In Madrid on 30 September 2026 of the International Longevity Summit Madrid at the Real Academia Nacional de Medicina de España began. The two-day conference on 30 September 2026 and 1 October 2026 brings together researchers in the biology of ageing, doctors, businesswomen and investors. Its aim is to present current approaches to longevity research and discuss their potential benefits for prevention, treatment and care. Among those appearing at the opening was José Luis Cordeiro ; his tie bore the English-language slogan “Muerte a la muerte”, which supporters see as an expression of radical hope for a significantly longer healthy lifespan.
According to the programme, topics include ageing biomarkers, cell and tissue regeneration, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, and regulatory and economic frameworks. Associated sessions are planned on translating research findings into clinical applications, funding early-stage development and the evidence requirements of European authorities. The organisers emphasise the event’s interdisciplinary nature and point to international speakers from science and industry.
Criticism has accompanied the meeting from the outset. Representatives of elderly care, social scientists and anthropologists warn that the sector’s products and business models are aimed primarily at a wealthy minority. They fear growing inequalities in access to prevention and treatment, as well as public funds being diverted from care provision. They also urge a sober assessment of effectiveness: many of the approaches presented are still at the research stage, and robust clinical data are limited in several fields. Supporters disagree, pointing to the potential to delay age-related diseases and reduce healthcare costs in the long term; whether these expectations will be met remains uncertain.
For Spain, the summit is also a showcase: national research groups, clinics and private-sector players are presenting projects and seeking partnerships. The consequences will depend on future study results, assessments by EU and Spanish regulators, and uptake into care pathways. Economically, attention is focused on pricing models, reimbursement and how quality evidence is established. Politically, debate is likely to intensify over fair access, data protection in biometric measurements and promises made by the sector.
The information in this report is based on publicly available programmes, event announcements and reports published around the opening of the conference; assessments are attributed to the actors quoted in each case.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).