Here's a way to raise money: Take on death

THE CHART TRACKS FUNDING TO LONGEVITY STARTUPS. THE 2018 FIGURE IS THROUGH SEPT. 25. (CB INSIGHTS)

Startups working on blood transfusions, placenta stem cells, and other anti-aging therapeutics are raising big money. Less than nine months into this year, companies in the space have already raised about $800 million, or as much as they raised in the two years prior, combined. That's according to a new report from the corporate data tracking company CB Insights.

Keep in mind, though, that a big chunk of that money has come from a few big deals: The San Diego-based anti-aging biotech Samumed raised $438 million back in August, and Celgene spinout Celularity raised $210 in February to develop cell therapies. And the total number of deals is on track to fall this year.

Much of the attention in the anti-aging field goes to Silicon Valley types who want to life forever and efforts to use turn young blood to turn back the clock. But a lot of what's going on, is, well, kind of boring. As the CB Insights report points out, one of the most common targets for startups in the field is good old-fashioned osteoarthritis.