The Drug Development Viewpoint
Wired provides insight into the viewpoint of those longevity researchers focused on drug development and manipulating metabolism to slow aging: "'It's not a matter of if, but when,' said gerontologist David Sinclair of a drug that promises a long and healthy life -- not quite a fountain of youth, but perhaps a fountain of fitness. ... Sinclair predicted that the drugs 'could have as big an impact as antibiotics in the 20th century, and it's just around the corner.' ... The biggest myth is that if we extend lifespan, that would involve more unhealthy years at the end. But we'll add years of healthy life. ... Every major pharmaceutical company is conducting research on the handful of genes activated by caloric restriction. ... Sirtris' resveratrol formulation is now in Phase II clinical trials for diabetes. When it hits the market in four or five years, [Sinclair] said, "It'll be on the market as a diabetes drug. It'll have to sell for $3 or $4 a pill, in order to stay competitive. And once it goes off-patent, companies will be able to make it for pennies. It'll be like aspirin.'" Slowing the damage of aging is a far cry from repairing the damage of aging, however, and given that the research and development costs are roughly similar, there's no reason to favor it.
Link: http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/06/pharmaceutical.html