Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
- What is the Interventions Testing Program?
- What medications have they studied?
- Which medications extend lifespan?
When it comes to longevity, there’s no shortage of hype. From trendy supplements and biohacking routines to expensive IV therapies diets-of-the-week, it can be hard to separate science-backed strategies from wishful thinking. That’s part of the reason why there’s so much skepticism around longevity products that actually work.
But a little-known initiative called the Interventions Testing Program (ITP) has set out to change that.
Even though the ITP isn’t catching headlines, it’s become the gold standard of testing longevity therapies. With the goal to confirm which therapies have the greatest longevity potential, the ITP has produced some of the most surprising and promising longevity findings to date.
What Is the Interventions Testing Program (ITP)?
Launched in 2002, the Interventions Testing Program (ITP) was designed to systematically test science-backed interventions that might slow aging or extend lifespan. Funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), it’s become one of the most rigorous, large-scale research programs in the world.
But unlike most other medical research, the ITP isn’t studying cancer, heart disease, or biotechnology. As they describe, their main goal is to “identify agents that extend lifespan and healthspan” based on proposed interventions from scientists worldwide. Only the most promising longevity agents, based on preclinical evidence, get the green light to move forward with a study.
However, this isn’t the only factor that sets the ITP apart from other research:
- Genetic diversity
Many animal studies use inbred mice, but the ITP uses genetically varied mice to better mimic human diversity. - Multi-site testing
Studies are conducted across three independent research sites (The Jackson Laboratory, University of Michigan, and UT Health San Antonio) to ensure results are reproducible—not just lucky one-offs. - Blinded protocols
Researchers don’t know which groups of mice are receiving the test compound, reducing bias.
Most longevity claims are based on small studies, early data, or worse: no solid science at all. The ITP is different. Its transparent, peer-reviewed approach means we get high-quality data that helps move the field forward responsibly.
Using these strict standards, the ITP has developed a rigorous protocol for confirming the longevity potential of medicines and supplements. That’s why longevity experts like Peter Attia have called it the “gold standard” for testing longevity drugs.
What Is the ITP Testing?
The ITP tests medications and supplements that are repurposed from their original, FDA-approved uses to determine their lifespan-enhancing potential. To date, the ITP has identified 12 agents that “significantly increase median lifespan.” Here are some of the biggest highlights from their findings:
- Rapamycin
Originally developed as an immunosuppressant, rapamycin stunned the aging research world when it extended the lifespan of mice—even when treatment started late in life. In one ITP study, it increased male lifespan by 9% and female lifespan by 13%.
- Acarbose
This diabetes drug, which slows carbohydrate absorption, extended lifespan in male mice by up to 22%. It’s now being studied for its potential to mimic caloric restriction. - Astaxanthin
Included in our Infinite Longevity Support, astaxanthin is a big name for a compound you probably know. It’s found in foods like salmon and shrimp, and the reason these animals get their characteristic pink color. The ITP also found that astaxanthin increases mice lifespan by up to 12%.
The ITP has also tested dozens of other compounds. But not every study is a success. And that’s the point. The ITP helps weed out interventions that don’t work before they make their way into consumer products, clinical trials, and Instagram stories.
These gradual gains can offer big insights into the biology of aging, and pave the way for their introduction into modern preventative healthcare, or even FDA approval for the first longevity treatment.
What’s Next for the ITP?
Each year, the ITP announces new compounds selected for testing. Recent candidates include everything from senolytics (which clear out zombie cells) to NAD+ boosters and natural extracts like fisetin or ashwagandha.
But we don’t have to wait for more studies from the ITP. Many of the agents it has tested or is testing are available through AgelessRx, including Acarbose, Rapamycin, and astaxanthin.
You can request a prescription easily online, and if approved, your medication is delivered right to your doorstep, free of charge. Plus, with dedicated medical providers and a world-class team of scientific advisors, you can get the expertise of the ITP in the comfort of your home.
We share the same mission as the Interventions Testing Program: making longevity science and treatments clearer and more accessible to the masses. Because when it comes to longevity, it’s not about shortcuts. It’s about smart science, tested right.
Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.