Google is known for extending the innovation and excellence in its organization. This time, the technology giant takes it to a whole new level by venturing into the medical field by funding a research that may increase human lifespan called "Calico."
CEO and cofounder Larry Page announced that the company will soon start a new division named Calico. This new project will be led by Art Levinson, a biochemist and chairman for Genentech, a biotech company.
No official reports have been provided to date but Google shared that this medical arm will delve into research and development of technologies which would increase the lifespan of humans.
Larry Page wrote on his Google Plus account on Wednesday, “I’m excited to announce Calico, a new company that will focus on health and well-being, in particular the challenge of aging and associated diseases.” He goes on to say that people shouldn't be surprised when they invest in "strange or speculative" projects apart from its core internet-based enterprises.
Page acknowledged that the vision for the project is long-term but they see that it could provide "good progress within reasonable timescales" as long as they guided by the right purpose and equipped with the appropriate people.
Both Larry Page and cofounder Sergey Brin have both individual medical issues. Page was found to have vocal cord paralysis early this year, related to his 14-year nerve problems. It affected his speech limiting him from joining public speaking activities. Brin, on the other hand, is likely - with a 50% chance - to have Parkinson's disease. His mother contracted the disease at 49 which prompted him to fund hundred millions in dollars for the research on Parkinson's disease.
Calico is planned to be an entity apart from another research arm of the company, GoogleX. Other similar projects from Google's "Thinking in 10 X" is the Google Glass-- a microcomputer worn as spectacles.
