Gabriel Levesque-Tremblay

DEFYING EXPECTATIONS. Gabriel LevesqueTremblay’s journey from a small city in northern Quebec to becoming a pioneering biotechnology leader in the longevity space is nothing short of remarkable. As the co-founder of heXem bio, Gabriel is leveraging his expertise in molecular and synthetic biology to push the boundaries of science and improve human health. His story is one of determination and a relentless pursuit of innovation.

Gabriel’s fascination with the molecular biology can be traced back to his early years. Growing up in Chicoutimi, a relatively small city north of Quebec, he discovered his LGBTQIA+ identity during the 1990s—a time when being gay was far from accepted. By the age of 17, Gabriel knew he needed to leave his hometown. He moved to Montreal, where he could embrace his identity and pursue his passion for biotechnology. His academic journey took him to the University of British Columbia for a Ph.D. in Cell Biology, before moving to America for his postdoctoral studies in Synthetic Biology at UC Berkeley.

Gabriel’s career path has been defined by groundbreaking achievements and a drive to solve global challenges. Before launching heXem Bio, he co-founded Orbillion Bio, where he developed a game-changing algorithm for scaling up cultivated meat production. This innovation made commercializing low-cost cultivated beef possible, showcasing Gabriel’s ability to merge biology with artificial intelligence to create impactful solutions.

At heXem Bio, Gabriel and his team are making strides in the field of longevity. Their technology mimicking post-14-day embryos, published in the prestigious journal Nature and featured in the New York Times, has opened new avenues for understanding and combating aging. “We harness the power of developmental biology to rejuvenate cells,” Gabriel explains. “By reducing the cellular age of stem cells in the bone marrow, we can rejuvenate your stem cells and make the entire body feel decades younger.” heXem Bio’s research is not only groundbreaking but also offers hope for a healthier, longer life.

Gabriel’s openness about his sexuality has played a significant role in his journey. He admits that he once lacked self-confidence, in part due to the lack of representation in media and politics. However, as he has grown older, he has realized how being true to oneself is crucial for success. “Don’t try to hide yourself. Be honest and upfront,” he advises. “There will be stakeholders, investors out there who will see your diversity as a plus because you bring all of your experience. Don’t change yourself because it’s an asset.”

EMBRACING RISK. Reflecting on his experiences, Gabriel has learned the importance of embracing failure as a part of the learning process—with risk comes failure. “Failure is important. It helps you evolve and stay humble,” he says. This mindset has driven him to continually push the boundaries of what is possible, both in his personal and professional life. “Someone once said to me, ‘No risk, no reward,’ and I embody the risk/reward process. Personally, I see failure as something to celebrate.”

Gabriel’s pledge to improving human health is a lifelong commitment. He envisions a future where scientific advancements make it possible for people to live healthier, longer lives. “If you can take what you do and somehow make a better world for people after you, why not?” he states.

Ultimately, Gabriel’s optimism and belief in the power of science to solve global challenges are at the heart of his work. One of Gabirel’s personal goals is to make the world easier for the next generation: “How could you not dream that other people don’t have to go through the same hurdles you did? I want to make a world that’s easier and better for others.”