Unicorns 129/229 – Human Longevity

Unicorns 129/229 – Human Longevity


HUMAN LONGEVITY

Founders: J. Craig Venter, Peter Diamandis
Key people: Cynthia Collins (CEO), J. Craig Venter (Exec. Chairman), Kenneth J. Bloom (Pres.), Gary Altman (COO)
Number of employees: ~50

Human Longevity is a San Diego-based venture launched by Craig Venter and Peter Diamandis in 2013. Its goal is to build the world’s most comprehensive database on human genotypes and phenotypes, and then subject it to machine learning so that it can help develop new ways to fight diseases associated with aging. The company received US$80 million in investments in its Series A offering in summer 2014 and announced a further $220 million Series B investment offering in April 2016. It has made deals with drug companies Celgene and AstraZeneca to collaborate in its research.

While it is conducting research, the company is offering a wellness service known as “Health Nucleus,” which offers customers a range of medical tests such as a full genome sequencing and tests for early indications of cancers, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. This testing is meant to help people catch diseases earlier than otherwise possible and to identify risk factors for diseases later in life.