OpenAI Deepens Its Healthcare Ambitions

OpenAI has acquired healthcare technology startup Torch in a deal valued at approximately $60 million, according to a person familiar with the transaction. The acquisition marks another strategic step as OpenAI accelerates its expansion into healthcare focused artificial intelligence.

Neither OpenAI nor Torch publicly disclosed financial terms, but the deal was confirmed by both companies on Monday.

What Torch Brings to OpenAI

Torch has been developing what it describes as a “unified medical memory” for AI systems. The platform is designed to consolidate patient health information that is typically fragmented across hospitals, insurers, labs, and wearable devices into a single, structured layer that AI models can understand and use.

By bringing disparate medical records into one place, Torch aimed to make it easier for AI tools to generate more accurate insights, support clinical decision making, and improve patient engagement.

As part of the acquisition, Torch’s entire team will join OpenAI, integrating its technology and talent directly into OpenAI’s healthcare initiatives.

Leadership and Founder Background

Torch was led by CEO Ilya Abyzov, who previously co-founded Forward, a direct to consumer primary care startup that combined digital care with physical “CarePods.” Forward shut down operations abruptly in 2024, highlighting the volatility of the digital healthcare sector.

In a public post following the announcement, Abyzov said joining OpenAI would allow Torch’s technology to reach a far broader audience, noting that hundreds of millions of people already use ChatGPT to ask health related questions each week.

Tied to the Launch of ChatGPT Health

The acquisition comes shortly after OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT Health, a new product that allows users to connect medical records and wellness apps directly to the chatbot. The experience is designed to give users more personalized health insights while maintaining strict privacy and security controls.

Alongside consumer tools, OpenAI has also rolled out enterprise grade healthcare products aimed at hospitals, insurers, and life sciences companies. Early partners reportedly include major health systems such as HCA Healthcare, signaling OpenAI’s intent to move deeper into regulated medical environments.

A Broader M&A Strategy Takes Shape

OpenAI’s purchase of Torch follows a series of high profile moves to strengthen its competitive position against rivals such as Google and Anthropic. In December, the company hired Albert Lee from Google to lead corporate development, a hire widely seen as a signal that acquisitions would play a larger role in OpenAI’s growth strategy.

The company was active on the M&A front throughout 2025, most notably acquiring Jony Ive’s AI hardware startup io in a deal valued at more than $6 billion. That acquisition underscored OpenAI’s ambition to control both software and hardware layers of the AI ecosystem.

Positioning AI at the Center of Healthcare

With Torch now part of OpenAI, the company gains technology designed specifically to address one of healthcare’s biggest challenges: fragmented data. By combining large language models with unified medical records, OpenAI is positioning itself to play a central role in how AI is used by patients, clinicians, and health systems.

The deal signals that healthcare is no longer a side experiment for OpenAI, but a core pillar of its long term strategy as it looks to embed AI deeper into everyday life and critical industries.