As the percentage of the global population over 65 continues to increase, the popularity of anti-aging stocks is rising in tandem thanks to advancements in technology and a growing body of research on human longevity.
The desire to increase life quality and expectancy is what drives the top anti-aging stocks in the life science space as they pursue technologies and therapies aimed at slowing the aging process and preserving health. Age-related diseases are a main focus of this sector, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and osteoarthritis.
Analysts are expecting the longevity and anti-aging therapy sector to develop into a multibillion-dollar industry in the coming years. It had an estimated market value of US$600 million in 2023, and Verified Market Reports is projecting that value to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 18 percent through 2030 to reach US$3.6 billion.
For those considering which anti-aging stocks to invest in, below is a brief overview of five NASDAQ-listed stocks with market caps under US$500 million. All company figures were current as of January 21, 2025.
1. Pacific Biosciences of California (NASDAQ:PACB)
Market cap: US$464.2 million
Pacific Biosciences of California (PacBio) is a leading life science technology company developing and manufacturing advanced genetic sequencing solutions for use in scientific and clinical research. Understanding the human genome and basic building blocks of human life is a large part of developing life-prolonging therapies.
The company’s products include its HiFi long-read sequencing technologies and its SBB short-read sequencing technologies. Its products apply to a wide range of research applications, such as human germline sequencing, plant and animal sciences, infectious disease, microbiology and oncology.
PacBio’s sequencing products are also helping other life science companies and public health agencies advance their own product pipelines. For example, genomic services and solutions firm Novogene is using PacBio’s Revio long-read sequencing system to expand the genomic research abilities of its Munich, Germany-based lab.
In October 2024, PacBio announced a cancer genomics collaboration with the National Cancer Centre of Singapore that will involve the company’s Onso short-read sequencing system and Kinnex long-read sequencing kit to better profile the prevalent cancers in Asia for developing precision oncology diagnostics and treatments.
2. Voyager Therapeutics (NASDAQ:VYGR)
Market cap: US$288.42 million
Voyager Therapeutics is a biotech company focused on applying its knowledge of human genetics to advance neurogenetic medicines. Voyager’s drug development partners include AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN), Novartis Pharma AG and Neurocrine Biosciences (NASDAQ:NBIX).
Its program pipeline consists of therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, ALS and Parkinson’s disease, among multiple other central nervous system diseases. These programs are based on its TRACER AAV capsid discovery platform, an RNA-based screening platform that speeds up the discovery time for new gene therapies.
In November 2024, Voyager announced it ‘selected a lead development candidate, VY1706, for its tau silencing gene therapy program in Alzheimer’s disease.’ The company is looking to 2026 to file an investigational new drug (IND) application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a clinical trial application with Health Canada for the neuro gene-therapy development candidate.
3. ITeos Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ITOS)
Market cap: US$282.04 million
ITeos Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company in Massachusetts, US, developing immuno-oncology therapeutics. The three programs at the top of the company’s pipeline target cancer resistance mechanisms: EOS-448 (belrestotug), its anti-TIGIT antibody co-developed and co-commercialized with British multinational pharma GSK (NYSE:GSK); EOS-984, a potential first-in-class small molecule in oncology inhibiting ENT1; and EOS-215, a potential best-in-class anti-TREM2 monoclonal antibody.
ITeos recently unveiled its strategic priorities and anticipated milestones for 2025. As early as the first quarter of the year, the company expects to submit an IND application for EOS-215. In the second half of 2025, iTeos is looking to release data from its EOS-984 Phase 1 trial for monotherapy and PD-1 in combination in patients with advanced solid tumors.
Throughout the year, the company expects a number of clinical data readouts, including from two Phase 2 trials and one Phase 1/2 assessing belrestotug in combination with GSK’s dostarlimab. The Phase 2 trials also assess the medicines as a triplet with GSK’s investigational anti-CD96 antibody nelistotug.
4. Anika Therapeutics (NASDAQ:ANIK)
Market cap: US$242.09 million
Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Anika Therapeutics is focused on advancements in early intervention orthopedic care and joint preservation. The company is developing minimally invasive products that leverage its expertise in hyaluronic acid and implants to restore active living for patients. Its product pipeline targets areas including age-related and injury-related fields such as osteoarthritis pain management, regenerative solutions and sports medicine.
In its Q3 2024 financial report, Anika highlighted strong revenue growth of 17 percent for its Regenerative Solutions business, driven by more than 40 percent sequential growth in the Integrity Implant System.
Looking forward, one of Anika’s key goals is the US launch of Hyalofast, the company’s single stage, off the shelf hyaluronic acid cartilage repair product.
“(W)e are intensely focused on launching Hyalofast by 2026 to treat the $1 billion U.S. addressable market. We filed the first Hyalofast FDA PMA module on-time in October and the final module will be filed in 2025,” Cheryl R. Blanchard, Anika Therapeutics president and CEO, stated in the release.
5. Ocugen (NASDAQ:OCGN)
Market cap: US$220.47 million
Pennsylvania’s Ocugen is working to bring to market gene and cell therapies for the treatment of ocular and orthopedic conditions.
Its product pipeline includes OCU400, which received orphan drug designation. It is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials for treatment of retinitis pigmentosa, and is being tested on a group of patients with RHO mutations and a group with other related gene-mutations.
Ocugen is also developing OCU410, a modifier gene therapy targeting geographic atrophy, an advanced stage of dry age-related macular degeneration. It leverages a nuclear hormone receptor gene called RORA and is a single sub-retinal injection that has the potential to be a one-time therapy for life. According to the company, current treatment options require 6 to 12 doses per year.
In early 2025, Ocugen announced significant progress in its Phase 1/2 OCU410 clinical trial, including positive two-year preliminary safety and efficacy data.
Another therapy in Ocugen’s pipeline is NEOCART, a regenerative cell therapy for the treatment of articular cartilage defects in the knee that can lead to osteoarthritis. The company intends to launch the Phase 3 trial for NEOCART once it can secure adequate funding.
FAQs for longevity and anti-aging
Will we be able to reverse aging in the future?
While research on reverse aging is growing, an article in Popular Science throws cold water on those dreaming of turning back the clock on their bodies. Studies on reversing age have mostly focused on aging mice — not humans — and Popular Science says research on humans will be necessary to see promise in this field.
Which billionaire is trying to reverse aging?
While not a billionaire, Tech CEO Bryan Johnson is reportedly spending up to US$2 million per year on medical tests and various procedures aimed at reversing his body’s natural aging process. However, longevity experts don’t think he has discovered the proverbial fountain of youth.
What is the latest anti-aging cell technology?
The latest anti-aging cell therapy uses CAR-T cells, a type of white blood cell that help bolster the immune system. CAR stands for chimeric antigen receptor and researchers believe that they can reprogram these cells to become cancer killers or even reverse cellular aging.
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.