Calico

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Calico is a biotechnology company that is focused on understanding the biology that controls lifespan and applying this knowledge to devise interventions that enable people to lead longer and healthier lives. Officially named Calico Life Sciences LLC, it is an independent subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. Since its founding in 2013, Calico has embarked on a mission to harness advanced technologies to increase our understanding of the genetics of aging and explore new ways to potentially extend human life.

History

Calico was announced in September 2013, with its formation spearheaded by Bill Maris, then CEO of Google Ventures, and supported by Larry Page, co-founder of Google. The company's establishment was met with significant interest due to its ambitious goal of tackling aging, a universal and complex process. Arthur D. Levinson, former CEO of Genentech and chairman of Apple Inc., was appointed as CEO and chairman of Calico.

Research Focus

The research at Calico is multidisciplinary, combining the fields of molecular biology, genetics, drug discovery, and computational biology to understand the science of aging and find potential therapeutic interventions. The company collaborates with academic and industrial partners to accelerate its research. Notable collaborations include those with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and pharmaceutical giant AbbVie.

Projects and Achievements

While much of Calico's research remains confidential, public disclosures indicate a broad interest in age-related diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular disease. The partnership with AbbVie, for example, focuses on developing and commercializing new therapies for diseases related to aging. Calico also explores the role of biomarkers in aging and the potential for genetic engineering and artificial intelligence (AI) to uncover new insights into the biological mechanisms of aging.

Criticism and Challenges

The ambitious nature of Calico's mission has been met with both excitement and skepticism. Critics argue that the complexity of aging and the myriad factors that influence it may make the goal of significantly extending human lifespan a distant prospect. Additionally, there are ethical considerations regarding the societal impact of extending life expectancy, including overpopulation and the equitable distribution of anti-aging therapies.

Future Directions

As Calico continues its research, the company remains at the forefront of the growing field of longevity science. Its work could lead to breakthroughs in understanding aging, potentially resulting in novel therapies that extend healthy lifespan and improve the quality of life for aging populations.