Ahead of the sixth TimePie Longevity Forum, Hebe Chen explores China's drive to become a global centre of anti-ageing science and innovation.
As China's population ages rapidly, the development of the longevity industry has been prioritised at the national strategy level since 2024.
To fuel their growth, government policies support a broad spectrum of longevity innovations, ranging from preventive wellness to nutritional supplements. Free Trade Zones, such as those in Shanghai, have opened up to international biotech companies and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, encouraging advanced anti-ageing technologies such as stem cell and gene therapies.
Building on this momentum, the 6th TimePie Longevity Forum will be held in Shanghai on 20-21 September, bringing together global companies, leading academics and industry pioneers alongside key Chinese players. Together they will explore the frontiers of longevity innovation and identify ways to translate science into scalable solutions.
A strong focus on international partnerships
This year, the forum places particular emphasis on fostering international partnerships that connect cutting-edge research with commercial application. With confirmed exhibitors and attendees from more than 16 countries on five continents, the event also acts as a gateway for global longevity companies looking to strategically enter the rapidly expanding Chinese market with a population of 1.4 billion people.
An immersive experience in science, innovation and practice
The forum will bring together more than 40 leading speakers in key fields such as epigenetics, autophagy, regenerative medicine and translational ageing science. Their presentations will offer both cutting-edge scientific knowledge and strategic perspectives on emerging technologies, industry trends and the future of global longevity. Keynote speakers include Steve Horvath and Ana Maria Cuervo.
Adding a practical dimension, a dedicated biohacking sub-forum will highlight pioneers such as Dave Pascoe, who will share longevity strategies based on self-experimentation and real-life application.
To date, more than 1,200 attendees and 30-40 exhibitors from over 16 countries have confirmed their participation. With an exhibition ranging from advanced diagnostics, regenerative medicine and nutritional interventions to clinical longevity services, attendees will be able to experience cutting-edge products and therapies first-hand, while exhibitors will gain a valuable platform to present their innovations, gather user feedback and explore potential partnerships.
Charting the future of longevity medicine in China
The forum will feature the "China Longevity Medical Services Industry Report: Trends, Market Analysis & Future", prepared by TimePie with the support of the Great Health Informatics Research Center of Fudan University, among other academic and industry partners.
The report provides a clear picture of the longevity medical services landscape in China, highlighting key market dynamics, contrasting public and private models, underlining the growing importance of functional medicine and showcasing pioneering regional innovations.
China's longevity medical services sector is growing rapidly. By 2023, 6,877 public hospitals had established geriatrics departments, with government plans to reach 80 % coverage by 2027. Meanwhile, private clinics are growing rapidly to meet the increasing demand for personalised and preventive care. This accelerated growth has brought with it increased complexity in service models, uneven standards of care and unclear institutional roles, creating challenges for both providers and patients.
In response, the report lays the groundwork for collective action. It calls on academic and industry forces to work towards clear standards and best practices in diagnosis, treatment and service delivery, with the aim of building a reliable and scalable longevity clinic ecosystem in China.
Boosting science with strategic support through fellowships
At this year's forum, TimePie will announce the recipients of its first Longevity Research Grant, marking a significant step in converting its influence into direct scientific support.
The programme was launched after the 5th TimePie Longevity Forum in 2024 achieved its first net profit of RMB555,600, thanks to growing international interest, more than 1,000 in-person attendees and 400,000 online views. As promised since the forum's inception, all profits have been reinvested in research to advance the science of healthy ageing.
Open to early-stage scientists from around the world, the fellowship received a solid number of proposals from both China and abroad. Each winning project will receive up to RMB 150,000 in flexible support, under the guidance of a scientific committee including Barry Halliwell and Zhao Wang of Tsinghua University.
Established after achieving profitability in 2024, the fellowship programme channels all proceeds from sponsorships, ticket sales and partnerships directly into longevity research. Open to young scientists from around the world dedicated to advancing anti-ageing science, the programme reflects TimePie's mission to empower the next generation of researchers through meaningful, independent support.
Register now - Book your place at timepielongevityforum.com and use the code LONGEVITY to get a 20 % discount in the checkout process.
