China makes progress on the ‘immortality pill’ to live to 150 years

A biotech startup based in Shenzhen, Lonvi Biosciences, says it is developing an anti-aging capsule derived from a grape seed extract molecule known as PCC1 (proanthocyanidin C1).

According to the company, the compound targets so-called “zombie cells”—senescent cells that trigger inflammation and age-related diseases—and could potentially extend human life to 150 years.

Early tests show promise in mice

Reporting from The New York Times notes that Lonvi has already tested PCC1 in mice, finding not only longer lifespans but also improvements in what scientists call healthspan—the period of life spent in good health. Lonvi’s Chief Technology Officer, Lyu Qinghua, told the outlet that “living to 150 is completely realistic” and predicted that “in a few years, it will be real.”

Longevity as a national priority

The company’s research is part of a broader initiative by the Chinese government, which has made longevity science a strategic priority alongside biotechnology and artificial intelligence. Lonvi describes its compound as a step toward preventive therapies that could lower the risk of age-related diseases when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

The firm claims its drug can “continuously strengthen cells” and reduce chronic inflammation. However, Lonvi acknowledges that all studies so far have been conducted only in animals—no peer-reviewed or verified human clinical trials exist yet.

Results in rodents, but skepticism remains

In mice, PCC1 treatment reportedly boosted lifespan anywhere from 9% to 64%, depending on when the animals began taking it. The data suggest the compound may be more effective when administered later in life. Lonvi’s scientists say PCC1 clears out aged cells without harming healthy ones.

Still, many experts remain skeptical. The lack of independent studies and human clinical data raises questions about whether the drug’s dramatic claims can hold up under scientific scrutiny. Even Lonvi concedes that PCC1 is not a ticket to immortality, but rather one piece of a broader biological intervention strategy.

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