Nanotechnology, cellular reprogramming, and gene therapies were presented as the main research avenues to curb the impact of neurodegenerative diseases during the second day of the Longevity World Forum, the global longevity summit, whose fourth edition is being held from February 18 to 20, 2026 at La Nave (Madrid). The sessions also featured several talks on nutrition and next-generation supplements such as NAD+.
“Nanotechnology is already solving problems in neurodegenerative diseases,” said Valle Palomo, Head of the Biosensors in Neuroscience Laboratory at IMDEA Neurociencia. The chemist explained that one of the main drawbacks of drugs for these conditions is their difficulty in reaching the brain, as they are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. “Some nanotechnology-based solutions have already been introduced to overcome that barrier and to develop sensors capable of diagnosing these diseases at an early stage,” she added.
NAD+ Precursors
Stephan Christen, a metabolomics researcher at Nestlé Research, presented a study published in the latest issue of Nature Metabolism on the impact of two-week supplementation with three NAD+ precursors in healthy adults. Christen also explained the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation, aging, and oxidative stress. “NAD molecules play a role in multiple functions: energy metabolism, circadian rhythm, DNA repair, mitochondrial function, and chronic inflammation,” he noted.
One of the most innovative supplement formulas was introduced by Klok Longevity, featuring the first NAD precursor in liquid gel format, combining six synergistic ingredients (calcium alpha-ketoglutarate, liposomal NAD, quercetin, L-arginine, resveratrol, and rhodiola). Meanwhile, Solgar® – Cellular Energy – NAD+ Precursor is an advanced formulation supplement containing nicotinamide riboside chloride (NIAGEN®), a precursor to NAD+ and a source of niacin (vitamin B3), an essential nutrient that our cells need to produce energy and maintain active metabolism. It also contains vitamins B12 and C.
Gene Therapy for Frailty and Alzheimer’s
Cristina Sánchez Puelles, a researcher at Tetraneuron, presented a gene therapy for frailty and Alzheimer’s disease that is close to being used in patients. “We have completed the preclinical studies and are now in the patient recruitment phase,” she specified.
Regarding cellular reprogramming, Jean-Marc Lemaitre, Research Director at INSERM and co-founder and co-director of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine and Biotherapies (IRMB), stated firmly: “A single early reprogramming intervention can prevent osteoarthritis later in life.”
In another session, Débora Bueno, Director of the Longevity and Microbiota Unit at Olympia, Grupo Quirón Salud, advocated for personalizing recommendations for patients. “We must interpret what we see in microbiota tests in light of clinical history and lifestyle. Limiting microbiota to the digestive sphere is only seeing the tip of the iceberg and its real role in health,” she commented.
The second day opened with a keynote by Pedro Ros, founder of SilverEconomy.com, who provided a global overview of consumption trends among people over 60 and the demographic evolution this age group has experienced over the past six decades. “Life expectancy has increased by more than 20 years during my lifetime. There are currently over 1.2 billion people aged over 60, whereas in the 1960s there were 200 million,” he said. He also highlighted the so-called “silver generation,” which represents 15% of the population but accounts for 27% of total consumption. “This age group, living in the most developed and wealthiest countries, spends more than four trillion dollars on products and services. In healthcare, those under 60 allocate less than 9% of their budget to this sector, but after that age the figure rises to 14%, mainly due to spending on dental, vision, and hearing care,” he pointed out.
Longevity Startup Competition
The final day will focus on entrepreneurship in longevity, featuring the first edition of a startup competition in which eight companies will present their projects in elevator pitch format. Two winners will be selected: the Best Longevity Pitch Award and the Longevity Potential Award.
The sessions will conclude with a talk on longevity entrepreneurship by Leslie Kenny, from Oxford Healthspan, and a roundtable discussion featuring Manuel Pérez Alonso, founding partner and scientific consultant at Mendel Brain; Carolina Hernández, founder and CEO of Longevity Zone; and Ricardo Álvarez, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Spain and Portugal at Plug&Play.
