Note: This story originally appeared on @theU.

The University of Utah, one of the nation’s leading research universities and a premiere R1 institution in the region, has partnered with XPRIZE, the world’s leader in designing and operating large-scale incentive competitions to solve humanity’s grand challenges, to improve healthy aging and close the gap between life and health expectancy through XPRIZE Healthspan. The $101 million, 7-year global competition will leverage the U’s Utah Data Coordinating Center (DCC) to validate the science of competing XPRIZE Healthspan teams, who are working toward a goal of extending health spans for aging populations.

This global initiative represents one of the most ambitious efforts yet to rethink how we approach aging, and the U is proud to be an important partner. “We believe innovation must serve humanity,” said Taylor Randall, president of the U. “Our partnership with XPRIZE Healthspan reflects our deep commitment to accelerating discovery and enhancing quality of life. With the support of our Utah Data Coordinating Center, this bold effort seeks to transform the way we understand and experience aging.”

Launched in 2023, XPRIZE Healthspan incentivizes teams to develop a proactive, accessible therapeutic that restores muscle, cognition and immune function by a minimum of 10 years, with an ambitious goal of 20 years, in persons aged 50-80 years, in one year or less. “Partnering with the University of Utah marks a pivotal milestone in our mission,” added Jamie Justice, executive director, XPRIZE Healthspan. “Their expertise and the support through the Utah DCC will be instrumental to our teams progress as they undergo rigorous clinical trials in the years ahead.”

Click here to read the full article on @theU’s website.

Related article: Utah DCC to Help Lead Global Effort to Extend Healthy Aging Through XPRIZE