Aging-US proudly sponsored the NOVA (Neuroscience of Vitality and Aging) Conference, hosted by the Aging Initiative on Saturday, April 25 in Boston, MA.
Highlights from the NOVA (Neuroscience of Vitality and Aging) Conference
On April 25, 2026, the NOVA (Neuroscience of Vitality and Aging) Conference brought together a dynamic and interdisciplinary audience in Boston, MA. With over 600 attendees spanning students, researchers, clinicians, investors, and patient advocates, the event highlighted both the complexity of brain aging and the growing momentum behind efforts to better understand and treat neurodegenerative diseases.
In the opening keynote, Dr. Joanne Smikle of the American Brain Foundation emphasized the need to remember the “why” behind this research. She highlighted the power of intentional collaboration and the belief that breakthroughs in one neurological disease may translate to others. Even small monthly contributions as little as $10.00 can collectively drive meaningful progress.
Clinical Progress in Neurodegeneration
Dr. John Sims of Eli Lilly & Company, noted that traditional measures, such as clinical dementia ratings, may be too blunt to capture early cognitive decline. Emerging approaches, such as learning-based assessments and digital cognitive tools, aim to detect subtle changes sooner and more accurately.
Studying the Biology of Brain Aging with New Tools
This breakout session showcased cutting-edge tools transforming how scientists study the aging brain. Researchers included Dr. Stuart Lipton from Scripps Research, Dr. Eric Sun from MIT, Dr. Jiang He from Vizgen, Dr. Ed Boyden from the McGovern Institute at MIT, and Dr. David Salat from Harvard Medical School. Overall, the researchers are focused on causal models, the importance of needing more high-quality data, and spatial mapping technologies to better understand cellular interactions and disease mechanisms. Additionally, continued advances in molecular imaging, organoid development, and neuroimaging enable more detailed insights into how the brain changes over time. The speakers did stress the importance of rigor (particularly in validating experimental models and ensuring data quality) to draw any meaningful conclusions.
Mainstage Presentations
These presentations highlighted both the promise and challenges of advancing longevity science. Raiany Romanni-Klein of Amaranth emphasized a critical paradox: while human lifespan continues to increase, many individuals spend more years in declining health. From an investment perspective, Michael Reisman of Centerview Partners and Second Century Foundation noted that longevity science is increasingly attracting attention from the financial sector. While past biotech ventures in aging have seen mixed outcomes, the field continues to evolve, with increasing focus on translating biological insights into real-world interventions.
Neurotechnology and Brain-Computer Interfaces
One of the most forward-looking discussions centered on neurotechnology and brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), panelists included Christian Howell of Cognito Therapeutics, Dr. Oliver Armitage from Axoft, Dr. Daniel Rizzuto of Nia Therapeutics, Dr. Alan Mardinly from Science Corp., and Dr. Leigh Hochberg from BrainGate and Massachusetts General Hospital.
The speakers described emerging approaches that use sensory stimulation or implantable devices to preserve or restore brain function. Innovations in this space are already demonstrating tangible benefits. Early studies suggest that closed-loop neurostimulation systems may significantly improve memory performance, while implantable BCIs are enabling patients with severe impairments to communicate and interact with their environment. Despite these advances, challenges remain, including regulatory pathways, reimbursement models, the need for scalable and patient-centered deployment, and collaboration in terms of sharing ideas between industries and regulators, in technology, and throughout our community.
Still, the outlook is promising. As Dr. Hochberg noted, the field is moving quickly, envisioning a future where, in just ten years, patients with conditions such as ALS may retain the ability to communicate through advanced neurotechnologies.
Investment Landscape
The conference also explored the evolving investment landscape in aging and longevity science. Speakers of this panel included Dr. Alex Colville of age1, Dr. Daniel Carbonero from PsyMed Ventures, Dr. Jarod Rutledge from Starbloom Capital, and Karen Harris from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.
Although previous biotech efforts have yielded mixed results, confidence is growing that targeting the biology of aging is both scientifically feasible and financially promising. Investors emphasized the importance of strong founding teams and highlighted areas of interest such as neuroinflammation, genetic medicine, and biomarker development. Blood-based biomarkers, in particular, were identified as critical tools for improving clinical trial design and patient stratification.
Repair and Regeneration
Panelists of this important discussion included Dr. Mark Tomishima of BlueRock Therapeutics, Dr. Jean Hebert from ARPA-H, Dr. Nabiha Saklayen of Cellino, Dr. Parastoo Khoshakhlagh of GC Therapeutics, and Dr. Abdulkader Rahmo from SMS Biotech, Inc.
Speakers on repair and regeneration highlighted the potential of cell and tissue-based therapies to address age-related decline. Advances in automation, scalability, and precision are making neuroreplacement strategies more feasible, though cost and access remain significant challenges, and prevention remains key.
Equally important was the focus on patient advocacy. Speakers stressed the need to incorporate patient and caregiver perspectives into research and clinical trials, ensuring that scientific progress aligns with real-world needs and experiences.
Patient Advocacy
A powerful breakout session on patient advocacy emphasized the importance of integrating lived experiences into research and clinical development.
Kevin Rhodes of the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), who is living with frontotemporal dementia, highlighted the session as he underscored the challenges of diagnosis and access. With advanced imaging often required for confirmation, many patients face barriers to timely diagnosis. He emphasized the need for stronger connections between patients and biotechnology companies, enabling researchers to better understand patient needs while helping individuals identify and access clinical trials.
The perspectives discussed overall highlighted a critical shift in the field: advancing brain aging research will require not only scientific innovation, but also meaningful engagement with the individuals most directly affected.
Looking Ahead
The conference concluded with a keynote by Dr. Dennis Selkoe from the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, discussing the biology of Alzheimer’s disease and ongoing efforts to target amyloid-related mechanisms through immunotherapy. With millions affected worldwide, the urgency of advancing effective treatments remains clear.
Next year’s event will be the Cardiovascular Aging Research & Development (CARD) Symposium on May 6, 2027, with Opening Keynote Speaker Dr. John Maraganore of Alnylam.
Overall, the NOVA Conference highlighted a field that is rapidly evolving and is driven by technological innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a shared commitment to improving outcomes for aging populations. As research continues to advance, the integration of science, investment, and patient engagement will be essential to translating discoveries into meaningful impact.
Our Continued Commitment to Advancing Aging Research
Founded in 2008 by visionary scientists—the late Dr. Mikhail (Misha) Blagosklonny, the late Dr. Judith Campisi, and Dr. David Sinclair, Aging-US was created as a journal by scientists, for scientists, to publish innovative ideas and studies in the rapidly developing field of aging research. Since then, it has remained dedicated to advancing the understanding of aging and age-related diseases.
Supporting initiatives such as the NOVA Conference reflects our belief that progress in aging science depends on collaboration, mentorship, and the open exchange of ideas between academia, industry, and young innovators. By investing in the next generation of researchers, we aim to accelerate discoveries that will lead to longer, healthier lives for all.
Sponsoring this initiative is more than an investment, it’s a commitment to the future of aging science and to the vision of a world where longevity and well-being advance hand in hand.
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