Singapore has taken another major step in the quest to extend healthspan — the years of life lived in good health — with the opening of a new clinical trial centre at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. The facility, part of the NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity, is dedicated to understanding and slowing the biological processes of ageing through cutting-edge science and precision interventions.
Spanning 350 square metres, the centre houses advanced diagnostic tools to assess factors such as skin, scalp, and body composition. Soon, it will add a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanner, which enables non-invasive measurement of bone density and muscle mass — crucial indicators of health in ageing populations.
According to Professor Andrea B. Maier, director of the academy, the facility’s mission is to move beyond chronological age and focus on biological age — how old the body truly is at a cellular level. “Two people may both be 50, but biologically, they could be very different,” she explained. “Our goal is to measure and understand the pace of ageing — and ultimately, how to slow it down.”
A New Era of Precision Geromedicine
The emerging field of healthy longevity medicine, also known as precision geromedicine, seeks to prevent age-related diseases before they occur. It combines data from genetics, lifestyle, and biomarkers to tailor interventions that keep people healthy for longer.
At the NUS facility, researchers are conducting four clinical trials to better understand how lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise affect ageing. One key study involves a personalised health programme that combines exercise, targeted supplements, and coaching. Twenty volunteers will complete the programme by the end of 2025, including 52-year-old participant Nicholas Singh, who hopes to improve his fitness and resilience through structured training and cognitive exercises.
Another ongoing trial is examining whether daily multivitamin and mineral supplementation can reduce biological ageing markers in middle-aged adults. The study has already enrolled over 200 of the targeted 400 participants.
Part of a National Ecosystem for Longevity Research
This new facility complements a growing network of institutions driving longevity science in Singapore. It joins the Centre for Health Longevity (CHL), led by Professor Brian Kennedy under the National University Health System (NUHS), and the Healthy Longevity Research Clinic at Alexandra Hospital, which opened in 2023. Together, these centres form a collaborative ecosystem working to delay ageing, develop biomarkers, and translate laboratory discoveries into clinical practice.
Educating and Empowering Singaporeans
Beyond research, the NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity also focuses on education, aiming to train the next generation of clinician-scientists in this fast-evolving field. Prof Maier emphasised that the academy was created to “bring good trials and good education to the scene,” helping Singapore position itself as a leader in longevity medicine.
Meanwhile, experts like Dr Laureen Wang, who heads the longevity clinic at Alexandra Hospital, note that Singaporeans are increasingly curious about extending their lifespan and vitality. However, she cautioned that much of the information circulating online is unregulated or oversimplified. Clear frameworks and evidence-based guidance are essential to ensure that the public engages safely and meaningfully with the science of ageing.
The Promise of a Healthier, Longer Life
As populations age worldwide, Singapore’s investment in longevity research underscores a broader shift — from treating disease to preventing decline and enhancing quality of life. With its new facility, NUS Medicine hopes to pioneer new ways of diagnosing, monitoring, and slowing biological ageing, ensuring that longer lives are not just possible, but healthy and fulfilling.
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