A New Approach to Longevity and Preventive Health
Longevity and preventive healthcare are gaining momentum, particularly among Silicon Valley elites who are eager to invest in early disease detection and cutting-edge health optimization. Leading this charge is Biograph, a startup co-founded by Dr. Peter Attia, a renowned longevity expert and author of Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, and John Hering, a prominent entrepreneur and investor.
Biograph describes itself as the “world’s most advanced preventive health and diagnostics clinic”, offering high-tech, deeply personalized health evaluations. The company has already established its first clinic in San Mateo, California, with plans to launch a second location in New York City by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
With its highly sophisticated testing and analytics platform, Biograph claims to provide members with early insights into potential health risks, allowing them to make proactive choices about their longevity and overall well-being.
Inside Biograph: What Services Does It Offer?
Biograph’s approach is based on collecting extensive data from each member through a series of advanced medical tests. According to the company, each member undergoes more than 30 different evaluations, generating over 1,000 data points to create a comprehensive health profile.
Dr. Michael Doney, Biograph’s executive medical director, explains that traditional healthcare often fails to provide a holistic picture of one’s health, whereas Biograph’s model offers “the most in-depth analysis of a broad range of health factors, enabling members to not only extend their lifespan but, more importantly, to optimize their healthspan and overall quality of life.”
Key Services Offered by Biograph
- Whole-Body MRI Scans – Detects early signs of cancer, multiple sclerosis, and liver disease.
- CT Coronary Calcium Scan – Evaluates heart health by measuring calcium buildup in the arteries.
- Coronary CT Angiography (Black Membership Only) – Provides a highly detailed look at heart vessels and plaque buildup.
- AI-Powered Vascular Plaque Characterization – Uses artificial intelligence to analyze cardiovascular risks.
- DEXA Body Composition Testing – Measures fat, muscle, and bone density.
- EKG (Electrocardiogram) – Assesses heart rhythm and detects irregularities.
- At-Home Sleep Apnea Testing – Evaluates breathing disorders that may impact long-term health.
Biograph’s evaluations focus on five major health pillars, ensuring members receive a personalized roadmap for their health:
- Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease – Assessing heart disease risk.
- Metabolic Dysfunction – Addressing diabetes, obesity, and related conditions.
- Brain Health & Neurodegenerative Disease – Detecting early signs of cognitive decline.
- Cancer Risk & Early Detection – Identifying potential warning signs before symptoms appear.
- Quality of Life Metrics – Measuring factors that impact overall well-being and longevity.
Dr. Attia, who has been a long-time advocate for precision medicine and early detection, supports Biograph’s evidence-based approach. He has stated, “Biograph’s evaluation is best in class, which is why I recommend my patients start here.”
How Biograph Could Help You Live Longer
Biograph’s philosophy is rooted in prevention rather than reaction. Instead of waiting until symptoms develop, the company provides a proactive health strategy, allowing individuals to address potential risks years before they become life-threatening conditions.
According to Biograph, over 15% of its members have already discovered “urgent or life-altering health insights” through its services, including early-stage cancers, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative conditions.
John Hering, co-founder of Biograph, was personally inspired by his close friend and business partner, Alexander Tamas, who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer during a routine check-up in his late 30s. “With the proper application of advanced medical technology and early detection, we can save lives,” Hering said, emphasizing that investing in early health diagnostics is one of the most important steps individuals can take toward longevity.
The Cost of Membership: A Pricey Investment in Health
Biograph is not cheap, but for those who can afford it, the company promises unparalleled access to cutting-edge health technology and insights.
Biograph currently offers two membership tiers:
- Core Membership: $7,500 per year – Includes all essential health diagnostics, including whole-body MRI scanning.
- Black Membership: $15,000 per year – Adds coronary CT angiography, AI-driven vascular plaque analysis, at-home sleep testing, and other advanced health assessments.
Additionally, Biograph operates on an invitation-only basis, ensuring that members receive concierge-level service and a personalized experience.
Biograph’s Investors and Future Growth Plans
Biograph has received funding from several high-profile investors, including Vy Capital, Human Capital, Alpha Wave, and WndrCo, as well as individual investors such as Balaji Srinivasan. However, the total amount raised has not been disclosed.
The company’s long-term vision includes expanding beyond the U.S. and potentially scaling internationally as interest in preventive health and longevity continues to grow.
Criticism and Controversy: What Are the Detractors Saying?
Despite Biograph’s ambitious goals, not everyone is convinced that whole-body scanning and early disease detection will lead to significantly longer lifespans.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has expressed concerns about screening healthy individuals, arguing that such procedures often lead to false positives, resulting in unnecessary tests, additional medical procedures, and high costs.
The ACR released a statement in 2023 warning, “There is no evidence that total-body screening is cost-efficient nor effective at prolonging life. In addition, such procedures will lead to the identification of numerous nonspecific findings that will not ultimately improve patients’ health but will result in unnecessary follow-up testing and procedures, as well as significant expense.”
Additionally, there’s a broader conversation about whether longevity startups like Biograph are only accessible to the ultra-wealthy. While the promise of longer, healthier lives is appealing, critics argue that these services remain out of reach for the average person, raising ethical concerns about who gets access to the latest medical advancements.
The Future of Longevity with Biograph
Biograph is part of a rapidly growing industry focused on longevity and preventive health, alongside other startups like Function Health (backed by Andreessen Horowitz) and Retro Biosciences (supported by OpenAI’s Sam Altman).
While some experts question the long-term efficacy and accessibility of these services, Biograph’s founders believe they are pioneering a new era in healthcare, shifting the focus from treating disease to preventing it altogether.
As Dr. Doney puts it, “We are committed to providing the most in-depth analysis of a broad range of health factors, enabling members to not only extend their lifespan but, more importantly, to optimize their healthspan and overall quality of life.”
For those who can afford the price tag, Biograph may represent one of the most advanced personal health strategies available today, offering a data-driven, evidence-based approach to living a longer and healthier life.
