In Silicon Valley, there is a growing trend focusing on longevity, largely fueled by affluent individuals’ desire to prevent disease through routine screenings.
Biograph Launch and Leadership
Biograph has recently emerged from stealth mode, co-founded by Dr. Peter Attia, a prominent figure in longevity research. Attia, a Canadian-American physician, is well-known for his bestselling book “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” and his insightful podcast.
Joining him is John Hering, the company’s CEO and co-founder, who has a notable history in Silicon Valley. Hering made headlines for scanning celebrities’ smartphones at the 2005 Academy Awards and is recognized as an influential backer of Elon Musk’s ventures through his partnership with Vy Capital, where he has invested billions and notably contributed $500,000 to a pro-Trump super PAC.
Services and Offerings
Describing itself as the world’s most advanced preventive health and diagnostics clinic, Biograph operates its flagship location in Silicon Valley, with plans to open a facility in New York City this quarter, and aims for international expansion.
The clinic conducts over 30 evaluations, gathering more than 1,000 data points to provide a comprehensive health assessment and enhance longevity. Membership options include a Core membership priced at $7,500 annually, while the premium Black membership, which offers extensive insights, costs $15,000.
Funding and Backing
Funding for Biograph comes from investors such as Vy Capital, Human Capital, Alpha Wave, and Wndr Co, alongside angel contributors including Balaji Srinivasan. The total amount raised has not been disclosed by the company.
Inspirational Backstory
Hering’s motivation to establish Biograph stemmed from the cancer diagnosis of his friend Alexander Tamas, a partner at Vy Capital. Tamas highlighted how a screening in his late 30s led to an early diagnosis of thyroid cancer, which he credits with saving his life and spurring him to encourage Hering to undergo check-ups.
Health Insights and Future Directions
Biograph reports that over 15% of its members have uncovered critical and potentially life-saving health information through its services. The organization has been operational since 2020, as noted by Michael Doney, the executive medical director.
While the initial announcement does not mention artificial intelligence, Biograph is actively seeking a founding AI engineer to develop an AI-driven health assistant, as indicated on their careers page.
Market Context
Biograph is entering a burgeoning market of startups focused on prolonging human life. Other companies, such as Function Health, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz and aims for a $2 billion valuation, and Retro Biosciences, supported by Sam Altman, are also gaining traction as they seek significant investments to advance their missions.