Healz AI: Cancer Chatbot Reaches $100,000 ARR

Healz AI, a specialized assistant for cancer patients, announces $100,000 in annual recurring revenue and a user base primarily composed of oncology patients. The tool, designed to complement doctors, provided a decisive second opinion in a T-cell lymphoma case reported by a psychiatrist from Atlanta who has since become an investor. The startup, backed by Alexey Dosovitskiy, plans to raise additional funds in the coming months.

$100,000 in ARR, 97% of patients, and 70% retention

After a limited initial rollout, Healz AI reports that its recurring revenue has doubled each month between June and August, reaching $100,000 in annual recurring revenue by early September. According to the startup, 97% of its current users are individuals suffering from cancer. It adds that most interact with the app daily or weekly, and its monthly retention rate was 70%. Some of the other users are doctors who use it as a referral tool.

An assistant that complements doctors and questions before concluding

Healz AI positions itself as a complement to human doctors, not a substitute. The chatbot helps patients understand their diagnosis, find oncologists, interpret exams and tests, and navigate treatment and recovery. To limit adherence biases, its "root mode" encourages the model to ask up to 20 follow-up questions before reaching any conclusions or suggestions. Technically, the application does not use its own base model but rather existing models, layered over a memory system and internal workflows. This system is designed to absorb large volumes of medical records; one user has uploaded 1,500 documents. Healz AI, launched in beta last year, specifically targets oncology.

A clinical case: a second opinion at MD Anderson leads to diagnosis

In the fall of 2025, the wife of Atlanta psychiatrist Munjal Shroff presents with rashes, itching, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Despite multiple consultations and tests, the diagnosis is delayed. Seeking a health-specific tool, he signs up for Healz AI. Doctors initially suggest an autoimmune disease like lupus while keeping the possibility of cancer in mind; the assistant shares this caution and does not immediately conclude a cancer diagnosis. However, it recommends a second opinion at the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas and directs him to a specific specialist. This second opinion leads to the diagnosis of a rare T-cell lymphoma.

Prolonged use, investment decision, and funding ambitions

After the diagnosis, Munjal Shroff continues to use the tool to compare chemotherapy options; he reports that one option suggested by the AI, discussed with the doctor, was validated by the latter. He believes the practitioner might have recommended the same path, while feeling better prepared and reassured. Convinced by the experience, he becomes an investor after months of intensive use, while the startup plans to raise additional funds in the coming months. Founded and led by Igor Demishev and Alex Plat, Healz AI states it has targeted cancer for its impact and complexity, with personal motivations related to Demishev's family as well. Alex Plat mentions the very difficult journeys of patients and an increased need for specialized tools. The company is supported by Alexey Dosovitskiy, co-founder of Recursive Superintelligence, who asserts that health is a field where AI can improve and save lives, and that technology must now be translated into useful products.

Perceived benefits but limitations acknowledged by the user

Munjal Shroff believes that local doctors would likely have eventually recommended a second opinion, but he credits Healz AI with accelerating this step and reducing uncertainties. He describes the referral to MD Anderson as a crucial pivot. However, he highlights limitations, noting that the AI has sometimes proven inaccurate on treatment and follow-up details, which, according to him, underscores the need to use it alongside doctors. His wife is still undergoing treatment, and he continues to use the tool. He finds the AI even more valuable for non-doctor patients and relatives, stating that it is easy to get lost as a patient and describing the assistant as "indispensable." He also believes that without the app, the diagnosis and treatment would have been delayed.