Buck Institute Launches $34.5M THRIVE Program to Create FDA-Grade Aging Score
Stanford-Buck coalition develops intrinsic capacity score to quantify aging and test interventions through YMCA partnerships.
Summary
The Buck Institute partnered with Stanford to secure up to $34.5 million from ARPA-H for the THRIVE program, which aims to develop an FDA-grade 'Intrinsic Capacity Score' to measure age-related functional decline. The initiative will use decentralized trials and YMCA interventions to test aging biomarkers and create standardized metrics for healthspan assessment.
Detailed Summary
The Buck Institute for Research on Aging has announced major initiatives to advance aging research and healthspan measurement. The Stanford-led THRIVE coalition, including Buck Institute, secured up to $34.5 million from ARPA-H to develop an FDA-grade 'Intrinsic Capacity Score' that quantifies age-related functional decline.
The THRIVE program will conduct decentralized trials through YMCA partnerships to test interventions and validate aging biomarkers. This approach aims to create standardized metrics for measuring healthspan that could be used in clinical practice and research.
Additionally, Buck Institute launched Healthspan Horizons on March 5, 2026, an initiative integrating long-term health data with artificial intelligence to better measure and extend healthy years. This addresses critical gaps in tracking healthspan amid rising chronic disease rates.
Buck Institute President Eric Verdin recently predicted that efficacious anti-aging drugs will be available by 2030, with testing focused on intrinsic capacity markers. These developments represent a significant shift toward quantifiable, standardized approaches to aging research and intervention.
The initiatives position Buck Institute at the forefront of translating aging research into practical clinical tools, potentially revolutionizing how we measure and address age-related decline.
Key Findings
- ARPA-H awarded up to $34.5M for developing FDA-grade aging measurement tools
- THRIVE program will test interventions through YMCA community partnerships
- Healthspan Horizons integrates AI with health data to track healthy years
- Buck president predicts anti-aging drugs available by 2030
- Focus on creating standardized intrinsic capacity scoring systems
Methodology
The THRIVE program will use decentralized trial design conducted through YMCA facilities to test aging interventions. Healthspan Horizons employs AI integration with longitudinal health data to develop new measurement approaches.
Study Limitations
Summary based on press release information only, without access to detailed study protocols. Timeline for drug development predictions and specific validation methods for the intrinsic capacity score remain unclear.
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