uBiome and Arivale show the paradox of test-based health services

July 03, 2019 | Case Study

In the field of test-based health services, both uBiome and Arivale were funding front-runners, gaining $110 million and $53 million, respectively, to date. uBiome specializes in microbiome-based testing, while Arivale provided a panel of biomarker, genetic, and gut microbiome analysis. Both have made headlines recently, and not for the right reasons. In late April 2019, Arivale announced it had suspended its direct-to-consumer (D2C) business, citing the high costs of its service. Not long after, in May 2019, uBiome suspended clinical operations after potentially fraudulent business practices that prompted a raid by the U.S. FBI.