YIYUAN Longevity's $5-7M Angel Round Targets Quantifiable Anti-Aging, But Scientific Claims Remain Unverified

Shenzhen-based longevity startup YIYUAN Longevity has announced the completion of an angel funding round worth approximately $5-7 million, co-led by Jianwei Investment and Jingzhi Capital. The company plans to use the capital to expand its team, advance longevity technology R&D, and commercialize its quantitative aging assessment and intervention system.

The startup's core premise is addressing what it identifies as a fundamental trust problem in the anti-aging market: services are often fragmented, and outcomes are notoriously difficult to measure. In an industry filled with unproven claims and subjective assessments, YIYUAN aims to establish what it calls a "scientific health framework" that is quantifiable, actionable, and verifiable.

The Four-Step Methodology

YIYUAN's approach centers on a four-step longevity methodology:

1. Scientific Testing - Baseline assessments to establish quantitative health metrics
2. Personalized Recommendations - Data-driven intervention plans based on test results
3. Intervention Execution - Implementation of the recommended protocols
4. Continuous Monitoring and Optimization - Ongoing measurement and adjustment

This framework attempts to bring laboratory-style quantification to what has traditionally been a subjective wellness space. The company's pitch is that by measuring more variables and tracking changes systematically, they can provide evidence-based recommendations rather than relying on anecdotal or marketing-driven claims.

The Technology Stack

At the intervention level, YIYUAN has developed an in-house intelligent micro-pressure oxygen-enriched chamber. The company claims this device is designed to improve mitochondrial function and enhance overall health. While hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has legitimate medical applications for conditions like wound healing and decompression sickness, its use for general longevity and anti-aging remains a subject of ongoing research.

The scientific literature on HBOT for anti-aging is mixed. Some studies suggest potential benefits for cellular repair and inflammation reduction, but the mechanisms and optimal protocols are still being investigated. The "micro-pressure" designation suggests a lower-pressure system than traditional medical HBOT, which may have different physiological effects. Without published data on YIYUAN's specific device parameters, pressure levels, or clinical outcomes, the actual efficacy remains an open question.

The Service Model

Beyond the hardware, YIYUAN adopts a "1+N" lifecycle service model. Each user is assigned a dedicated health consultant who serves as the primary point of contact, while the user is also connected to a global network of medical and scientific experts. This hybrid model attempts to balance personalized attention with access to specialized knowledge.

The "1+N" approach is interesting from a service design perspective. It acknowledges that no single consultant can be an expert in all aspects of longevity science, while still providing users with a consistent relationship. The effectiveness of this model will depend heavily on the quality of the consultant training and the actual accessibility of the expert network.

The Founder's Background

Founder Zhang Kun stated that the team's decade-long experience in life sciences venture investing has provided a comprehensive understanding of the industry value chain. This background suggests the company may have insights into both the scientific and business aspects of longevity, though investing experience doesn't necessarily translate to technical expertise in aging biology or clinical practice.

Market Context and Challenges

The longevity market has grown significantly in recent years, with companies ranging from supplement manufacturers to full-service clinics. The common thread is often a lack of rigorous scientific validation. YIYUAN's focus on quantification addresses a real market need, but the challenge is implementing it meaningfully.

Several questions remain unanswered:

• What specific biomarkers does the company measure to quantify aging?
• What is the baseline for "normal" aging, and how are interventions evaluated against it?
• Are the assessment protocols validated against established clinical standards?
• How does the company handle the placebo effect, which is particularly strong in wellness interventions?

The Broader Scientific Context

True anti-aging science is still in its early stages. While researchers have identified several hallmarks of aging—such as genomic instability, telomere attrition, cellular senescence, and mitochondrial dysfunction—translating this knowledge into effective interventions remains challenging. Most legitimate longevity research focuses on specific mechanisms rather than broad "anti-aging" claims.

Companies in this space face a difficult balancing act: they need to offer services that customers want while maintaining scientific integrity. The risk is that "quantifiable" becomes a marketing term rather than a rigorous scientific standard.

What to Watch

YIYUAN's success will depend on several factors:

1. Scientific Validation: Will the company publish peer-reviewed studies on its methods and outcomes?
2. Regulatory Compliance: How will it navigate medical device regulations for its oxygen chamber?
3. Outcome Measurement: What specific, objective metrics will it track and report?
4. Transparency: Will it openly share its methodology and results, including negative findings?

The $5-7 million angel round provides initial capital for development and testing. The next milestone will be whether YIYUAN can produce credible data that demonstrates measurable, repeatable effects from its interventions.

Conclusion

YIYUAN Longevity represents a trend toward more data-driven approaches in the wellness space. The company's focus on quantification and measurement addresses legitimate concerns about the current longevity market. However, the scientific validity of its core interventions—particularly the oxygen chamber technology—remains unproven without published research.

For potential clients and observers, the key is to look beyond the marketing language of "quantifiable" and "scientific" to examine the actual evidence. The longevity field needs more companies willing to subject their methods to rigorous testing and transparent reporting. Whether YIYUAN will provide that remains to be seen.

The company's next steps should include publishing its assessment protocols, sharing baseline data, and conducting controlled studies on its interventions. Until then, its claims should be viewed as promising but unproven.

Related Links:

• 36Kr Original Article (Source)
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Research Overview (NIH)
• Hallmarks of Aging Research (Cell Journal)

Image: Featured image representing longevity and health technology concepts