Russian scientists are working on what officials describe as the world's first 'vaccine against aging,' a gene therapy drug designed to slow cellular aging. Denis Sekirinsky, deputy minister of science and higher education, revealed the details Thursday at a healthy longevity conference in Saransk.

The treatment targets the RAGE receptor, which triggers cellular aging when activated. "The RAGE gene is a receptor whose activation launches the aging of the cell. Blocking this gene, on the contrary, can prolong its youth," Sekirinsky said, according to state news agency TASS. The project, led by the Institute of Aging Biology and Medicine, aims to create the first gene therapy specifically to block this receptor.

This effort falls under the New Technologies for Health Preservation National Project, launched in 2025 on President Vladimir Putin's instructions with a budget exceeding 2 trillion rubles ($26.4 billion). The initiative addresses Russia's demographic challenges, including a shrinking and aging population, where average life expectancy for men stands around 67 years.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova stated earlier that Russia plans to begin producing anti-aging drugs between 2028 and 2030. "What some time ago we could describe as an incredible future is now becoming reality," she said.

The announcement comes months after Putin addressed the AI Journey conference in Moscow on November 19, 2025. There, he suggested humans could live to 150 years old. "It is probably possible to extend it up to 150 years," he said, adding that even that might not be enough. Putin, who is 73, has prioritized longevity research amid speculation about his health and leadership succession.

The project aligns with broader Kremlin-backed biotechnology efforts, including those overseen by Mikhail Kovalchuk, head of the Kurchatov Institute and a Putin ally focused on genetics and longevity. While preclinical stages continue, no human trial details have been disclosed yet.

Russia's push reflects global interest in anti-aging science, though experts caution that significant human lifespan extension remains unproven.