Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed $26 billion toward a national research initiative aimed at extending human life, with scientists exploring gene therapy, bioprinting, and xenotransplantation to delay aging.
State-Funded Ambitions for Longevity
Vladimir Putin has long expressed fascination with longevity research. During the November 2025 Sber AI Journey conference, he noted that life expectancy has risen over the centuries and emphasized the goal of reaching 150 years, though he remarked that even this would likely feel insufficient.
To pursue these goals, the Kremlin launched the “New Healthcare Technologies” project in 2024. According to reporting by The Wall Street Journal, Putin has committed $26 billion to the initiative, which focuses on gene therapies to slow cellular aging and technologies to measure biological age.
Advanced Biological Research Efforts
Scientists involved in the project are prioritizing bioprinting, specifically the 3D printing of living tissue. Russian researchers claim to have already reproduced human cartilage and mouse thyroid tissue, with the goal of replacing human organs by 2030.
The project also explores xenotransplantation—the transplanting of cells, tissues, or organs between species. Reports indicate that Russia is particularly interested in growing human organs within miniature pigs, targeting significant breakthroughs by the end of the decade.
Key Figures and Skepticism
The initiative is overseen by individuals close to Putin, including his daughter, endocrinologist Maria Vorontsova, and Mikhail Kovalchuk, the head of the Kurchatov Institute. While the Kremlin asserts that numerous research institutions are participating, critics note a lack of international peer-reviewed publications.
Russian scientist Aleksander Ostrowski, a pioneer in bioprinting, remains skeptical of the current progress. He argues that without credible publications, the claims should be treated as mere aspirations rather than proven scientific results.