Lark Health and 23andMe Collaborate to Integrate Genetic Information in Two New Health Programs

January 8, 2019

Lark’s clinically validated AI coaching programs provide new ways for 23andMe customers to take action on their genetic information

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – January 8, 2019 – Lark Health, the leader in chronic disease prevention and management using AI, and 23andMe, the leading consumer genetics company, are collaborating to integrate 23andMe genetic information into Lark’s Wellness Program and CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). Through the collaboration, 23andMe Health + Ancestry customers can access personalized AI coaching to help them lose weight and improve wellness and, for those at risk, help prevent type 2 diabetes using their unique genetic information.

“Access to your genetic information is really just the beginning — using that information to prevent serious health consequences is the next critical step,” said Anne Wojcicki, chief executive officer and co-founder of 23andMe. “Our collaboration with Lark enables 23andMe customers to use their genetic information in a clinically validated program to help them make lifestyle changes to improve their health.”

23andMe previously conducted research on more than 400,000 consenting customers and found genetic variants that are associated with an individual’s body weight. 23andMe researchers also identified several lifestyle choices that are associated with the biggest weight differences in individuals with similar genetic information, lending insight into how those choices may impact healthy weight and overall wellness.

Working with 23andMe’s product science team, Lark incorporated this information into its AI coaching programs, providing a truly personalized experience. For example, the Lark AI coach makes personalized food recommendations using 23andMe’s Genetic Weight Report results to rank the potential impact of certain food choices on a customer’s weight. The AI coach will also personalize recommendations based on several other 23andMe reports such as Saturated Fat and Weight, Lactose Intolerance, and Sleep Movement.

To date, 1.9 million people have used Lark’s Wellness Program and Diabetes Prevention Program. Lark’s data show that using personalized AI coaching helps individuals improve their overall health and wellness. More than 75 percent of customers achieve weight loss, and nearly half increase their activity levels by more than 25 percent. More than 80 percent increase their activity levels by some amount.

“We’re thrilled 23andMe chose Lark for this innovative collaboration that has the potential to impact weight loss counseling and diabetes prevention,” said Lark Health CEO and co-founder Julia Hu. “Together, we have launched a new type of personalized and scalable counseling platform for chronic condition management based on genetics, and we hope to help millions live healthier lives more easily.”

For more information and product images, please visit the medit kit, available here: www.lark.com/media-kit-lark-23andme.

About Lark Health

Lark Health is the leading chronic disease prevention and management platform using proven, A.I. health coaching to deliver better health outcomes at scale. Lark uses cutting edge A.I. and connected health monitors, which can be combined with human coaches, to provide real-time, personalized, 24/7 support and counseling to help users make healthier choices and manage their conditions. Lark’s CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), Wellness Program, Diabetes Care Program, and Hypertension Program have 1.9 million users and have demonstrated clinically validated improved health outcomes published in 11 peer-reviewed journals and analyst reports. Lark’s works with some of the largest payers and self-insured employers to help their members’ live healthier lives. Founded by CEO Julia Hu, the company was named “Most Innovative Digital Health Product of the Year” by Forrester Research, “Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the World” alongside Uber and Airbnb, and Google’s “Best of the Year”. To learn more, visit www.lark.com.

About 23andMe

23andMe, Inc., headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA, is a leading consumer genetics and research company. Founded in 2006, the company’s mission is to help people access, understand, and benefit from the human genome. 23andMe has pioneered direct access to genetic information as the only company with multiple FDA clearances for genetic health reports. The company has created the world’s largest crowdsourced platform for genetic research, with 80% of its customers electing to participate. The 23andMe research platform has generated more than 180 publications on the genetic underpinnings of a wide range of diseases. The platform also powers the 23andMe Therapeutics group, currently pursuing drug discovery programs rooted in human genetics across a spectrum of disease areas, including oncology, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases, in addition to other therapeutic areas. More information is available at www.23andMe.com.