Longevity for the masses? Meet the founders of the new clinic in Singapore making it their mission

What is Eternami’s mission?

Dr Dean Ho (DH): Our bodies evolve as we move through life. Our metabolism, fitness level, cognitive health; everything changes over time and so do our needs, be it nutrition, exercise or how we approach self-care. 

What worked in the past might not cut it anymore, which is why Eternami relies on longitudinal data. With our innovations developed in-house, AI and team of healthspan-focused medical doctors guiding our clients at every stage, we hope to help them live extended fulfilling lives using methods backed by science and dynamically tailored to each individual. 

How does Eternami differentiate itself from other longevity clinics?

DH: It’s important for all of the clinics in this space to grow together because the field is still nascent and we have a collective role in establishing more evidence as a community. 

A key strength of Eternami is the portfolio of accessible pioneering technology, developed by members of our team, which can uniquely optimise healthspan.

Read more: The Singapore startup using AI to transform traditional health screenings

Longevity treatments can be expensive. How do you plan to make your services accessible to a wider range of people, not just the wealthy?

DH: Preventive care is relatively new compared to conventional healthcare (aka sick care). While there is an expensive premium on insurance coverage and hefty hospital bills for sick care, good health is priceless. Our pricing and package approaches can be adapted for anyone who would like to prioritise and recalibrate their healthspan approach. 

There are a lot of biomarkers to test for when peering into one’s health. Some panels examine well beyond 100 biomarkers, which can be costly. When someone wants to take charge of their health, they may need to be eased into the process. So during the first appointment with our doctor, an initial panel of 10 to 20 standard biomarkers may be taken, and from there, we can focus on a smaller subset of markers, and monitor them over time as a function of gradual dietary and fitness changes, which can be further AI-assessed to refine the individual’s regimen. 

Looking at too many markers is an expensive process and may overwhelm the analysis, making it more difficult to determine what to do next. Also, without repeat readings, valuable information is lost, such as how long it takes for marker levels to change.

In what way do you seek to understand the needs of the people you hope to serve? 

DH: In the nearly seven years that I’ve lived in Singapore, I’ve probably spoken to thousands of Grab drivers. I didn’t conduct a formal study, but I speak with at least 90 per cent of the [drivers I meet]. I ask them about their driving schedules, and sleeping and eating habits. 

My daily chats with them—and with friends, colleagues and people I meet randomly—all point to a need for accessible ways to future-proof health; accessible in terms of cost, alignment with time constraints and what people are and aren’t willing to try in the early stages of preventive care. 

In reality, the success of future-proofing health will mean taking the effectiveness of relying on drugs and replacing it with relying heavily on a person’s behaviour. It’s a tall order, so getting to know those we aim to help is essential.

How does Eternami address the needs of different genders, ethnicities or ages? How does its AI address biases?

DH: While AI may help analyse the data being collected, the longevity field poses unique challenges for the technology. 

Firstly, most AI relies on big data. For such a new field, the right data may not be available. After all, how many healthy people seek medical visits for their data to be collected? 

For the emerging data being collected, no matter how many patients are represented by that data, it is largely based on snapshots—single data points of their health at only one point in time. Using this data to train AI is inherently suboptimal. Using this data, which may also come from wealthier demographics, could be a key driver of bias in longevity. 

Eternami aims to address each client as an individual. We have developed algorithms that in some cases, even use only a person’s own data to manage their own care. This plays a key role in mitigating bias and other factors that can skew the analysis.

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There’s also a lot of noise in the longevity space. If you could focus people’s attention on one key point about longevity science, what would it be?

DH: Longevity and healthspan are dynamic matters, so how we address them should be dynamic as well. 

Medicine, whether conventional or preventive, is still largely based on snapshots. It should instead be viewed as a story. Capturing the dynamic change in our biomarkers, motivations, behaviours and incentives [over time] should be central to longevity medicine.

What works for one person might not work for another—this is clear. But what is often missed is that what works for one person will change for that same person with time—sometimes within months, sometimes within minutes. Zoning in on this process for each person and intervening accordingly is key.

What should people be cautious of when educating themselves about longevity science, the promises made, and the treatments and technologies in the space?

DH: Virtually every approach to this space (including ours) will use the keywords:

• Optimised: this is a highly used term that is largely undefined. In most cases, there is no way to prove this. Our approaches to collecting data at the right time will be key towards mathematically proven health optimisation.
• Personalised, tailored or bespoke: it is essential to define what this means. Simply using a questionnaire and snapshots of biomarkers will not substantially move the needle here.
• Supplements: which supplements should be combined? At which dose? When? Especially in this space, the most popular terms are: “Science-backed”, “evidence-based” and “clinically-dosed”. These terms can be very loosely defined and there can be profound differences in effectiveness and safety if not sufficiently addressed.

These are all important terms defining the field, but it’s important to understand how each company defines and practises these approaches. It takes real optimisation, research and development (R&D) that extends beyond literature reviews, and actual, novel data derived from this R&D to actually help those we aim to serve.

Read more: Can AI help prevent 10 million cancer deaths per year? Qritive’s Kaveh Taghipour believes so

How did the four of you meet?

DH: We met through mutual friends. At first, we were drawn to each other’s credentials, but we hit it off right away when we met, sharing laughs and swapping personal and professional stories. We had also crossed paths at AI and medical conferences—one time, two of us were speaking and another was soaking it all in. The fourth came on board because of a previous investment deal, bringing another layer of synergy and trust. 

What attracted each of you to the longevity space?

DH: Each of us had a “wake-up call” moment, whether it was seeing a loved one’s health take a sudden downturn or experiencing a health shock firsthand. These moments turned our respective worlds upside down, changing how we see life, our priorities and what truly matters. The personal jolts we experienced sparked our drive to blend science with everyday living, so we can all enjoy longer, more meaningful lives. 

Suddenly, the goal isn’t just surviving but transforming pain into a blueprint for vibrant, purposeful living.

Why was Singapore chosen as Eternami’s home base?

DH: Singapore—the sixth “Blue Zone”—serves as the perfect launchpad for us to create a blueprint for healthier living. We’ve kicked off our journey with our first clinic here, using our own technology to properly collect and use data to achieve actual personalisation dynamically, but also accessibly. 

Our vision isn’t confined to just one location though. We aim to go global, inspiring communities to adopt sustainable, healthy practices because living well is easier when you’ve got a like-minded and supportive community behind you.

Read more: The dark side of the Blue Zone: Living longer comes with the burden of loneliness

Looking back, were there any indications you would start a longevity venture?

Veronika Linardi (VL): I’ve long been fascinated by the concept of wellness, particularly living mindfully and turbocharging it with the power of science to live well. Genetics may illuminate some aspects of our lives, but we’re still cracking new codes that power our journey. 

As much as I’m a foodie, I also care about the way I look and feel. So I balance things out with exercise and staying active. Gone are the days when working around the clock was my thing. I’ve caught on that running life like a series of sprints doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s about finding and making those lifestyle tweaks to keep me performing at my best at any age. 

DH: I’m my own dataset. What I’ve learned, and more importantly, how I’ve harnessed what I’ve learned into actual intervention drive my contributions to the space. I’ve spent nearly 20 years developing new technology for healthcare, helping those who are ill. I didn’t think that would lead to a new part of my career focused on keeping healthy people healthy or helping them become healthier. I certainly didn’t know I’d become the first subject of my own human trial.

What’s one daily habit you practise that you believe contributes to your own longevity?

DH: I eat primarily between 11 am and 3 pm, which means a daily fast of approximately 20 hours or longer. I don’t recommend this for everyone, but I have unique insights into how this has positively impacted my cardiometabolic health.

VL: Meditation and practising gratitude. There’s a growing mountain of research that backs up the idea that meditation isn’t just a feel-good pastime, it rewires your brain. Studies have shown that regularly practising mindfulness can dial down the “monkey mind”, which is the constant chatter and distraction that keeps us from being present. Neuroimaging research reveals that long-term meditators often have thicker regions in their brain responsible for attention and emotional regulation, helping them stay more focused on the here and now.

Meditation also reduces stress by lowering cortisol levels, which can help protect against the cellular ageing process. This means that keeping stress in check sharpens your sense of purpose and potentially paves the way for a longer, healthier life.

Read more: Top of Her Game: Fengru Lin on making time for movement, bonding over burning off leeches, and optimising exercise for longevity

If you could live to 150 years old, what would you want to accomplish in that extra time?

DH: I’d want to be happy, sharing the journey alongside loved ones if they chose to do the same. I’d share the how-to on every approach that led to this outcome with the world and hope they are accessible to everyone. 

I’d also do 150 pushups in a row to match my age.

VL: I’d devote the extra time to crafting a legacy that transcends mere longevity. It wouldn’t simply be about accumulating years but nurturing a life of deep meaning and connection. I’d focus on ensuring that my loved ones and the broader community benefit from the values and wisdom I’ve gathered, much like a well-executed succession plan where every action today is an investment in tomorrow.

It’s about leaving a legacy that isn’t just confined to personal success but one that offers guidance, inspiration and tangible benefits to the next generation. 

Embracing the Japanese philosophy of ichi-go ichi-e, I’d cherish every encounter as a unique, unrepeatable moment—each meeting a chance to connect, learn and inspire. By merging the scientific insights of genetics and lifestyle with a mindful approach to living, my goal would be to demonstrate that true quality isn’t just measured by a long life, but by a life enriched with inner peace and purpose. 

What’s been the most surprising or interesting lesson about ageing or longevity you’ve gained since venturing into the space?

DH: Perhaps the most pivotal thing I’ve learned is the impact that prioritising health has had on those around me, my children in particular. The act of visibly prioritising health can be a powerful tool for shaping the behaviour of others.

Generally speaking but backed by real-world evidence, parents who prioritise health (sleep, fitness, proper nutrition) have healthier children. Healthier leaders have healthier team members. Healthier doctors have healthier patients.

This is why it is important to make healthspan solutions accessible. Modelling and reinforcing healthy behaviours, when bolstered by the right technology sustainably, can have a profound system-wide impact.

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