailed genetic map of the UAE’s population to support early disease detection and prevention. The company’s portfolio includes institutions like Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi, Biogenix Labs, and Amana Healthcare.
“This is not just about extending lifespan—it’s about extending healthy lifespan,” Al Nowais said in an earlier interview. “Our vision is to lead global efforts in AI-led, personalized medicine.”
Abu Dhabi’s Bet on the Future of Medicine
The emirate’s sovereign wealth arm, Mubadala Investment Co., which co-founded M42 alongside G42, has already demonstrated its interest in the longevity space. Mubadala was an early backer of Rejuveron Life Sciences, a Swiss biotech developing anti-aging therapeutics.
The investment in Juvenescence adds further momentum to Abu Dhabi’s ambitious plans to become a hub for precision medicine, biotech innovation, and digital healthcare transformation.
As global demand for anti-aging solutions continues to rise, experts say Abu Dhabi’s early investments in this sector could position it as a frontrunner in the $600+ billion longevity economy.
