FDA Grants Emergency Authorization for Mitochondrial Transplant in Billionaire Ackman's Daughter

Lucy, 26, collapsed in her Brooklyn apartment in February after suffering a brain hemorrhage that left her unable to move, speak or see. Ackman rushed her to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and consulted a network of well-connected friends around the world. He also vowed to spend more than $400 million to launch an institute dedicated to longevity and brain health, motivated by a newfound desire to accelerate scientific research.

Mitochondrial transplantation, the experimental therapy Lucy received, has been gaining traction among longevity enthusiasts seeking ways to prolong human life. It is of interest not only to people who have suffered injuries but also to scientists studying aging. Daria Mochly-Rosen, a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and co-author of "The Life Machines: How Taking Care of Your Mitochondria Can Transform Your Health," said mitochondria serve as clearinghouses for damaged cells, opening the possibility that they help with cell regeneration and healing. "I am one of those who believes that focusing on mitochondrial health is a way to address many human diseases, including aging itself. It's exciting," she said.

Ackman's story highlights the increasingly prominent role of the ultra-wealthy in making expensive medical bets on longevity treatments and other novel therapies, altering the direction of research as federal funding for science declines under the second Trump administration. His focus aligns with similar efforts from Silicon Valley figures: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has backed Retro Biosciences, a start-up aiming to add 10 healthy years to the human lifespan through cellular reprogramming. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly a funder of Altos Labs, which focuses on cellular rejuvenation and resilience. Billionaire investor Peter Thiel, Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison have also invested deeply in life-extension methods.