Pump.Science Launches Online Storefront for Longevity Supplements

Pump.Science, a decentralized science protocol inspired by the popular Solana-based meme coin launchpad, Pump.Fun, has opened its online storefront. The platform aims to leverage meme coins for scientific research and extending human life. The first product available for purchase is Urolithin A, a supplement claimed to support cellular health by restoring mitophagy, which recycles damaged mitochondria to boost energy and counter age-related decline.

Pump.Science was launched in September 2024 by Benjamin Leibowitz, Paul Kohlhass, and Jillian Casalini. The platform enables researchers to tokenize experiments, creating a marketplace for early-stage longevity compounds and supplements. The regulatory distinction allows Pump.Science to introduce longevity-related supplements to the market more quickly than traditional pharmaceutical products, aligning with its approach to decentralized scientific funding.

Pump.Science is part of a growing sector of Web3 known as Decentralized Science or DeSci. DeSci uses blockchain and decentralized finance to make research more transparent, collaborative, and less reliant on traditional financial institutions. Public and private sector investment in longevity research has seen fluctuations, with concerns about funding and the U.S. National Institute of Health cutting indirect research grant costs. This makes decentralized finance an appealing alternative for longevity researchers, enabling direct funding, open publishing, and peer-to-peer validation.

The idea behind Pump.Science is to provide a tokenized research pipeline that guides projects from initial proposals to commercialization. Researchers submit ideas, launch tokens to raise funds, and conduct experiments in phases, including worm trials, fly trials, mouse trials, and human trials using wearable technology. The compound can be sold as a supplement if demand exists. Pump.Science emphasizes transparency and integrity, partnering with credible labs that follow well-validated procedures and maintain an audit trail.

Leibowitz acknowledges the challenges of attracting research labs to the platform and keeping the community engaged, especially during market fluctuations. He notes that the greater challenge is balancing a long-term vision with a community often focused on short-term gains. By adopting the same playbook as meme coins, Pump.Science aims to attract crypto traders and enthusiasts to the world of scientific funding, creating a self-sustaining cycle of investment and discovery.

Leibowitz believes that making science enjoyable will attract more people to the platform. The key aspect is gamification, where trading volume itself finances experiments, and there is always new data to analyze and trading decisions to make. This approach aims to create a more engaging and sustainable model for scientific research funding.