"AI Meets Blockchain to Reshape Longevity Science Funding"

AUBRAI, the AI-driven decentralized science (DeSci) agent co-developed by VitaDAO and Bio Protocol, is scheduled for its Token Generation Event (TGE) on August 27, 2025, on the Base blockchain. The AUBRAI token will grant holders governance rights over research funding decisions and a share of revenues from commercialized discoveries. The initiative aims to revolutionize longevity research by leveraging blockchain and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) to fund and manage scientific experiments, offering a transparent and sustainable alternative to traditional funding models [1].

Aubrai is designed to combat what its creators refer to as the “valley of death” in scientific research—where promising discoveries fail to transition to clinical applications due to a lack of capital. This is achieved by combining agentic AI intelligence with expert human input to accelerate breakthroughs in aging research. By utilizing unpublished lab data from Dr. Aubrey de Grey’s LEV Foundation and integrating it with an onchain knowledge graph, the system can formulate hypotheses, design wet-lab experiments, and route proposals to token-holders for funding votes [1].

The platform is already being tested in the Robust Mouse Rejuvenation (RMR2) study, one of the most ambitious mouse lifespan experiments to date. According to Dr. de Grey, the agent has already flagged dosing caveats and suggested methodological improvements that would have taken weeks to identify manually. These early successes have led to optimism that the system can significantly streamline the research pipeline, enabling faster iterations and more efficient resource allocation [1].

From a financial structure perspective, AUBRAI tokens will be distributed via Bio Protocol’s Launchpad, using a dual mechanism of BioXP pledging and $BIO commitments. Participants who pledge BioXP will have their final token allocation determined proportionally to the total BioXP committed by all participants. If the launch is successful, only the BioXP used for the allocation will be burned, and the remainder will be refunded. Similarly, $BIO committed will be used to purchase the tokens at a fixed rate, with any unused $BIO also refundable [3].

The broader implications of the project go beyond longevity research. If successful, Aubrai could serve as a blueprint for decentralized scientific infrastructure, demonstrating how blockchain technology can support high-impact research in areas traditionally constrained by funding and coordination challenges. Bio Protocol’s founder, Paul Kohlhaas, has likened the project to how Substack enabled writers to monetize their work outside of legacy media models, suggesting that decentralized science could similarly empower researchers to build their own sustainable ecosystems [1].

However, the initiative is not without challenges. Tokenized intellectual property remains an emerging concept and could face regulatory scrutiny. Additionally, the adoption of decentralized discoveries by established pharmaceutical firms is uncertain. Nonetheless, for a field like longevity, where traditional funding models often fail to support long-horizon research, Aubrai represents a promising alternative. If it can demonstrate tangible results, it may help shift the perception of blockchain from a speculative asset class to a foundational infrastructure for scientific progress [1].

Source:

[1] DeSci Project Aubrai Launches on Base to Tackle Science Funding's 'Valley of Death' (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/25/decentralized-science-project-aubrai-launches-on-base-to-tackle-science-funding-s-valley-of-death)

[2] BIO • aubrai (https://app.bio.xyz/agents/aubrai)