| HRH Princess Dr. Haya bint Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, Senior Vice President of Research at Hevolution , is not just a leader in her field but an exceptional figure who combines strategic vision with a deep sense of humanity. From the early stages of Hevolution’s establishment, she played a pivotal role in shaping its ambitious vision for extending healthspan. Her dedication ensures that scientific research in this field has a real and lasting impact, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals of fostering medical innovation and improving quality of life. She is known for her humility and collaborative spirit, making her an inspiration to both her team and researchers. She does not view leadership as authority but as a partnership, encouraging open dialogue and empowering others to contribute to Hevolution’s mission. Despite her significant responsibilities, she remains engaged in the details, personally overseeing projects, reflecting her deep commitment not only to research but also to advancing Saudi Arabia’s vision for a healthier, more sustainable future. She previously managed the Saudi National Center for Genomic Technology and was a researcher at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, contributing to studies in population genetics. Princess Haya earned her PhD in Disease Genomics from Imperial College London, a master’s degree in Genetics and Toxicology from McGill University, and a bachelor's degree in clinical nutrition from King Saud University. She has also received training from institutions such as Harvard University and the Broad Institute. During our conversation, she expressed her strong commitment to advancing modern medical practice by focusing on healthspan and disease prevention, emphasizing that this is the future of medicine in the coming decades. ----------------------------------------- What is Hevolution’s ultimate goal? She answered, " Hevolution aims to extend healthspan for the benefit of all humanity." Hevolution is achieving this goal by increasing the number of safe and effective treatments available in the market while reducing development time through the latest tools and technologies. The organization also strives to enhance access to innovative therapies that contribute to healthspan extension and the reduction of age-related diseases. To accomplish these objectives, Hevolution provides grants to support researchers and studies in geroscience, invests in promising biotech companies worldwide, and funds startups specializing in healthy aging. Additionally, the foundation attracts further investments to accelerate advancements in this field, ensuring a broad and sustainable impact on human health. ----------------------------------------- Your Highness, can you tell us about the origins of Hevolution and the reason behind its establishment? "Thank you for having me. Hevolution was founded with an ambitious vision to improve human quality of life by supporting research and innovation in healthspan extension. The foundation was established by royal decree in 2018 and officially began operations in 2021, quickly becoming the world’s largest funder in this field. At the heart of our vision is the transition from merely extending lifespan to improving its quality. We aim to accelerate research, support cutting-edge medical technologies, and drive investments in the field of healthy aging." ----------------------------------------- Do you expect medical practice to change in the future with the emergence of healthspan clinics and related specialties? "Absolutely. We are witnessing a major shift in healthcare, where the focus is no longer solely on treating diseases after they occur but rather on prevention and early intervention. In the future, I anticipate a complete transformation in the healthcare model, focusing more on prevention and healthspan extension, guided by the latest scientific discoveries. This evolution will not be limited to healthspan clinics but will lead to groundbreaking changes in medical practices, with new specialties emerging, such as: - Preventive geriatric medicine, which aims to intervene early to slow the aging process.
- Precision aging medicine, offering personalized treatments based on an individual’s biological characteristics.
- Advanced biological interventions, targeting cellular processes responsible for aging to enhance long-term quality of life.
At Hevolution, we are laying the foundation for this future by funding scientific research and supporting solutions that make this advanced healthcare accessible to all." ----------------------------------------- We attended Hevolution’s conference in Riyadh and were honored to see some of the world’s top scientists in healthspan research. What were the key outcomes of the event? "We are very pleased with the success of the Global Healthspan Summit 2025, held under the theme 'Building the Future.' The summit gathered over 3,000 participants and 150 global speakers over two days, featuring more than 80 panel discussions on the latest scientific innovations in the field. This year’s summit highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leading global efforts in transforming how we address aging and health. Key outcomes of the event included: - Showcasing the latest research on gene and cell therapies and their impact on longevity.
- Discussing the role of artificial intelligence in accelerating drug development and scientific research.
- Strengthening international partnerships and investments while launching new research projects funded by Hevolution to deepen our understanding of biological aging and develop effective treatments.
This summit reinforces Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for healthspan research and helps shape the future of preventive medicine and scientific innovation." ----------------------------------------- What are Hevolution’s key objectives for 2025? "In 2025, we are focusing on advancing scientific research, investing in geroscience, and expanding the global impact of healthspan studies. Our priorities include: - Funding scientific research and developing effective treatments.
- Increasing the number of safe, market-available therapies and accelerating their development.
- Supporting more startups in the field.
- Expanding research grant programs, with over $400 million allocated to support laboratories and scientists worldwide, including more than 245 Saudi researchers.
- Elevating the Global Healthspan Summit into the world’s leading platform for longevity research".
----------------------------------------- How does Saudi Arabia compare to other countries in terms of healthspan research and investment? "Saudi Arabia is now a global leader in healthspan research investment, reflecting its commitment to Vision 2030’ s goal of improving quality of life. Hevolution is the largest funder in this field worldwide, with over $400 million allocated for research and innovation since our operations began. There is also growing interest from local universities and research centers, and we are actively supporting Saudi researchers through grants and fellowships to strengthen national expertise in this critical sector. The impact of healthspan research extends beyond health—it has significant economic and social benefits. By reducing healthcare costs and supporting the workforce through improved longevity, we contribute to sustainable development and overall well-being." ----------------------------------------- Finally, what message would you like to share with healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia? "I encourage them to be part of this major transformation in healthcare. You are on the front lines, and your role is essential in raising awareness about the importance of prevention, healthy lifestyles, and integrating the latest scientific discoveries into everyday medical practice. The research and advancements we are driving at Hevolution will directly impact medical practice, whether through more precise diagnostic tools or groundbreaking treatments that target biological aging itself rather than just its symptoms. Saudi Arabia is making steady progress toward a healthier future, and through your efforts and our collective collaboration, we can create a major shift in quality of life for generations to come." | 
