CONCEPTUAL / PRE-FUNDING — v3.1

Project Parry

Biotech R&D

Infrastructure

Human Hibernation & Longevity Research Initiative

Named after Urocitellus parryii (Arctic Ground Squirrel) — the mammal with the longest hibernation period (8+ months) and deepest body temperature drops (-2.9°C)

Executive Summary

Project Parry is a proposed research initiative to develop viable human hibernation technology for extended longevity. The goal is to enable humans to enter controlled torpor states for periods of 1-10 years, dramatically slowing biological aging and allowing individuals to effectively "time travel" to future eras where medical technology may offer solutions to currently incurable conditions—or full life extension.

The project combines advances in cryobiology, metabolic suppression (including emerging ultrasound-induced hypothermia and Q neuron optogenetics), and automated life support to create a safe, repeatable hibernation protocol.

90%

Metabolic Reduction in Torpor

2-5x

Slower Biological Aging

$95-130M

12-14 Year Development Cost

200-300

Potential Calendar Years

Version 3.1 Research-Validated Updates

Key corrections based on peer-reviewed literature validation:

Timeline revised: 12-14 years (extended from 9-11) based on regulatory pathway analysis
Aging reduction: 2-5x slower (not 10x) per 2022-2025 research
Oxygenator rotation: 7-10 days (35-50 swaps/year, not 6-12)
Q neurons: Takahashi Lab (Tsukuba) attribution corrected; AAV safety concerns noted
BAT arousal mechanism: Brown adipose tissue protocol added
Regulatory: EMA PRIME provides 2-3 months acceleration (not 1-2 years); Phase 0 microdosing removed (incompatible)

Scientific Foundation

Hibernation is a natural metabolic state observed in numerous mammals.[1] Research demonstrates that epigenetic aging slows significantly during hibernation: Pinho et al. (2022) showed aging "stalls" in marmots, while Nature Aging (2025) reports aging "slows by up to 76%." Conservative interpretation: 2-5x slower biological aging (not 10x as sometimes claimed).[2]

Physiological Reductions During Hibernation

Data from Arctic Ground Squirrel (Urocitellus parryii) studies[3] — black bar = hibernation, gray background = normal

Metabolic Rate 2-10% of normal

100%

Oxygen Consumption 2-5% of normal

100%

Heart Rate 5-10 bpm vs 60-100 bpm

normal

Respiration 1-2/min vs 12-20/min

normal

Key Research Areas

Torpor Induction

UIH (TRL 4-5) — Primary approach; no independent replications yet[11]
Q neuron optogenetics (TRL 2-3) — Takahashi Lab; long-term track due to AAV safety concerns[14]
Adenosine A1 receptor agonists (CHA nasal delivery)[5]
Hydrogen sulfide (repositioned as neuroprotectant)[4]
AMPK activators[6]

Life Support & Protection

LVAD + Oxygenator hybrid (7-10 day rotation; 35-50 swaps/year)
AI monitoring system (50+ variables, predictive)
Neuroprotection (RBM3 cold-shock proteins)
BAT arousal mechanism (β3-agonists for rewarming)
Arousal/rewarming protocol (30-35 hour process)

Competitive Landscape

The hibernation and longevity space has seen significant activity and investment (2024 global longevity investment: $8.49 billion, up 220% from 2023). Total identified hibernation-adjacent funding exceeds $800M:

Organization	Focus	Funding/Status
Until Labs (formerly Cradle)	Reversible cryopreservation	$106M+ raised (Jan 2024); Sam Altman backed
Fauna Bio	Hibernation biology for drug discovery	$494M Eli Lilly deal (2024); $160M raised
NASA STASH Program	Torpor for space travel	NIAC 2024 selection; government validation
ESA Hibernation Initiative	Human hibernation for Mars	First trials estimated mid-2030s
Washington University	Ultrasound-induced hypothermia	Nature Metabolism 2023; tech licensing opportunity
Takahashi Lab (Tsukuba)	Q neuron identification	Nature 2020; foundational Q neuron research
Hrvatin Lab (Harvard/MIT)	Torpor molecular mechanisms	NIH funded; parallel torpor research
Spaceworks	NASA torpor habitat contractor	NIAC Phase II funding

Strategic Positioning

Project Parry differentiates through:

Longevity focus (vs. space travel focus of NASA/ESA)
Full-stack approach (induction + maintenance + arousal vs. single-component)
Foundation structure (perpetual mandate vs. corporate exit timeline)
Self-experimentation pathway (founder as first long-duration subject)

Proposed Infrastructure (Phased Approach)

Version 3.0 introduces a phased facility strategy that reduces initial capital commitment from $70M to $27-35M while validating technology before major infrastructure investment:

Phase 1: Hospital Partnership Years 1-4

Aspect	Conservative	Optimistic
Capital Required	$8-15M	$6-12M
Focus	Short-duration trials (24hr → 7 days → 30 days)
Candidate Sites	Oslo University Hospital, Karolinska, Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic

Advantage: Leverages existing infrastructure, ethics oversight, and regulatory frameworks

Phase 2: Callio Lab, Finland Years 4-7

Factor	Benefit
Capital Required	$12-20M (Conservative) / $10-16M (Optimistic)
Existing facility	Operational immediately; no construction needed
Depth	1,400m — superior radiation shielding vs. 200m
Research-ready	Labs, clean rooms, power already installed
Regulatory	Finnish environment is EU-aligned but innovation-friendly
Hospital proximity	Oulu University Hospital within 200km

Phase 3: Norwegian Mine Years 7+ (DEFERRED)

                Contingent on Phase 2 Success
                Capital: $70-105M (Conservative) / $55-80M (Optimistic)
Only proceed if: Hibernation technology proven at Callio Lab
Purpose: Scale-up facility for commercial operations
Savings if deferred: $35-60M capital preserved for other uses

            

Facility Layout (Revised)

2-3 level underground facility (reduced from 4 levels). Diminishing returns on radiation shielding after 200m; this design reduces vertical transportation risk and lowers costs:

Surface

Administration & Access

Public-facing entry point with security screening and staff housing (15-20 personnel)

Security Checkpoint Admin Offices Staff Quarters Emergency Helipad Equipment Receiving

-100m to -150m

Medical & Primary Hibernation

Combined medical suite, surgical theater, and primary hibernation pods

Pre-Hibernation Suite Surgical Theater Recovery Ward (10 beds) Primary Pods (6-8 units) Life Support Control AI Monitoring Hub

-150m to -200m

Redundancy & Storage (Phase 2)

Backup hibernation pods, long-term supplies, emergency shelter with secondary egress

Backup Pods (6-8 units) Cryogenic Storage Long-Term Supply Depot Emergency Shelter Secondary Egress Shaft

Cost Optimization Strategy

Cooling System 80%+ Savings

Standard Approach
Industrial chillers + redundancy
$2-3M + $50K/yr

Optimized Approach
Geothermal loop + passive rock thermal mass
$400-600K + $5K/yr

Life Support Systems Critical Engineering

Traditional ECMO
Circuit thrombosis/biofouling limits to 2-4 weeks max
Never proven beyond 2 months

LVAD + Oxygenator Rotation Protocol
LVAD: 5-7 year MTBF (pump; 60% failures are peripherals); Oxygenator: 7-10 day rotation
35-50 oxygenator swaps per year of hibernation (revised from 6-12)

AI Monitoring System NEW

Traditional 24/7 Staffing
15-20 FTE required for continuous monitoring
$1.5-2.5M/year staffing costs

AI-Augmented Monitoring
50+ variable predictive system; early anomaly detection
30-50% staffing reduction; pattern recognition hours before human-visible signs

Nutrition Protocol REVISED

Previous Assumption
300-500 kcal/day via standard TPN
Higher than metabolic requirement

Lipid-Dominant Protocol
150-200 kcal/day; 60-70% lipids, ketone-based brain support
Matches 2-5% torpor metabolic rate; mimics natural hibernators

Pharmacology

Standard Retail Pricing
Licensed drugs at commercial rates
$100K+/year

Research Partnership Pricing
GMP-licensed manufacturing via pharma partners (required for compliance)
$30-50K/year through strategic partnerships

Financial Model

Foundation Structure

A Norwegian Stiftelse (foundation) provides perpetual institutional stability, favorable tax treatment for research organizations, and legal protection spanning centuries.

PARRY LONGEVITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Norwegian Stiftelse (Non-Profit Foundation)

Research Arm

Hibernation protocol development
Clinical trials management
Scientific publication
Academic partnerships

Funds R&D

Returns + IP

Investment Arm

Longevity-focused VC fund
Biotech equity positions
IP licensing revenue
Spinoff company stakes

▼ ▼

HIBERNATION FACILITY

Operated as Research Institution

Tax-exempt status Research exemptions Grant eligibility Perpetual mandate

Investment Strategy

The foundation invests in technologies directly applicable to the mission:

Category	Examples	Strategic Value
Cryobiology	Organ preservation startups	Direct protocol improvement
Metabolic Modulation	Torpor drug developers	Core hibernation tech
Biomonitoring	Continuous sensing companies	Reduces monitoring costs
Senolytics	Cellular rejuvenation	Recovery phase therapeutics
AI/Automation	Medical robotics	Reduces staffing costs

Capital Requirements (Phased Approach)

Phase	Duration	Conservative	Optimistic
Phase 1: Hospital Partnership	Years 1-4	$28-35M	$22-28M
Phase 2: Callio Lab	Years 4-7	$32-40M	$26-32M
Phase 3: Norwegian Mine	Years 7+ (Contingent)	$70-105M	$55-80M
Operational Reserve	Ongoing	$35-50M	$25-40M
Total (Phases 1-2 only)		$95-125M	$73-100M
Total (all phases)		$165-230M	$128-180M

Key insight: Phased approach commits only $27-35M before validating technology works. Previous approach committed $70M upfront.

Operating Costs (Realistic)

Medical/research staff (15-20 FTE): $1.5-2.5M/year
Facility operations: $1-2M/year
Equipment maintenance: $800K-1.2M/year
Regulatory compliance: $300-500K/year
Insurance/liability: $1.5-4M/year
Total Annual Operating: $8-15M (early) / $15-22M (at scale)

Revenue Streams (Accelerated via Spin-offs)

Source	Years 1-4	Years 5-7	Years 8-11	Year 12+
Organ Preservation Spin-off	$0	$2-5M	$5-12M	$8-20M
CRO Services	$0-1M	$2-4M	$3-5M	$3-5M
IP Licensing	$0	$0-2M	$2-5M	$5-10M
Research Grants	$1-3M	$2-4M	$3-5M	$3-5M
Strategic Partnerships	$1-3M	$3-6M	$4-8M	$5-10M
Training Center	$0	$0-1M	$1-3M	$2-5M
Data Licensing	$0	$0-500K	$500K-1M	$1-2M
Total (Conservative)	$2-7M	$9-22M	$19-39M	$27-57M
Total (Optimistic)	$4-10M	$15-30M	$30-50M	$40-70M

                New Revenue Streams (v3.0)
                Organ Preservation Spin-off: $4B+ market; leverage cryoprotection research; foundation retains equity
CRO Services: Animal torpor testing for pharma/biotech; unique capability; high margins
Training Center: Hypothermia/torpor protocol certifications for emergency medicine, surgery, space medicine

            

                Path to Self-Sustainability
                
                            Metric
                            Conservative
                            Optimistic
                            Previous (v2.0)
                        
                            Break-even Year
                            Year 7
                            Year 6
                            Year 9-10
                        
                            Cumulative Investment Recovery
                            Year 10-11
                            Year 8-9
                            Year 12+
                        
                            Total Revenue (Years 1-12)
                            $93M
                            $167M
                            $51-97M

Metric	Conservative	Optimistic	Previous (v2.0)
Break-even Year	Year 7	Year 6	Year 9-10
Cumulative Investment Recovery	Year 10-11	Year 8-9	Year 12+
Total Revenue (Years 1-12)	$93M	$167M	$51-97M

12-14 Year Development Roadmap (Research-Validated)

Version 3.1 extends the timeline based on regulatory pathway analysis. Phase 0 microdosing removed (incompatible with torpor drugs); EMA PRIME provides months of acceleration, not years:

Conservative Timeline (14 Years)

Phase 1: Foundation & Animal Research Years 1-5 · $42M

Year 1 Foundation established, hospital partnerships initiated $8M

Year 2 Animal trials begin, EMA PRIME application $8M

Year 3 7-day mammalian torpor, Callio Lab negotiations $7M

Year 4 30-day mammalian torpor, Callio Lab setup $9M

Year 5 90-day mammalian torpor, Callio Lab operational $10M

Phase 2: Human Trials Years 6-9 · $34M

Year 6 First human torpor trial (24hr), spin-off launched $10M

Year 7 180-day mammalian torpor, 7-day human trial $9M

Year 8 1-year mammalian torpor, 30-day human trial $8M

Year 9 90-day human trial, CRO services operational $7M

Phase 3: Extended Hibernation Years 10-14 · $24M

Year 10 First 6-month human hibernation attempt $6M

Year 11 Protocol refinement, multiple 6-month subjects $5M

Year 12 First 1-year human hibernation attempt $5M

Years 13-14 1-year hibernation validated, Phase 4 decision $8M

Optimistic Timeline (12 Years)

With favorable regulatory outcomes and accelerated milestones:

Year 5: First human torpor trial (24hr)
Year 7: 30-day human trial
Year 9: First 6-month hibernation
Year 12: 1-year hibernation validated

Total optimistic investment: $95M (Phases 1-2) + reserve

Total investment (Phases 1-2):

Conservative: $100M direct + $35-50M reserve
Optimistic: $95M direct + $25-40M reserve
Previous (v3.0): $87M direct + $35-50M reserve

Long-Term Vision: Century-Spanning Protocol

The Mathematics of Extended Longevity (Revised)

Based on 2-5x aging reduction during torpor (per 2022-2025 research), not "stalls" completely:

Hibernation	Awake	Bio Aging/Cycle (2-5x)	Calendar Time
1 year	3 months	~5-9 months	15 months
2 years	3 months	~8-15 months	27 months
10 years	6 months	~3-6 years	10.5 years

If hibernating 10 years / awake 6 months repeatedly:

100 calendar years = ~10 cycles = ~28-35 biological years of aging (revised from 15-20)
200 calendar years = ~20 cycles = ~55-70 biological years
Realistic potential: Witness 200-300 years while biologically aging to ~80

Note: Previous calculations assumed aging "stalls" completely (10x), which is not supported by current literature.

Phased Implementation

Proof of Concept Years 0-25

4x cycles of 1-2 year hibernation

~8-15 years biological aging Focus: Protocol refinement

Extended Cycles Years 25-75

5x cycles of 5-year hibernation

~15-30 years biological aging Leverage 50 years of medical progress

Decade Jumps Years 75-200

10x cycles of 10-year hibernation

~25-50 years biological aging Rejuvenation tech likely mature

Post-Hibernation Years 200+

Longevity tech advanced enough that hibernation becomes optional

Continue living normally with radical life extension

Total: 200+ calendar years, ~50-95 biological years of aging

The Temporal Arbitrage Advantage

Each awakening provides access to decades of external medical progress:

Calendar Year	You Wake Up To	Benefit
2035	First robust anti-aging drugs	Reduce recovery aging
2055	Organ regeneration tech	Replace damaged organs
2085	Advanced nanomedicine	In-situ cellular repair
2125	Mature longevity tech	May not need hibernation

Key Insight

Hibernation serves as a bridge to technologies that make hibernation unnecessary. You don't need to solve aging—you just need to survive long enough for civilization to solve it for you.

Accelerating Returns: The Path to >10:1 Ratio

The conservative 2-5x projection assumes hibernation efficacy remains static. This is overly pessimistic—Project Parry's own research and investments are designed to improve outcomes over time.

Target: >10:1 Calendar-to-Biological Aging Ratio

A 10:1 ratio (100 calendar years = 10 biological years) would restore the original 500+ year potential. This is achievable through:

Torpor depth optimization: Deeper hypothermia = slower aging
Epigenetic reprogramming: Active enhancement via Yamanaka factors during torpor
Senolytic therapy: Clear senescent cells during each arousal cycle
Protocol refinement: Each cycle generates data to improve the next

Feedback Loop Model

Baseline Data Years 0-5

2-3x aging reduction; establish protocols

Optimized Torpor Years 5-15

3-4x aging reduction; deeper torpor + epigenetic interventions

Enhanced Protocol Years 15-35

5-7x aging reduction; gene therapy + senolytic integration

C4+

Full Optimization Years 35+

8-12x aging reduction targeted; decades of data inform protocol

Revised Projections (With Accelerating Returns)

Scenario	Years 0-50	Years 50-150	Years 150-300	Total Bio Aging
Conservative (static 2-5x)	15-30 yrs	25-50 yrs	30-60 yrs	70-140 yrs
Moderate (improving to 8x)	12-20 yrs	15-25 yrs	15-25 yrs	42-70 yrs
Optimistic (achieving 10x+)	10-15 yrs	10-15 yrs	10-15 yrs	30-45 yrs

With Accelerating Returns (10:1 Target)

300 calendar years = ~40-50 biological years of aging
Starting at age 40, ending at biological age 80-90
Restores the original 500+ year potential if ratio continues improving

The conservative projection is a floor, not a ceiling. Each hibernation cycle should yield better results than the last.

Investment Arm Contributions

The Foundation's Investment Arm specifically targets technologies that could improve hibernation outcomes:

Investment Category	Example Targets	Impact on Aging Ratio
Epigenetic reprogramming	Altos Labs, Turn Bio	+2-3x to aging reduction
Senolytic therapies	Unity Biotechnology, Oisín	Clear torpor-accumulated damage
Gene therapy delivery	AAV improvements, LNP tech	Enable safe Q neuron optogenetics
Cryoprotection advances	Until Labs, Cradle	Deeper hypothermia without damage
AI/biomarker monitoring	Continuous sensing startups	Real-time protocol optimization

Current Technology Readiness

Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale: 1 = Basic research, 9 = Operational system[7]

Therapeutic Hypothermia (32-34°C) TRL 9

Routine clinical use for cardiac arrest, stroke[8]

ECMO/LVAD Life Support TRL 9

Standard in major hospitals; LVAD proven for years[9]

Deep Hypothermia (15-20°C) TRL 8

Used in cardiac surgery for hours[10]

Ultrasound-Induced Hypothermia (UIH) TRL 4-5

2023 breakthrough — no independent replications yet; rat effect 3x weaker than mice[11]

Q Neuron Optogenetics TRL 2-3 (human)

Takahashi Lab 2020; AAV gene therapy safety crisis adds 10-15 years to human timeline[14]

Adenosine A1R Agonists TRL 4-5

Animal studies; autonomic differences from natural torpor[5]

Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) TRL 3

Conflicting results; repositioned as neuroprotectant only[4]

Extended Human Hibernation (1+ year) TRL 2

Technology concept formulated, never attempted

Assessment

Core enabling technologies (hypothermia, LVAD, monitoring) are mature. Primary gaps are in long-duration validation, ultrasound induction scaling to humans, and integration of pharmacological torpor with life support systems. This represents an engineering and protocol challenge rather than fundamental scientific barriers.

The Path Forward

Project Parry v3.1 represents a research-validated pathway to radical human longevity. The biology supports it. The engineering is challenging but achievable. The regulatory pathway is complex but navigable.

Conservative: $100-130M over 14 years | Optimistic: $95-115M over 12 years

Discuss This Project

References & Sources

Citation Key: Superscript numbers [#] link to corresponding references below. Click any citation to jump to the source.

[1] Carey, H.V., Andrews, M.T., & Martin, S.L. (2003). "Mammalian Hibernation: Cellular and Molecular Responses to Depressed Metabolism and Low Temperature." Physiological Reviews, 83(4), 1153-1181. doi:10.1152/physrev.00008.2003

[2] Pinho, G.M., et al. (2022). "Hibernation slows epigenetic ageing in yellow-bellied marmots." Nature Ecology & Evolution, 6, 418-426. doi:10.1038/s41559-022-01679-1

[2b] Hrvatin, S., et al. (2025). "A torpor-like state in mice slows blood epigenetic aging and prolongs healthspan." Nature Aging. doi:10.1038/s43587-025-00830-4 (Reports aging slows by up to 76% in blood; Whitehead Institute/Harvard Medical School)

[3] Barnes, B.M. (1989). "Freeze avoidance in a mammal: body temperatures below 0°C in an Arctic hibernator." Science, 244(4912), 1593-1595. doi:10.1126/science.2740905

[4] Blackstone, E., Morrison, M., & Roth, M.B. (2005). "H2S induces a suspended animation-like state in mice." Science, 308(5721), 518. doi:10.1126/science.1108581

[5] Jinka, T.R., Tøien, Ø., & Drew, K.L. (2011). "Season Primes the Brain in an Arctic Hibernator to Facilitate Entrance into Torpor Mediated by Adenosine A1 Receptors." Journal of Neuroscience, 31(30), 10752-10758. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1240-11.2011

[6] Hadj-Moussa, H., & Storey, K.B. (2019). "Bringing Nature Back: Using hibernation to reboot organ preservation." FEBS Journal, 286(6), 1094-1100. doi:10.1111/febs.14683

[7] NASA (2012). "Technology Readiness Level Definitions." NASA Systems Engineering Handbook (Rev 2). nasa.gov/technology_readiness_level

[8] Bernard, S.A., et al. (2002). "Treatment of comatose survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with induced hypothermia." New England Journal of Medicine, 346(8), 557-563. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa003289

[9] ELSO (2023). "ECMO Registry of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization." elso.org/registry

[10] Tian, D.H., et al. (2013). "A meta-analysis of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest versus moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest with selective antegrade cerebral perfusion." Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery, 2(2), 148-158. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2225-319X.2013.03.13

[11] Chen, H., et al. (2023). "Induction of a torpor-like hypothermic and hypometabolic state in rodents by ultrasound." Nature Metabolism. doi:10.1038/s42255-023-00804-z

[12] Hrvatin, S., et al. (2020). "Neurons that regulate mouse torpor." Nature, 583, 115-121. doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2387-5

[13] FDA Safety Communications (2023-2025). "AAV Gene Therapy Safety Concerns." Multiple patient deaths in high-dose AAV trials; FDA implementing stricter oversight. fda.gov/cellular-gene-therapy

[14] Takahashi, T.M., et al. (2020). "A discrete neuronal circuit induces a hibernation-like state in rodents." Nature, 583, 109-114. doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2163-6 (University of Tsukuba — foundational Q neuron identification)

[15] Takahashi, T.M., et al. (2022). "Optogenetic induction of hibernation-like state with modified human Opsin4 in mice." Cell Reports Methods, 2(11), 100336. doi:10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100336 (University of Tsukuba/WPI-IIIS — human-compatible optogenetics for torpor)

Note: This proposal (Version 3.1) synthesizes published research and comprehensive peer-reviewed literature validation. Key claims have been corrected based on source verification. Conservative and optimistic estimates are provided throughout. Actual implementation would require extensive additional research, ethical review, and regulatory approval.