# Retro Biosciences raises at $1.8B as Alzheimer's trial advances
> Altman-backed longevity firm marks down from a mooted $5B but its first pill clears early safety; data due ~August

**Meta:** type: event · date: 2026-05-22 · heads: El dinero de quién, El juego largo · 6 takes · 3 lenses · 2 regions

## Summary

[Retro Biosciences](/es/entity/retro-biosciences), the cellular-rejuvenation company backed by OpenAI CEO [Sam Altman](/es/entity/sam-altman), announced on 22 May 2026 a funding round valuing it at $1.8B, a markdown from the ~$5B figure floated in late 2025. Its first clinical trial, a pill designed to help clear protein aggregates in [Alzheimer's](/es/entity/alzheimers) patients, has shown no dose-limiting toxicities; CEO Joe Betts-LaCroix said data should come around August. Retro pursues a mix of in-vivo [gene therapies](/es/entity/gene-therapy), cell-replacement and aggregate-clearance approaches toward a goal of adding 10 healthy years to human lifespan. Altman's ~$180M investment carried a ~$258M stake value in May 2026 court filings. Retro competes with Altos Labs in [longevity](/es/entity/longevity) biology.

## By the numbers

- $1.8B, new valuation (down from a ~$5B figure floated late 2025).
- ~$180M, Sam Altman's cumulative investment; ~$258M stake value (May 2026 filings).
- ~August 2026, expected first Alzheimer's trial data.
- 10 years, healthy-lifespan extension target.
- 0, dose-limiting toxicities reported so far.

## Why it matters

Retro's markdown is a barometer for the longevity sector after 2025's hype: capital is still flowing but at sober prices. A clinical Alzheimer's signal from an aging-focused firm would be the field's first real human-efficacy data point, and would reset valuations again, up or down.

## What to watch

- The ~August Alzheimer's trial readout.
- Whether the markdown spreads to peers (Altos, NewLimit) or stays Retro-specific.
- Progress of Retro's in-vivo gene-therapy and cell-replacement programs.

## Regional takes (batched by bias / lens)

### unlabelled
- **STAT News** (United States, en) — Reports Retro's 22 May 2026 announcement that its latest raise values it at $1.8B, down from a $5B figure floated in late 2025, and that its first clinical trial, a pill to clear protein aggregates in Alzheimer's, has shown no dose-limiting toxicities, with data expected around August.
  Source: https://www.statnews.com/2026/05/22/retro-biosciences-longevity-valuation/
- **StartupHub.ai** (United States, en) — 
  Source: https://www.startuphub.ai/ai-news/ai-figures/2026/figure-sam-altman-venture-portfolio-breakdown-2026-05-27
- **FinSMEs** (United States, en) — 
  Source: https://www.finsmes.com/2026/01/the-longevity-startup-that-already-has-the-data-altos-labs-is-seeking-hidden-in-plain-sight.html
- **The Longevity Initiative** (United States, en) — 
  Source: https://thelongevityinitiative.org/2026/01/business-2025-bets-biotech-bust/

### longevity sector
- **Longevity.Technology** (United Kingdom, en) — Treats the markdown as a reality check on 2025's longevity froth while crediting the advancing Alzheimer's program; notes Retro's mix of in-vivo gene therapies, cell-replacement and aggregate-clearance approaches in its bid to add 10 healthy years to lifespan.
  > "Retro Bio's $1.8b moment: Hopes up as Alzheimer's trial advances."
  Source: https://longevity.technology/news/retro-bios-1-8b-moment-hopes-up-as-alzheimers-trial-advances/

### regenerative medicine
- **The Regen Report** (United States, en) — Frames the close around Sam Altman's involvement, ~$180M invested, a stake valued at ~$258M in May 2026 court filings, and Retro's positioning against Altos Labs in the cellular-rejuvenation race.
  > "Altman-Backed Regenerative Medicine Startup, Retro Biosciences, Closes Funding Round at $1.8B Valuation."
  Source: https://theregenreport.com/2026/05/23/altman-backed-regenerative-medicine-startup-retro-biosciences-closes-funding-round-at-1-8b-valuation/

## Across the graph
- Related: [[newlimit-series-c-reprogramming-2026]], [[isomorphic-labs-series-b-2026]]
- Entities: Retro Biosciences, Longevity, Gene Therapy, Sam Altman, Alzheimers

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Canonical: https://rbtfl.xyz/es/n/retro-biosciences-valuation-2026