a16z Bio + Health

Providing compassionate, weight-inclusive care for obesity and metabolic health is a crucial step forward in addressing the growing health crisis in the U.S. knownwell’s expansion into Texas, where nearly one-third of the population faces obesity, brings their patient-first approach to a region that needs better care options. By combining in-person and virtual services, knownwell delivers effective, stigma-free care tailored to each patient’s unique health needs. Their commitment to inclusive, evidence-based medicine is driving better outcomes for patients of all sizes. Excitingly, Dr. Britta Reierson, MD, FAAFP, Diplomat Obesity Med joins as Medical Director of the Central U.S., helping lead this important expansion. Congratulations to knownwell! 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.

Developing next-generation gene therapies for neurological diseases has long been a critical challenge in the biotech space. We believe Dyno Therapeutics' cutting-edge platform will help overcome this barrier by designing AAV vectors optimized for gene delivery, immune evasion, and manufacturability. Powered by AI and Dyno’s LEAP technology, which enables billions of in vivo measurements each month, these custom AAV capsids aim to improve the safety and efficacy of gene therapies across multiple neurological targets. With their new partnership, Roche can harness these innovations to accelerate the development of transformative treatments for patients with life-altering neurological diseases. Congrats to Dyno Therapeutics on advancing gene therapy innovation! 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.

Developing targeted radiopharmaceuticals to treat cancer is a promising yet complex challenge in oncology. Alpha-9 Oncology is tackling this head-on by advancing a pipeline of highly selective radiopharmaceuticals designed to deliver radiation precisely to tumors while sparing healthy tissue. With their iterative approach to peptide engineering and molecule design, Alpha-9 is creating first-in-class and best-in-class therapies for multiple tumor types with high unmet needs. Welcome Alpha-9 Oncology 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.

Medicaid enrollment is complex, with varying state rules, confusing eligibility criteria, and lengthy processes. Many patients struggle to complete the process, leading to gaps in coverage. This not only harms vulnerable populations but also strains healthcare systems trying to deliver care. Recently, Nikita Singareddy joined a16z venture partner, William Shrank, to discuss how Fortuna Health is solving these problems. Listen on Raising Health: https://lnkd.in/gpVWd72g

In the midst of a busy #HLTH, where the health tech community is looking for solutions and impact, warm congratulations to a16z bio + health portfolio company Waymark for publishing peer-reviewed findings in NEJM Catalyst. Their findings demonstrate that technology-powered rising risk prediction, community-based intervention, and care team automation can significantly improve clinical outcomes for Medicaid members. 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.

How can employers offer more personalized and flexible health benefits? Chris Ellis and Adam Stevenson, cofounders of Thatch, recently joined a16z’s Julie Yoo and Jay Rughani to discuss how they help employers offer tax-free dollars to employees through ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement) allowing employees to choose their own health insurance instead of being restricted to a traditional group plan. Listen on Raising Health: https://lnkd.in/gDsSht2a

Counsel Health is tackling the growing need for accessible virtual healthcare solutions. With an $11M seed round, they’re expanding their services across the U.S., making it easier for patients to connect with healthcare providers remotely aiming to improve access to healthcare in both urban and rural areas, addressing a critical gap in the system. Welcome Counsel Health to the a16z Bio+Health portfolio! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gNHJtgJy 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.

Adapt quickly or risk falling behind. Jonathan L., Chairman and CEO of Erasca, Inc., recently sat down with Jorge Conde, general partner at a16z, to discuss the importance of swiftly embracing change. Drawing from his experience leading multiple companies that had to make significant adjustments to stay competitive, Lim emphasizes that whether you're navigating challenging market conditions or pursuing new scientific breakthroughs, delaying decisions can hinder progress. According to him, the faster you adapt, the better the outcomes. Listen to the full conversation on Raising Health: https://lnkd.in/gDsSht2a

How can we ensure that everyone has access to life-saving medications, regardless of where they live? Alchemy is tackling this challenge by empowering small, underserved healthcare clinics to manage their own in-house pharmacies. Right now, most large hospitals offer pharmacy services, but less than 20% of safety net clinics do. This leaves rural, low-income populations at a major disadvantage. Alchemy provides these clinics with the tools and infrastructure they need to offer medication fulfillment, improve patient care, and create a sustainable revenue model for the clinics themselves. We're excited to partner with Alchemy! Read the full investment thesis from Julie Yoo and Jay Rughani: https://lnkd.in/enPiQySA 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.

What if chronic diseases could be treated by targeting and eliminating the root cause—dysfunctional cells? Arda Therapeutics is pioneering a bold approach to selectively eliminate disease-causing cells. With advances in single-cell RNA sequencing and proteomics, Arda identifies specific cell populations responsible for conditions like fibrosis and autoimmune disorders. Their platform enables precision targeting of harmful cells while sparing healthy tissue, an approach that builds upon and extends the success of cell clearing therapies in cancer. Read the full investment thesis from a16z general partner, Vineeta Agarwala, MD PhD, and a16z investment partner, Becky Pferdehirt, PhD: https://lnkd.in/dFE66853 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.