British biotech races US’s ‘buff billionaires’ for secret of eternal youth

The UK excels at longevity research'. Could it become part of an industry that fascinates the wealthiest people in the world?

About a decade ago, 125 amateur cyclists from all over the UK filed into the laboratories at King's College London. Aged between 55 and 79, they were there to participate in a long-term study examining how regular physical activity affects the ageing process.

Janet Lord, professor of immune cell biology at Birmingham University, who conducted the study in collaboration with King's professor Steve Harridge, said the team were surprised by some findings when they examined the cyclists' bodies and took blood samples over several years.