Key points from article :
The On Deck Longevity Biotech (ODLB) Fellowship is a dedicated community for those interested in building, joining, or investing in biotech start-ups that target ageing and longevity. Led by Nathan Cheng, the fellowship was launched to address the gap between the large amounts of funding in longevity research and the limited number of new companies emerging in the field. ODLB aims to connect aspiring entrepreneurs with mentors who provide guidance, resources, and support. Mentors include renowned figures like David Sinclair and Matt Kaeberlein, who are committed to fostering innovation in health and longevity.
The first cohort of ODLB drew significant interest, with over 460 applications and 130 participants accepted. Fellows benefited from extensive networking opportunities and resources, making valuable connections, finding jobs, securing investments, and forming collaborations within the longevity ecosystem. The fellowship offered a variety of activities, such as mastermind groups, a supportive Slack community, meetups, office hours, and deep-dive sessions with industry experts. Nathan Cheng expressed enthusiasm about expanding ODLB, planning to bring in new applicants while continuing to support the initial cohort.
ODLB’s programming is primarily remote, featuring around 2–3 hours of core programming each week. The curriculum includes a six-week onboarding with workshops, talks on biotech entrepreneurship, and expert-led deep dives. Small group sessions, networking events, and Demo Days allow fellows to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists. Open to entrepreneurs, operators, and investors at any stage, ODLB provides a comprehensive support system to drive progress in the longevity biotech sector.
