Overview

Life Extension is a science-based supplement brand founded in 1980 by longevity advocates Saul Kent (1939-2023) and William Faloon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company is known for its research-backed formulations and commitment to funding anti-aging research.

In 2018, the parent organization was renamed from Life Extension Foundation to Biomedical Research & Longevity Society (BRLS). The company remains privately held and family-controlled.

Key Facts

  • Founded: 1980
  • Founders: Saul Kent, William Faloon
  • Headquarters: 900 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
  • Parent Company: Biomedical Research & Longevity Society (private)
  • Employees: ~500
  • DSLD Products: 2,000+ products
  • E-commerce Ranking:
    • iHerb: #7 by total ratings (1,672,127 ratings)

Corporate History

Year Event
1977 Saul Kent and William Faloon found Florida Cryonics Association
1980 Life Extension Foundation established
1987 FDA raid on LEF premises (charges later dropped)
1995-96 All FDA charges dismissed
2013 IRS revokes nonprofit status (reinstated 2018)
2018 Renamed to Biomedical Research & Longevity Society
2023 Co-founder Saul Kent passes away

Ownership Structure

Biomedical Research & Longevity Society (Private)
│   • Formerly: Life Extension Foundation
│   • Founded: 1980
│   • Headquarters: Fort Lauderdale, FL
│   • President: Saul Kent (deceased 2023)
│   • VP/De facto CEO: William Faloon
│
├── Life Extension Quality Supplements and Vitamins, Inc.
│   │   • Commercial operations
│   │   • Supplement sales
│   │
│   └── Life Extension® Brand Portfolio
│       ├── Life Extension (main line)
│       ├── Wellness Code
│       ├── Florassist (probiotics)
│       ├── Geroprotect (longevity)
│       ├── Gummy Science
│       └── Omega Foundations
│
└── Life Extension Buyer's Club (Historical)
    • Membership-based sales
    • Separate EIN from foundation

Brand Portfolio

Main Brand: Life Extension

DSLD Brand ID: 196 Products: 1,962

Core product categories:

  • Vitamins & minerals
  • Anti-aging formulas
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Brain health / Nootropics
  • Hormone support

Sub-brands

Sub-brand Focus DSLD Products
Wellness Code Wellness formulas 41
Florassist Probiotic line 25
Geroprotect Longevity/anti-aging 7
Gummy Science Gummy supplements 6
Omega Foundations Omega-3 products 3

Product Philosophy

Core Principles

  1. Research-Funded: Funds anti-aging and longevity research
  2. Science-Based: Formulas based on published studies
  3. Premium Ingredients: Higher doses, clinically studied forms
  4. Transparency: Full ingredient disclosure
  5. Longevity Focus: Products designed to extend healthspan

Notable Formulations

  • Two-Per-Day: High-potency multivitamin
  • Super K: Comprehensive vitamin K formula
  • AMPK Metabolic Activator: Longevity-focused
  • NAD+ Cell Regenerator: Anti-aging
  • Cognitex: Brain health formula

Market Position

Competitive Advantages

  1. Longevity Expertise: Pioneer in anti-aging supplements
  2. Research Commitment: Funds scientific research
  3. Premium Positioning: Higher quality, higher price point
  4. Loyal Customer Base: Strong membership model
  5. Science Credibility: Extensive published research

E-commerce Performance

Platform Total Ratings Ranking
iHerb 1,672,127 #7

Controversies

FDA Conflicts (1987-1996)

The Life Extension Foundation had significant conflicts with the FDA:

  • 1987: Armed FDA raid on LEF premises
  • 1995-96: All charges eventually dropped
  • Foundation emerged as critic of FDA regulation

Tax Status (2013-2018)

  • 2013: IRS revoked nonprofit status (retroactive to 2006)
  • Issue: Operations too entwined with for-profit sales
  • 2018: Tax-exempt status reinstated

Distribution Partnerships

Life Extension serves as US distributor for select international products:

Partner Product Relationship
Helsinn Integrative Care Pomi-T US Distribution

Competitors

Brand Focus Similarity
Thorne Research Science-based ⭐⭐⭐ Premium positioning
Pure Encapsulations Hypoallergenic ⭐⭐ Science-based
Jarrow Formulas Branded ingredients ⭐⭐ Research focus

Data Sources

  1. Life Extension Official Website
  2. Wikipedia - Biomedical Research & Longevity Society
  3. Wikipedia - William Faloon
  4. Tracxn - Life Extension
  5. DSLD Database (brand_id: 196, 2,000+ products)
  6. from_the_refinery investigation (Group 2502)

Generated by DogTag System | Last verified: 2025-12-20

Live Data (Census)

E-Commerce Presence

Amazon

541 products

Top Reviewed Products
  • 16,375 reviews Life Extension Magnesium Caps, 500 mg, Magnesium Oxide, Citrate, and Succinate, …
  • 8,985 reviews Life Extension BioActive Complete B-Complex, Heart, Brain and Nerve Support, …
  • 7,913 reviews Life Extension Vitamin D3 125 mcg (5000 IU), Bone Health, Brain Performance, …

iHerb

331 products

Top Rated Products
  • 4.8/5 (96,586 ratings) BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules
  • 4.7/5 (82,249 ratings) Two-Per-Day Multivitamin, 120 Capsules
  • 4.7/5 (82,239 ratings) Two-Per-Day Multivitamin, 60 Capsules

Regulatory Data (DSLD)

Total Products
1962
Brand Variants
Life Extension (1962 products)
Product Types
  • 765 Other Combinations
  • 363 Non-Nutrient/Non-Botanical
  • 282 Botanical
  • 157 Vitamin
  • 129 Botanical with Nutrients
  • 92 Mineral
  • 62 Fat/Fatty Acid
  • 62 Amino acid/Protein
  • 22 Single Vitamin and Mineral
  • 15 Fiber and Other Nutrients
  • 13 Multi-Vitamin and Mineral (MVM)
Dosage Forms
  • 1126 Capsule
  • 406 Softgel Capsule
  • 270 Tablet or Pill
  • 95 Powder
  • 38 Lozenge
Core Ingredients (Top 5)
  • 336 Calcium
  • 314 Magnesium
  • 303 Vitamin C
  • 288 Vitamin D
  • 263 Zinc
Census data generated: 2025-12-20 09:29

Relationships

  • parent_company Biomedical Research & Longevity Society since 1980
  • distribution Helsinn Integrative Care

References