Many super-rich people have the dream of eternal life: they use all medical tricks to maximize their lifespan. This also includes a substance called rapamycin: It was isolated a good 50 years ago from a bacterial sample from the “Easter Island” Rapa Nui – hence the name. Rapamycin’s ability to suppress the immune system was first discovered, which helped in transplants and the treatment of various diseases. Studies on laboratory animals suggested that the compound had life-extending properties.
