Putin declares war on aging with $26 billion vaccine project
Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a $26 billion national health initiative that includes developing the world's first anti-aging vaccine, targeting the RAGE receptor linked to biological aging. The project, which aims to produce the vaccine by 2028–2030, is part of Russia's effort to combat population decline and extend human lifespan. While Russian officials express optimism, the vaccine remains in preclinical stages and has not yet undergone human trials.
- ▪Vladimir Putin ordered the development of an anti-aging vaccine as part of a more than $26 billion national health project.
- ▪Researchers are focusing on a gene therapy that blocks the RAGE receptor, believed to play a role in biological aging.
- ▪Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova stated that Russia plans to begin producing the anti-aging drug between 2028 and 2030.
- ▪The project originated from Mikhail Kovalchuk, a close ally of Putin and head of the Kurchatov Institute, according to an exiled news outlet.
- ▪Human trials for the anti-aging vaccine have not yet been conducted, though animal and lab studies are ongoing.
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World News Putin declares war on aging with $26 billion vaccine project By Jeanne Erickson Published May 2, 2026, 4:51 p.m. ET Youth obsessed Russian strongman Vladimir Putin is now bankrolling the “world’s first” anti-aging vaccine. Putin last week ordered his scientists to develop the forever-young vaccine, part of a budget of more than 2 trillion rubles — equivalent to more than $26 billion — for a national health project that includes the development of an anti-aging vaccine for a country facing a population decline. Putin is 73, and well known to be obsessed with longevity. 3 Russian President Vladimir Putin is obsessed with aging and works hard to stay youthful. via REUTERS The average age of death for a man in Russia is 67, compared to 76.5 in the US.
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