Google's Comprehensive Internet Healthcare Layout and Product Portfolio

Google has long maintained a strong interest in the healthcare sector. According to The Wall Street Journal, only 9% of Google Ventures’ funding went to healthcare and life sciences companies in 2013, with this proportion rising to 36% in 2014. Bill Maris, head of Google’s venture capital arm Google Ventures, stated that more exciting developments were expected in Google’s life sciences initiatives in 2015.

In March 2013, Maris recruited genetics expert Andrew Conrad to Google, appointing him as the head of the Google X life sciences team. Conrad had previously pioneered a widely accessible, low-cost HIV testing method for screening donated plasma. After joining Google’s research division, Google X, he assembled an expert team of 70 to 100 members, spanning fields such as physiology, biochemistry, optics, imaging, and molecular biology. (Note: The Google X lab, located in San Francisco, USA, is known as Google’s most secretive entity, staffed by top-tier experts poached from other high-tech companies, major universities, and research institutions.)

Distribution of Google Ventures Projects in 2013

2014 Distribution of Google Ventures Projects

VCBeat has mapped out Google’s trajectory in the digital health sector, with a categorized summary as follows:


Smart Wearables or Smart Hardware

As early as April 2012, Google launched the globally sensational augmented reality version of Google Glass, priced at $1,500 (approximately RMB 9,300). Subsequently, related reports emerged in quick succession. In July 2013, Accenture partnered with Philips to complete an unprecedented validation of Google Glass in medical applications, yielding eye-opening results.
Royal Philips and Accenture Announce Launch of Study to Validate the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Using Google Glass Head-Mounted Displays in Improving Surgical Procedures

Google Glass can also serve as a medical education tool. Physicians can present surgical procedures to students from a first-person perspective; another interesting application involves recording surgical processes. In hospitals, doctors use Google Glass during patient consultations.

At the 2013 DEMO conference in California, Pristine announced the development of medical applications for Google Glass. One application, named “Pristine CheckLists,” automates workflows within hospitals. Another application, called “Pristine EyeSight,” enables physicians wearing Google Glass to capture and stream treatment procedures via the device’s camera.

Even more remarkable features include an application developed by Augmedix for Google Glass that provides real-time access to patients’ electronic health records (EHRs); software platforms such as OneDx, which enable mobile access to patient imaging and information; a Google Glass app called “RaceYourself,” which allows users to “compete against themselves” for fitness purposes; and a prototype app named CPRGLASS (CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation), developed by Dr. Christian Assad and colleagues for Google Glass, which can instantly transform the device into a life-saving tool.

In summary, Google Glass is transforming the future of medicine in three most remarkable ways:
1. Enhance realism in surgical procedures;
2. Electronic Medical Records and Bedside Care;
3. Automated Personal Health Care

In September 2014, Wearable Intelligence (WI) developed wearable device software capable of instantly presenting data to professionals in the healthcare and energy sectors. WI claims that its technology can display any type of clinical data on Google Glass, including data retrieved directly from electronic health record (EHR) systems. It can also display real-time data streams from vital organs (such as a patient’s heart rate), along with alerts, unexpected events, and error notifications. In hospital settings, wearable devices can show physicians information such as patient lists, room numbers, patient names, primary symptoms, attending physicians, and laboratory results. Once a patient’s test results are available, the system can also push notifications to the physician.

However, the development of Google Glass did not proceed without setbacks. On January 19, 2015, Google discontinued the “Explorer” program for Google Glass. During Google’s fourth-quarter earnings conference call on January 30, 2015, Patrick Pichette, Google’s Chief Financial Officer, expressed a lack of optimism regarding the future of Google Glass. Nevertheless, the situation soon took a dramatic turn. On March 23, 2015, Eric Schmidt, Google’s Executive Chairman, announced that Google would continue developing Google Glass, emphasizing that the technology was too important to abandon.

Following Google Glass, Google is now exploring smart contact lenses. On July 15, 2014, Google announced a partnership with the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis to further develop the smart contact lens invented by Google X Lab. This lens can help diabetic patients monitor their blood glucose levels by analyzing the glucose content in their tears, thereby sparing them the pain of blood sampling for testing.

The revelation of this news has garnered significant attention from the industry, with many believing it to be a boon for the 382 million diabetes patients worldwide, as it has the potential to end the long-standing, painful history of skin-piercing blood sampling.

In August 2013, media reports revealed that Google had secretly acquired WIMM Labs, a smartwatch manufacturer. The company had previously launched the WIMM One, an Android-powered smartwatch, in 2011. However, in the summer of 2012, it abruptly announced the discontinuation of its products, citing an exclusive technical partnership with an anonymous company. It is now widely speculated that this unnamed partner was Google.

On May 24, 2014, reports emerged that Google was planning to acquire wearable device manufacturer Jawbone for billions of dollars. According to Silicon Valley media, Google might acquire Jawbone, a producer of smart wristbands and Bluetooth headsets.

In addition to wearable devices, Google is also developing corresponding platforms. In March 2014, Google released Android Wear, an operating system designed specifically for wearable devices. This system is a modified version of Android, built upon Google Now’s voice recognition technology and tailored for wearable computing devices, with its initial application in smartwatches. Industry experts believe that in the rapidly growing mobile health market, Android Wear will be the perfect complement to Google Fit.

In September 2014, Google announced that it was acquiring Lift Labs, a biotechnology company. Lift Labs is a small team whose flagship product is the Liftware smart spoon, designed to help patients with Parkinson’s disease “eat normally.” Many patients struggle to feed themselves independently due to limb tremors, often spilling food everywhere. Liftware works by detecting and counteracting these tremors. As a result, patients’ ability to live independently is significantly enhanced, allowing them to focus more on social interaction during meals. The spoon is priced at $295.

In February 2015, Google X re-entered the wearable device market with the launch of a medical-grade wristband designed for cancer detection. This high-tech wristband is intended for clinical use to detect circulating tumor cells in the human body. The development team stated that users would need to take two pills containing nanoparticles once a month. Magnets embedded in the wristband would then collect these nanoparticles and analyze them for the presence of cancer cell markers. This approach aims to enable users to gain early insights into their health status.

Meanwhile, Google has submitted a new patent to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), proposing that future smartbands could emit energy pulses to eliminate cancer cells in the wearer’s bloodstream. The patent references a technology termed “Nanoparticle Phoresis.” According to the patent, this wearable device can “automatically alter or destroy one or more targets in the blood that are detrimental to health,” such as enzymes, hormones, proteins, cells, or other molecules—substances that affect the wearer’s medical condition or physical well-being.

Google is also optimistic about the application of artificial intelligence in life sciences. By developing a “learning” system, it helps diagnose thousands of diseases—a feat beyond the capability of any single physician. Additionally, its brain-machine interface technology facilitates a deeper understanding of the brain in conditions such as traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.

It is precisely for this reason that on March 30 of this year, Johnson & Johnson announced that Google would join forces with its subsidiary Ethicon to create a “robot-assisted surgical platform.” The specific details of the collaboration are not yet known and are expected to be finalized in the coming months.

Robotic surgery can refer to autonomously operating robots, but it typically denotes tools controlled by surgeons via computer screens. Surgical robots significantly increase procedural costs and may lead to legal liabilities; for instance, the da Vinci Surgical System was investigated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 following five reported deaths. However, with technological advancements, robots have the potential to excel in surgical precision under ideal conditions.

In June 2015, Google launched its next major initiative—the wearable revolution. At its annual developer conference, Google recently unveiled “Project Jacquard,” a collaboration with the apparel brand Levi’s to develop smart conductive fiber garments featuring touch-sensitive remote control capabilities. The products are expected to hit the market in the fall of the following year, marking the launch of Project Jacquard to create smart clothing. Specifically, smart clothing involves the development of textiles capable of detecting touch and recognizing gestures. Designers can add new functional layers at will to create a wide variety of garments without needing to understand electronic components.

Telemedicine

On November 28, 2012, Google invested in Transcriptic, a company dedicated to reducing research costs by developing “next-generation laboratory automation and virtualization technologies” that enable scientists to conduct biological research using their laptops. It aims to create a project for the life sciences with significance comparable to that of “cloud computing” in the internet over the past decade, thereby addressing the challenge of costly laboratory construction. Through Transcriptic, researchers can remotely perform certain basic experiments. Currently, clients are already utilizing Transcriptic for plasmid construction and molecular cloning.

In October 2013, Google invested in One Medical, an innovative primary care service provider and a pioneer in transforming healthcare delivery models by enhancing patient experience and medical efficiency through digitalization and paperless operations. Via its website and mobile app, patients can schedule same-day appointments, request prescription refills, access digital laboratory test results, and view their personal health summaries, while physicians can access electronic medical records.

Google has also invested in the telemedicine platform DoctorOnDemand, which offers video consultations with physicians. Users can pay for consultations on DoctorOnDemand by connecting directly with doctors via video or VoIP calls. Prior to the consultation, users may describe their symptoms and upload relevant medical images. DoctorOnDemand primarily focuses on minor ailments, encouraging users to seek advice for “non-urgent clinical issues,” such as the common cold, rashes, and myopia.

In February 2014, the digital media platform for medical technology, HIT Consultant, reported that Google partnered with Quest Diagnostics to facilitate and enhance communication between physicians and patients. Patients can access diagnostic laboratory services, which provide diagnostic test information from more than 100,000 physicians across China. Quest Diagnostics is developing a solution that offers physicians a simple and user-friendly method to ensure patients receive their test results safely and accurately.

Subsequently, in October of the same year, Google officially entered the telemedicine sector by launching Healthcare Helpouts, a comprehensive consultation platform that allows users to address medical inquiries via video chat with responses provided by medical experts. This innovative model enables budget-constrained physicians to diagnose patients through video conferencing.

Helpouts aims to provide users with real-time remote guidance from experts across various fields, ranging from home maintenance to personal fitness training, via online video. The video conferencing feature of Helpouts will be powered by Google+ Hangouts, meaning that users must have a Google+ account to access the service. Furthermore, professional technical services on the Helpouts platform will be provided by third-party agencies or organizations. Users can compare and select service providers based on their quality, scope of services, and overall ratings. The service will also be available on smartphone platforms.

But the good times were short-lived; Helpouts was discontinued less than a year after its launch. On Friday, February 14, 2015, Google announced that it would shut down its video Q&A service, Helpouts, on April 20.

Meanwhile, Google promptly launched a similar service to Helpouts, called Google Trail, which allows users to accurately understand their medical conditions through video consultations with doctors. Notably, Google will cover the costs of physician diagnoses during the testing phase of Google Trail. However, once the service is officially launched, users will need to pay the third-party institutions or organizations providing professional technical services on the platform. The specific amounts and billing methods will be determined by the providers themselves.

Medical Big Data

As a search engine giant, Google boasts the most powerful digital platform. In 2009, its successful prediction of winter influenza transmission sparked a wave of big data transforming public health.

In September 2012, Google invested in Predilytics, an information technology company that provides insights for the healthcare insurance sector by leveraging big data and machine learning technologies to generate accurate and reliable results. Compared with traditional, conventional statistical and regression models, its anomaly prediction models offer one to three times greater analytical depth.

Predilytics assists users in developing health plans, attracting and retaining patient records, and improving the efficiency of healthcare management. Its services also include risk assessment and quality evaluation, clinical and care management, customer acquisition and retention, as well as provider payment and benefit optimization.

On May 8, 2014, Flatiron Health, a healthcare startup specializing in big data analytics for cancer, secured $130 million in Series B funding, led by Google Ventures.

Flatiron Health, founded in 2012, specializes in providing big data solutions for oncology research and clinical practice. Healthcare professionals and researchers can obtain in-depth, actionable insights on cancer data, track hundreds of metrics related to cancer treatment, and match patients with clinical trials in real time, all without changing their existing workflows or requiring additional staff for manual data entry.

Following this round of financing, Flatiron will acquire Altos Solutions, a company dedicated to developing cloud-based electronic order entry tools for oncologists. Google Ventures stated that the strong technological complementarity between the two companies would accelerate business development while maintaining a specialized focus on cancer care.

On July 25, 2014, Google launched a new scientific research initiative called the Baseline Study, aiming to comprehensively define what constitutes a healthy human body. To accomplish this project, Google will anonymously collect genetic and molecular information from 175 individuals, with plans to gather data from thousands more in the future. This initiative is also part of Andrew Conrad’s projects under Google X.

On February 11, 2015, Google, the search giant, announced improvements to its medical information search functionality by adjusting medical keywords for over 400 common conditions and integrating expanded medical data into its “Knowledge Graph” system. This medical information appears in Google’s Knowledge Graph, enabling users to access details about specific conditions and their treatments. Compared with direct searches via the Google search box, the Knowledge Graph provides users with faster and more convenient access to relevant medical information.

To ensure the accuracy of medical information included in the “Knowledge Graph,” Google has partnered with the non-profit Mayo Clinic to jointly verify the precision of the data. Google requires that any medical information be reviewed by 11 different physicians before it can be incorporated into the database.

Gene Technology

Google is highly optimistic about life science technologies in genetic research. Google Ventures has shown strong interest in leveraging genetic technologies to combat cancer, particularly those capable of identifying which gene mutations lead to specific types of cancer. Regarding leading-edge genetic technologies such as CRISPR—a powerful “genome editing” tool that can trim, cut, replace, or add sequences within an organism’s DNA—Google stated, “CRISPR is one of the most exciting areas of research in the life sciences market.” This technology holds the potential to cure intractable genetic disorders.

In May 2007, Google began investing in 23andMe, a pioneer in genetic testing. This company provides fully personalized DNA testing services to customers. By mailing in a saliva sample and paying $99, customers can undergo DNA testing. The test results are available within 4–6 weeks and can be viewed online. The final report covers more than 250 health-related traits and even includes information such as genealogy, medical history, inherited traits, and predictions of drug responses. 23andMe also introduced a community model, allowing customers to form unique circles based on their genetic profiles and link their personalized pages with one another.

In December 2010, an investment was made in iPierian, a gene therapy company. iPierian is a biotechnology startup that leverages cell programming technologies to treat diseases by modifying genes. The company specializes in tackling intractable conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, spinal muscular atrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), while also utilizing stem cells for new drug development. Its leadership in the technology sector will accelerate the development of novel therapies, thereby applying induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to patients with difficult-to-treat diseases.

In October 2011, Google successively invested in the cancer genomics company Foundation Medicine and the cloud-based genomic database DNAnexus.

The former is a company that provides whole-genome sequencing and analysis for cancer, ushering “personalized medicine” into a new realm by enabling physicians to devise targeted cancer treatment plans based on patients’ genetic information. Steve Jobs once utilized this service; although it did not save his life, he firmly believed that this endeavor held profound value.
Google Ventures also holds a 4% stake in Foundation Medicine. In January 2015, the biotechnology company Roche acquired a majority stake in Foundation Medicine.

The latter is a startup dedicated to building a cloud-based DNA database and providing this data to researchers and scientists. Google and DNAnexus are jointly creating a massive open-access DNA database and will together take over the data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) of the U.S. federal government. These data will be integrated into DNAnexus’s historical DNA information archives and stored on Google’s cloud computing servers, representing the largest third-party dataset hosted on Google Cloud. Access to this resource will be provided free of charge to medical researchers.

Regarding autism, research has found that early intervention can significantly improve the condition. In July 2013, Google invested in SynapDx, a pioneer in autism detection. SynapDx aims to combine blood tests, gene activity profiles, and advanced bioinformatics technologies to enable parents and physicians to diagnose autism in children faster and earlier than with existing methods, thereby increasing the potential for successful treatment.
Stan Lapidus believes that his company will be able to optimize treatments in the field of autism, as doctors previously relied on external behavioral observations for diagnosis, which was prone to misdiagnosis and lacked a solid scientific basis. SynapDx will provide a robust “scientific basis” for autism through blood-based genetic testing.

In January 2015, Google launched the Google Genomics project, its first proprietary product marking its entry into the DNA era. This initiative leverages Google’s cloud infrastructure to provide application programming interfaces (APIs) for storing, processing, analyzing, and sharing DNA sequences. By connecting and comparing thousands—soon to be millions—of genomes, Google aims to drive more medical discoveries over the next decade. David Glazer, the software engineer leading the project, stated, “Our opportunity lies in harnessing breakthroughs in data technology to help facilitate this transformation.”

Novel Therapeutic Agents

In September 2013, Google announced the establishment of Calico, an anti-aging research company. Calico is not an incubated project under Google X Lab but was established as an independent entity. Currently known as a healthcare and wellness company, Calico primarily conducts research on human aging and related diseases, with the aim of extending human lifespan.

In March 2014, it was reported that Google, in collaboration with a medical technology company, launched a smart pill powered by stomach acid. Developed by Google’s ATAP (Advanced Technology and Products Group) in partnership with Proteus, this smart pill essentially integrates a sensor into a conventional pill. The sensor, with a surface area of just one square millimeter, remains in the gastrointestinal tract after ingestion. As the pill dissolves, the sensor stays behind to record various physiological data, such as heart rate, and transmits this information to a patch adhered to the skin. The patch then relays the data via Bluetooth to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, where an app records, displays, and analyzes the user’s health status.

On September 12, 2014, Calico, the biotechnology company controlled by Google, has recently made significant moves. The company announced that it has reached a cooperation agreement with UT Southwestern to jointly conduct research and development on drugs for neurodegenerative diseases.

On November 3, 2014, it was reported that Google had begun developing a cancer-detection pill. This pill is filled with nanoparticles specifically designed to target certain cancer-related molecules in the bloodstream. Coupled with a wrist-worn wearable device, the system can alert individuals who may be at risk. The prototype is currently being tested in artificial limbs, but the concept shows great promise. Following human trials, Google will need to obtain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Due to significant regulatory debates surrounding novel pills—such as feasibility and the timeline for approval—the project remains in its early stages.

The fundamental mechanism of these nanoparticles operates as follows: you ingest a small capsule filled with nanoparticles, which, upon absorption by your body, enters the bloodstream. These nanoparticles are smaller than one two-thousandth the size of a red blood cell. Their diminutive size allows them to penetrate various parts of the body, circulating through the blood and immune systems. They are highly biocompatible particles—many such nanoparticles have already received FDA approval for use in imaging and as fillers, because their primary component is iron oxide, similar to the iron supplements taken daily. They can be modified with proteins, amino acids, and DNA to achieve tighter binding to target entities.

On May 26, 2015, Google invested in Rani Therapeutics, a company focused on developing oral formulations for peptides, proteins, antibodies, RNAi therapeutics, vaccines, and other drugs. Rani Therapeutics can convert various large-molecule injectables into oral dosage forms by encapsulating both the drug and a micro-injector within a capsule. This capsule is designed to withstand the physical and chemical environment of the stomach, reaching the small intestine intact. Once in the small intestine, an internal spring deploys a needle that injects the drug into the intestinal wall. Rani Therapeutics reports having achieved double-digit oral bioavailability, although all candidates remain in the preclinical stage.

Health Record Management

Given that Google Search already contains a vast amount of information on injuries, illnesses, and medical health advice, expanding into the field of medical record management is a natural business extension for Google.

On February 21, 2008, Google planned to announce a pilot medical services initiative that involved storing the medical records of thousands of patients. This plan could further exacerbate public concerns about the leakage of sensitive information. Google’s initiative would involve 1,500 to 10,000 patients from Cleveland Clinic who had voluntarily opted to participate. Each patient’s health record, including physician prescriptions, allergy history, and medical history, would be protected by passwords.

Subsequently, in 2008, Google launched Google Health, a personal medical record management service. Its primary features included enabling users to create their own online medical records, download medical records from physicians and pharmacies, access personalized medical guidance, verify physician credentials, and share medical information with family members or healthcare providers.

This tool and platform, designed to provide integrated electronic health information for patients, ultimately failed after four years of operation due to a lack of engagement from healthcare professionals and concerns over personal privacy. Google Health announced the shutdown of this service effective January 1, 2012.

On May 28, 2009, Google Wave was launched. Subsequently, in an effort to secure a $19 billion contract for the U.S. healthcare cloud, Google deployed its most advanced technology, Google Wave, to support electronic health record (EHR) services for major American hospitals. Google Wave could aggregate medical data from multiple sources and visualize them as timelines. However, its adoption faced significant obstacles, and on August 4, 2010, Google announced it would discontinue the development and operation of Google Wave, its real-time communication and collaboration tool.

In July 2009, patient records from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which were likely stored in centralized databases at the time, were handed over to Microsoft and Google for management. Under the plan, if platforms such as Google Health and Microsoft HealthVault gained access to these medical records, the Conservative Party estimated—based on statistics reported by The Daily Mail that year—that the initiative would save £80 million annually.

Healthcare Applications

In June 2014, at the Google I/O Developer Conference, Google launched its health-tracking application development platform, Google Fit, which tracks users’ daily activities through sensors or compatible wearable devices. In the same month, Apple also unveiled a new mobile application platform at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.

On June 3, 2015, Google confirmed that it was testing a healthcare application called Study Kit. Developed by Google X, Study Kit is part of the Baseline Study project.



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