A Brief History

Turning Concern Into Action

Methuselah Foundation, or simply MFoundation, was founded by Dave Gobel. For Dave, taking on aging was a natural progression in a lifetime of turning obstacles into opportunities for change.

Dave's success as an entrepreneur allowed him to retire and spend time with his children during their teen years. He was also able to care for his mother who had a long series of illnesses and infirmities. His father had died when he was only 55; as Dave approached that age he became curious and concerned about aging. As he had done throughout his career, Dave acted out of frustration. He saw a need to address the global issues of aging, health and lifespan. Methuselah Foundation was formed to encourage and reward research that would shed light on the process of aging and find ways to extend healthy human life.

Foundation History

The seeds for Methuselah Foundation were planted in 2000 when Dave Gobel met Aubrey De Grey online. They shared a concern for extending life and seeking out and rewarding research that brings science closer to that possibility. Together they decided to start Methuselah Foundation and in 2003 announced the Mprize. The Foundation website garnered interest and donations from around the world. The 300, a group of donors who pledge $1000 a year for 25 years, was formed to ensure sustainable funding. The Scientific Advisory Board provided a direct connection to the leading scientists working on aging related research.

In 2009 Aubrey left to form SENS Foundation and focus on the Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence (SENS) combining direct research efforts with education, affiliation and outreach programs. Later that year Methuselah Foundation partnered with My Bridge 4 Life providing a wellness network for anyone facing a major illness or life threatening medical condition, as a patient, loved one or caregiver. Methuselah Foundation continues to grow through donor support that allows investment in promising research as well as the Mprize and the NewOrgan Prize, announced in April 2010. Through our partner, My Bridge 4 Life, Methuselah Foundation has also added a NewOrgan Network to create a community where those those in need of replacement organs can reach out to friends and family for personal support and help motivate scientific progress.