Finnish Australian Venture Agora Launches Personalized AI Doctors
Female-led startup introduces Build Your Own Doc, turning preventive wellness into a data-driven gamified experience
Helsinki, Finland, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Finnish-Australian health technology company Agora, founded by Elizabeth Angel and Dr Olivia Lesslar, has officially launched Build Your Own Doc, a new platform feature that creates personalized AI-driven wellness solutions. The tool can integrate more than one billion biomarkers and over five thousand years of ancient wisdom. Additionally, it draws on two hundred million research papers to create bespoke programs in response to a user's labs and wearables. Agora aims to make proactive wellness more accessible through evidence-based guidance.
Elizabeth Angel, CEO of Agora, leads launch of AI wellness platform Build Your Own Doc.
'Wellness is the next human right,' said Angel, Agora's chief executive. 'Agora is not merely software. It is a cultural movement designed to make thriving normal.'
With global wellness spending projected to rise from 6.3 trillion to more than 9 trillion US dollars by 2028, the company sees growing demand for preventive tools. Research suggests stress may contribute to 90 percent of illness. Agora addresses this challenge by offering proactive insights for leading causes of chronic disease including heart conditions, cancer, stroke, and Alzheimer's.
Agora's leadership reflects a wide range of experience. Angel has worked in humanitarian aid, defense innovation, and applied science. Dr Lesslar, trained in psychoneuroimmunology, brings clinical depth. The idea for the platform was first developed in a Finnish forest, where the team envisioned a technology that blends nature, tradition, and modern science to support healthier habits.
The company emphasizes data privacy and user empowerment. Agora's zero-trust architecture ensures personal health data remains under individual control. Users can opt to license anonymized data for research, receive incentives for meeting wellness milestones, or access insurer discounts. 'Health data is the battleground of trust,' Angel said. 'Agora ensures users remain the primary beneficiaries of their own information.'
Agora logo
The platform's gamified health adventures include sleep tracking, nutrition challenges, and reflective activities. Pilot users reported a 42 percent increase in healthy behavior adherence compared to traditional apps. Other features include community groups and fun support groups focused on healthspan vs lifespan and emotional well-being. Unlike single-focus platforms, Agora combines biometric feedback from both the body and brain, lab results, the user's own assessments and contextual inputs to generate cohesive recommendations through an interactive experience. The goal is to unify fragmented wellness tools into a single, user-friendly system.
Since March 2023, Agora has launched across six continents, working with veterans, nonprofits, and educational groups. The platform's free Library tier includes neuroscience-informed music by Ravyn Lyte, an AI-generated artist designed to support calm and focus. Agora's enterprise pilots are scheduled to begin in Q3 with several Fortune 500 companies, targeting workplace burnout and stress. Additional testing with military teams includes gamified adventures for consolidating resilience. Research is also underway to evaluate its benefits for frontline workers and trauma response.
Stress-related productivity losses cost the global economy nearly one trillion US dollars each year. Companies face an additional 18 percent payroll impact due to employee disengagement. Agora's approach offers a scalable method to improve well-being and quality of life.
Analysts highlight the platform's low acquisition cost and strong alignment with demand for alternative wellness solutions. Angel emphasized mission over market value. 'The goal is to help billions thrive. Subscription revenue from enterprises helps us offer access to the people who need it most.'
Agora continues to expand its partnerships across public and private sectors. If adoption accelerates, Finland may soon be known not only as the world's happiest nation but also as a leader in preventive health innovation.
About AgoraAgora is a global innovation company that accelerates groundbreaking solutions by cross-pollinating emerging technologies across traditionally siloed industries, from health to defense to music and everything in between. Fueling a worldwide movement that spans six continents, Agora creatively bridges the gap between innovation and the critical resources needed, such as funding and distribution channels, all with the aim of uplifting humanity.
Explore AgoraRegistration is now open at golly.orgCONTACT: Amy Wellington Agora press@agorainnovation.comSign in to access your portfolio

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
SuperAI Singapore 2025 Sells Out: Asia's Largest AI Event Brings Together 7,000 Global Innovators
1,000+ AI companies from 100+ countries converge at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore East meets West on stage – with voices like Balaji Srinivasan, Dwarkesh Patel, and Edward Snowden alongside China's Unitree Robotics, Zhipu AI, and Manus AI Full AI development lifecycle on display – from builders in the 36-hour NEXT Hackathon to frontier startups in the Genesis Competition, immersive workshops, and dedicated Community Hubs SINGAPORE, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SuperAI Singapore 2025 has officially sold out, with 7,000 attendees confirmed to gather at Marina Bay Sands tomorrow for Asia's largest and most influential AI conference. The event will convene AI leaders, frontier technologists, investors, and researchers from across 100+ countries – representing more than 1,000 of the world's most forward-thinking AI companies. This year's edition signals a major inflection point in the AI industry, with SuperAI becoming the global stage where East meets West, frontier meets enterprise, and ideas become products. Visionaries across robotics, healthcare, and finance will explore AI's industrial and societal impact – with speakers Balaji Srinivasan, Dwarkesh Patel, Tao Cheung (Manus AI), Edward Snowden, Felix Shang (Unitree Robotics), Nicolaus Radford (Persona AI), and Pippa Malmgren among the roster of over 100 to take the stage. The 36-hour NEXT Hackathon, and the Genesis Startup Competition will take place at the heart of SuperAI on 18-19 June, with over US$250,000 in builder capital available for the next generation of AI and Machine Learning engineers and entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, immersive workshops, AI labs, and community hubs will showcase the full lifecycle of AI development – from code to capital to community. "SuperAI is no longer just a conference – it's where the next wave of AI gets defined," said Peter Noszek, Co-Founder of SuperAI. "What's most exciting is the calibre of people in the room: engineers, founders, policy makers, investors – all here to shape what comes next." 150 Exhibitors Power a Sold-Out Exhibition Floor The expo floor is fully booked, featuring over 150 exhibitors across AI infrastructure, robotics, cloud, and deeptech innovation. Highlights include robotics pioneers Unitree Robotics and Quikbot, infrastructure innovators Google Cloud, FuriosaAI, Groq, and AMQ Semiconductor, and startups pioneering the future of agentic AI like Manus AI. Attendees will journey into an AI-enabled future, with live robotic art displays, AI-generated visual immersions, and the AI Creator Lab presented by AMD – which will teach creators how to turn raw ideas into finished videos, music, and graphics in minutes by putting AI to work. AI's cultural and societal impact will be unveiled at SuperAI's community hubs – with activations from Tatler and Mixmag exploring AI's impact on culture, art, and music, while the participation of IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority), DISG (Digital Industry Singapore), and Startup Island Taiwan, spotlighting both Singaporean and regional government perspectives. SuperAI Diamond Sponsors include agentic AI launchpad Auki Labs – building a collaborative sense of space for robotics, XR and smart cities; WEKA – the foundation for enterprise AI; – scalable compute for the AI economy; Bright Data – limitless web data infrastructure; and Amazon Web Services (AWS). SuperAI Returns for Its Biggest Edition Yet: 10-11 June 2026 SuperAI today confirmed its return to Singapore on 10-11 June 2026, once again at Marina Bay Sands. Following overwhelming demand and a sold-out 2025 edition, next year's event will feature expanded exhibition space, new content tracks, and deeper integration of AI technologies to produce its most immersive edition yet. SuperAI will continue to serve as the global nexus for AI's builders, thinkers, and decision-makers – shaping not just the future of the industry, but the future of frontier technologies. Join the early access waitlist for SuperAI Singapore, 10-11 June 2026: About SuperAI SuperAI is Asia's largest AI event. Showcasing the transformative power of artificial intelligence, SuperAI brings together frontier technology visionaries, developers, startups, enterprises, researchers, and policymakers to shape the future. Taking place 18-19 June 2025 at the iconic Marina Bay Sands, SuperAI Singapore will convene over 7,000 attendees from more than 100 countries to explore and unveil developments in robotics, healthcare, finance – and AI's impact across industries and society. Website: Note to Editors: Interview opportunities with the SuperAI team, Genesis finalists and speakers can be arranged through the media centre. View original content: SOURCE SuperAI Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Avidity Biosciences Announces Positive Topline Phase 1/2 FORTITUDE™ Data Demonstrating Consistent Improvement Across Multiple Functional Measures Compared to Placebo in Del-Brax Treated FSHD Participants
-- Unprecedented data from FORTITUDE™ dose escalation cohorts for del-brax treated participants, compared to placebo, demonstrate improvement in function, strength and PROs as well as rapid and significant reduction in biomarkers -- -- Data support planned accelerated approval BLA submission in H2 2026 -- -- Data being presented at the 32nd Annual FSHD Society International Research Congress (IRC); Investor and analyst webcast event today, Monday, June 9 at 8:00 a.m. ET -- SAN DIEGO, June 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Avidity Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNA), a biopharmaceutical company committed to delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics called Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™) to profoundly improve people's lives, today announced positive topline data from the dose escalation cohorts of the delpacibart braxlosiran (del-brax) Phase 1/2 FORTITUDE™ program in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). These data as well as research supporting KHDC1L as a novel DUX4 regulated circulating biomarker will be presented in oral and poster presentations at the 32nd Annual FSHD Society International Research Congress (IRC), being held June 12-13, 2025, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Del-brax is the first investigational therapy designed to treat the underlying cause of FSHD by directly targeting the disease-causing gene, double homeobox 4 (DUX4). Currently, there are no approved therapies for the treatment of FSHD, a rare, hereditary disorder marked by life-long, relentless loss of muscle strength and function, significant pain, fatigue, and progressive disability. FSHD affects approximately 45,000 to 87,000 people in the United States and Europe. "The positive topline del-brax results from FORTITUDE being presented at FSHD IRC this week are remarkable and consistent across multiple functional measures as well as biomarkers," said Sarah Boyce, president and chief executive officer at Avidity. "Based on these unprecedented data, we are rapidly advancing del-brax as we pursue accelerated approval and prepare to submit a BLA in the second half of 2026. We are incredibly grateful for the continued trust and support from study participants, their caregivers, investigators and their staff, which are paramount to the success of this program." Avidity today also announced that the accelerated approval regulatory pathway in the U.S. is open for del-brax and that the company has initiated the global, confirmatory Phase 3 FORWARD™ study in FSHD. "Del-brax data from the FORTITUDE study continue to demonstrate consistent reductions in a novel circulating biomarker across two cohorts at 12 months. I am particularly encouraged that del-brax shows favorable safety and tolerability with early and consistent trends towards benefit with del-brax compared to placebo across multiple functional and participant-reported outcome measures," said Jeffrey M. Statland, M.D., Professor of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, and FORTITUDE trial investigator. "These data indicate that by directly targeting DUX4, del-brax may be able to improve the lives of patients with FSHD and potentially meaningfully control their disease. I look forward to continued evaluation of del-brax in the FORWARD Phase 3 study and remain hopeful that it is on track to become the potentially first approved drug for FSHD." Topline Data from the Phase 1/2 FORTITUDE™ Dose Escalation Cohorts The FORTITUDE™ clinical development program includes a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, Phase 1/2 clinical trial designed to evaluate multiple doses of del-brax in participants with FSHD as well as an open-label extension study. The two dose escalation cohorts evaluated 39 participants on either 2 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg of del-brax versus placebo over a period of 12 months. In these cohorts, del-brax was given every six weeks for the first three months and then every 13 weeks thereafter. Topline data from these cohorts for del-brax treated participants, compared to placebo, demonstrated: Consistent improvement of functional mobility and muscle strength as measured by 10-Meter Walk-Run test (10MWRT), Timed Up and Go (TUG) and quantitative muscle testing (QMT) as compared to placebo; Consistent improvement in multiple measures of quality of life as measured by patient reported outcomes and compared to placebo; Rapid and significant reductions in levels of KHDC1L and creatine kinase, a biomarker of muscle damage; and Favorable long-term safety and tolerability with most adverse events (AEs) mild or moderate, with no related serious or severe adverse events and no discontinuations. Topline data from the ongoing, fully enrolled del-brax Phase 1/2 FORTITUDE biomarker cohort are anticipated in Q2 2026. The primary endpoint of the FORTITUDE biomarker cohort is reduction of KHDC1L, a novel DUX4-regulated circulating biomarker. Avidity collaborated with Stephen Tapscott, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Human Biology and Clinical Research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center around the identification of the KHDC1L circulating biomarker in people living with FSHD. Video Webcast InformationThe Company is hosting an investor and analyst event today, June 9, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Avidity management will be joined by Jeffrey M. Statland, M.D., Professor of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, and FORTITUDE™ trial investigator, to discuss these updates relating to del-brax in FSHD. The virtual event will be available via a live video webcast and can be accessed here or from the "Events and Presentations" page in the "Investors" section of Avidity's website. A replay of the webcast will be archived on Avidity's website following the event. About the Phase 1/2 FORTITUDE™ and Phase 2 FORTITUDE-OLE™ trialsThe FORTITUDE™ trial is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, Phase 1/2 clinical trial designed to evaluate single and multiple doses of delpacibart braxlosiran or del-brax in 90 participants with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). FORTITUDE is evaluating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of del-brax administered intravenously. Activity of del-brax is being assessed using key biomarkers, including DUX4-regulated muscle and circulating biomarkers and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of muscle volume and composition. Though the Phase 1/2 trial is not statistically powered to assess functional benefit, it explores the clinical activity of del-brax including measures of functional mobility and muscle strength as well as patient reported outcomes and quality of life measures. The trial has a total of three dose cohorts. The first two dose escalation cohorts evaluated 2 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg of del-brax versus placebo and were designed to assess safety as well as inform the dose and dose regimen of del-brax for additional studies. Avidity has completed enrollment in the dose escalation cohorts and identified 2 mg/kg every six weeks of del-brax as the dose for future clinical trials. The third, ongoing biomarker cohort in the FORTITUDE trial assesses the impact of del-brax 2 mg/kg every six weeks versus placebo for 12 months in people living with FSHD, ages 16-70. The primary endpoint of the biomarker cohort is reduction of KHDC1L, a novel DUX4-regulated circulating biomarker. Enrollment in the biomarker cohort is complete and blinded treatment is ongoing. Participants who complete FORTITUDE have the option to enroll in the ongoing FORTITUDE open-label extension (FORTITUDE-OLE™) study evaluating the long-term safety and tolerability of del-brax in participants living with FSHD. For more information about the FORTITUDE trial, visit the FORTITUDE study website or visit and search for NCT05747924. For more information on the FORTITUDE-OLE study click here or visit and search for NCT06547216. About Del-brax Del-brax is designed to treat the underlying cause of FSHD, which is caused by the abnormal expression of a gene called double homeobox 4 or DUX4. The abnormal expression of DUX4 protein leads to changes in gene expression in muscle cells that are associated with the life-long, progressive loss of muscle function in patients with FSHD. Del-brax aims to reduce the expression of DUX4 mRNA and DUX4 protein in muscles in people with FSHD. Del-brax consists of a proprietary monoclonal antibody that binds to the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) conjugated with a siRNA targeting DUX4 mRNA. Del-brax is currently in registrational-stage studies including FORTITUDE biomarker cohort and the global, confirmatory, Phase 3 FORWARD trial in individuals with FSHD. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have granted Orphan designation for del-brax and the FDA has granted del-brax Fast Track designation. About Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD)Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a rare, progressive, and variable hereditary muscle-weakening condition marked by life-long, relentless loss of muscle function, significant pain, fatigue, and progressive disability. It is characterized by progressive and often asymmetric skeletal muscle loss that initially causes weakness in muscles in the face, shoulders, arms and trunk and progresses to weakness in muscles in the lower body. FSHD is an autosomal dominant disease caused by the aberrant expression of the DUX4 (double homeobox 4) gene in the skeletal muscle, which activates genes that are toxic to muscle cells and leads to a series of downstream events that result in skeletal muscle wasting and compromised muscle function. Skeletal muscle weakness results in physical limitations throughout the whole body, including an inability to lift arms for more than a few seconds, loss of ability to show facial expressions and serious speech impediments. These symptoms cause many people affected by FSHD to become dependent on the use of a wheelchair for mobility. Currently, there are no approved treatments for people living with FSHD. About AvidityAvidity Biosciences, Inc.'s mission is to profoundly improve people's lives by delivering a new class of RNA therapeutics - Antibody Oligonucleotide Conjugates (AOCs™). Avidity is revolutionizing the field of RNA with its proprietary AOCs, which are designed to combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the precision of oligonucleotide therapies to address targets and diseases previously unreachable with existing RNA therapies. Utilizing its proprietary AOC platform, Avidity demonstrated the first-ever successful targeted delivery of RNA into muscle and is leading the field with clinical development programs for three rare neuromuscular diseases: myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Avidity is also advancing two wholly-owned precision cardiology development candidates addressing rare genetic cardiomyopathies. In addition, Avidity is broadening the reach of AOCs with its advancing and expanding pipeline including programs in cardiology and immunology through key partnerships. Avidity is headquartered in San Diego, CA. For more information about our AOC platform, clinical development pipeline and people, please visit and engage with us on LinkedIn and X. Forward-Looking StatementsAvidity cautions readers that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company's current beliefs and expectations. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: Avidity's plans to file a BLA for accelerated approval of del-brax and the timing thereof; the potential for del-brax to achieve accelerated and full approval from the FDA and the timing thereof; the status of accelerated approval as a regulatory pathway for del-brax; biomarker selection and data from the study of del-brax; topline data from the biomarker cohort of the FORTITUDE™ trial and the timing thereof; Avidity's plans to pursue full, global approval for del-brax; the potential for del-brax to improve the lives of people with FSHD; the status of the FORTITUDE trial and the cohorts therein, and the FORWARD™ trial, including without limitation progress, initiation, enrollment, design, goals and dosage levels and frequencies. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Avidity that any of these plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in Avidity's business and beyond its control, including, without limitation: the data and results produced from the FORTITUDE trial as of the most recent cutoff dates may not be indicative of final results, may not support BLA submission or accelerated approval, may not be satisfactory to the FDA and other regulators, and new analyses of existing data and results may produce different conclusions than established as of the date hereof; data delivered to the FDA may not support accelerated approval pathways or BLA submissions and may not be satisfactory to the FDA, including as a result of our inability to establish that a novel biomarker may serve as a surrogate endpoint reasonably likely to predict a clinical benefit; even if approved, Avidity may not be able to execute any successful product launches; unexpected adverse side effects to, or inadequate efficacy of, del-brax that may delay or limit its development, regulatory approval and/or commercialization; later developments with the FDA and other global regulators that could be inconsistent with the feedback received to date; Avidity's approach to the discovery and development of product candidates based on its AOC™ platform is unproven and may not produce any products of commercial value; potential delays in the commencement, enrollment, data readouts and completion of clinical trials; Avidity's dependence on third parties in connection with clinical testing and product manufacturing; legislative, judicial and regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries; Avidity could exhaust its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects; and other risks described in Avidity's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent filings with the SEC. Avidity cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investor Contact:Kat Lange(619) 837-5014investors@ Media Contact:Kristina Coppola(619) 837-5016media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Avidity Biosciences, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
OpenAI wins $200 mn contract with US military
The US Department of Defense on Monday awarded OpenAI a $200 million contract to put generative artificial intelligence (AI) to work for the military. San Francisco-based OpenAI will "develop prototype frontier AI capabilities to address critical national security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains," according to the department's posting of awarded contracts. The program with the defense department is the first partnership under the startup's initiative to put AI to work in governments, according to OpenAI. OpenAI plans to show how cutting-edge AI can vastly improve administrative operations such as how service members get health care and also cyber defenses, the startup said in a post. All use of AI for the military will be consistent with OpenAI usage guidelines, according to the startup. Big tech companies are increasingly pitching their tools to the US military, among them Meta, OpenAI and, more predictably, Palantir, the AI defense company founded by Peter Thiel, the conservative tech billionaire who has played a major role in Silicon Valley's rightward shift. OpenAI and defense tech startup Anduril Industries late last year announced a partnership to develop and deploy AI solutions "for security missions." The alliance brings together OpenAI models and Anduril's military tech platform to ramp up defenses against aerial drones and other "unmanned aircraft systems", according to the companies. "OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible, and supports US-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values," OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said at the time. gc/md