a16z Bio + Health

To drive significant change in healthcare, the advancements need to be vastly superior to existing solutions. Vijay Pande, PhD, a16z general partner, provides the following example: creating an always-on infrastructure for real-time data analysis and patient monitoring leveraging AI would fundamentally transform clinical trials. Transformative benefits naturally pull adoption. Vijay and Julie Yoo discuss key considerations for those building disruptive tech in healthcare including providing advice for when to disrupt vs assimilate into existing structures. Get the insights on Raising Health: https://lnkd.in/gRJUPTB8

Integrating extensive personal health data with AI and the world’s health knowledge is the key to living 100 healthy years. Function Health is leading this transformation by offering robust lab testing twice a year, covering over 100 biomarkers—far more than traditional annual physical exams. This deep understanding of personal health data empowers individuals with actionable insights. Function unites all your health data—from labs, doctors, and wearables—into a single platform, providing personalized recommendations and early detection of health issues. This comprehensive approach makes healthcare proactive and personalized. Welcome Function Health to the a16z Bio + Health portfolio! https://lnkd.in/g4dNAcdt None of the above should be taken as investment advice or an advertisement for investment services; please see https://lnkd.in/gjmYWkHi for more information.

Regulation can be a catalyst for healthcare innovation. For instance, Chris Severn, Co-Founder & CEO at Turquoise Health, reached out to regulators about price transparency regs, and it led to impactful discussions that shaped the company’s path. Similarly, Jonathan Bush, CEO & Founder Zus Health, emphasizes how understanding and contributing to the regulatory framework can position startups to influence how laws are implemented, turning compliance into a competitive advantage. Both Chris and Jonathan join Julie Yoo, a16z general partner, and Colin Rom, a16z Bio+Health policy lead, to explore strategies for startups to engage with policymakers and leverage new regulations to drive innovation. Listen on Raising Health: https://lnkd.in/g7y4RcmG

As Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound capture the healthcare spotlight, we’ve developed a series of episodes that go beyond the headlines and take you into conversations with the specialists. 🔬 The Science of Satiety with Carolyn Bradner Jasik, MD: Vijay Pande, PhD and Carolyn discuss the science behind GLP-1s and their implications for obesity treatment highlighting the excitement in the medical community and the potential for GLP-1s to transform weight loss treatment while underscoring the importance of behavior change. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/g-z_jtP3 💡 Patient-Centered Care for Obesity with Brooke Boyarsky Pratt: Brooke, alongside Vineeta Agarwala, MD PhD, emphasizes the necessity of creating a holistic, evidence-based approach to treating obesity. She shares insights on how patient experiences can be improved through personalized care and the integration of medical and lifestyle interventions. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gV8eqV3X 💬 Access & Cost to Anti-Obesity Medication with Chronis Manolis: Chronis provided a payor and provider perspective, discussing the economic and logistical challenges of GLP-1s with Julie Yoo, Daisy Wolf, and William Shrank. The group discussed the importance of making these medications accessible while ensuring they are used appropriately to maximize benefits and manage costs effectively. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gvbByzGF Together, these experts shed light on the promising future of GLP-1 medications and the ongoing efforts to balance innovation with practical implementation in healthcare.

Congratulations to our portfolio company Pomelo Care on closing $46M in Series B funding! Pomelo Care’s virtual care model is transforming maternal and infant health by improving outcomes where traditional care falls short. Their innovative telemedicine approach focuses on identifying high-risk individuals and providing proactive, personalized care. Through partnerships with health plans across the country, they now cover over 3 million lives. Recent data proves the effectiveness of this model in reducing preeclampsia and mental health complications, showcasing the potential of virtual care to address healthcare disparities and improve accessibility for high-risk populations. Learn more about Pomelo Care’s impactful work:

Overweight and obesity are among America’s greatest healthcare challenges, affecting nearly 2 in 3 Americans and driving immense suffering and costs. We believe knownwell will transform obesity treatment by offering a comprehensive medical home for metabolic health. Through a hybrid virtual and in-person approach, knownwell provides primary and specialty care, including weight management, diabetes care, nutritional counseling, and behavioral health services. Guided by co-founders Brooke Boyarsky Pratt and Dr. Angela Fitch MD, FACP, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM, knownwell is dedicated to delivering empathetic, evidence-based care, free from bias and stigma. We’ve loved welcoming knownwell to the a16z Bio + Health portfolio over the past few months! Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eZmBESDD None of the above should be taken as investment advice or an advertisement for investment services; please see https://lnkd.in/gjmYWkHi for more information.

Most poor health outcomes stem from diseases we already know how to prevent or cure. The real problem lies in navigating a complex healthcare system and making better lifestyle choices. Improving the consumer experience can significantly enhance health monitoring, medication adherence, and lifestyle decisions. 🔹 Only 30% of Americans see a primary care provider. 🔹 50% of Americans don’t take their prescribed medications. 🔹 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy. Outsiders from tech have the experience to change consumer behavior. They can transform healthcare by making it user-friendly, just like Amazon did for retail or Uber for transportation. We need tech-driven solutions that simplify healthcare access and encourage healthier choices. Read “How We Live Longer” by Daisy Wolf, a16z investment partner, and Vijay Pande, PhD, a16z general partner: https://lnkd.in/gqqSz83d

"AI is not a nice to have; it's a necessity," says Pushmeet Kohli of Google DeepMind. In today's world, a single human mind can't comprehend the vast data we gather. AI steps in to fill this gap, making sense of complex data in fields like biology and genomics. Pushmeet joins a16z general partner, Vijay Pande, PhD, to discuss "industrialized" biology. Traditionally, biology labs have been manual and labor-intensive. AI, robotics, and other advanced technologies are now transforming these spaces, making processes more efficient and data-driven ultimately reducing time and costs. Listen on Raising Health: https://lnkd.in/gtPgTqPb

The healthcare industry is experiencing a labor crisis, with a shortage of skilled professionals and burnout among existing workers. AI and other next-generation technologies offer a promising opportunity to alleviate both clinical and administrative burdens. By implementing these advancements, the stress on physicians can be reduced, improving overall efficiency. Recently, Julie Yoo and Vijay Pande, PhD sat down to discuss the Grand Challenges in Healthcare AI on Raising Health. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/g8hnb9Kx

Developing safe and effective treatment for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory disease remains a significant unmet challenge in medicine. We believe Santa Ana Bio, Inc.’s novel therapeutics will overcome this hurdle by specifically targeting disease-specific cell subpopulations at the root of inflammatory disease pathology. Powered by a platform that integrates advanced protein engineering and a diverse range of multi-omic profiling techniques, Santa Ana’s precision therapeutics will “expand the reach of biologics to more patients across numerous inflammatory diseases” (as CEO Peter Emtage Ph.D. puts it). Welcome Santa Ana Bio, Inc. to the a16z Bio + Health portfolio! None of the above should be taken as investment advice or an advertisement for investment services; please see https://lnkd.in/gjmYWkHi for more information.