Tempus AI is a technology company focused on leveraging artificial intelligence and data-driven insights to revolutionize precision medicine, particularly in diagnostics, genomics, and treatment optimization across healthcare.
What inspired you to start Tempus AI?
I was deeply influenced by my firsthand experience with the healthcare system when my wife was treated for breast cancer about a decade ago. I was struck by how little data was involved in her care, despite the emerging prominence of genomic sequencing at the time. This sequencing produced a wealth of data, particularly in cancer, but it was becoming increasingly complex for physicians to interpret.
It became clear during my wife’s treatment that there was a need to integrate technology to make sense of these complex molecular tests. From the beginning, we envisioned Tempus as a way to leverage AI to contextualize diagnostic results, making them personalized and actionable for each patient. For example, our reports would not recommend a drug a patient had already failed on or suggest a trial they were ineligible for. By using AI to make diagnostics intelligent, we aimed to help physicians make data-driven decisions and route patients to the right treatments more effectively.
Tempus works with providers, life sciences companies, and patients. Tell us more about your collaborations with pharma companies.
Tempus collaborates with 19 of the 20 largest pharmaceutical companies in oncology, as well as about 300 biotechs, offering one of the most comprehensive real-world datasets. This data includes longitudinal patient outcomes, rich molecular insights —genomic data, full transcriptomic data, and more. Companies like AstraZeneca, GSK, and Pfizer use our data extensively, from early-stage research—deciding which compounds to prioritize—to designing clinical trials and determining inclusion criteria.
Our partnership with BioNTech is particularly exciting because they focus on a unique aspect of our data: TCR and BCR insights. Years ago, we began collecting these at scale, along with HLA typing, to predict new antigens and better understand the immune system. While most clients focus on DNA and RNA data, BioNTech has leveraged this specialized dataset for cancer vaccine development and immune system research. This collaboration highlights the depth and versatility of our dataset in advancing precision medicine.
How do you view the future role of AI in life sciences? Will it revolutionize drug development or remain complementary?
AI in healthcare, especially generative AI, is surrounded by significant hype. In the short term, much of this is overblown. The challenges in healthcare—unstructured data and a lack of curated datasets—mean that generative AI cannot simply be applied as it is. However, in the long term, the potential of AI is probably underestimated. It is akin to the 1980s when cable was laid before we could enjoy services like MTV or HBO. Right now, we are laying the foundation: connecting hospitals, structuring data, and building predictive models.
At Tempus, we are working to harmonize data from genomics, lab results, imaging, and more. While we have made significant progress, creating AI that predicts treatment responses or develops drugs autonomously will take time. It is a multi-decade journey, but 50 years from now, I believe AI will achieve things we cannot even imagine today. For now, our focus is on foundational work—structuring and tagging data to enable future breakthroughs.
Tempus has amassed a significant amount of data and technical expertise. Do you see your company dominating the field of AI and molecular data?
While Tempus has amassed more data and expertise than most, with over 1,000 technical staff working on AI and molecular data integration, this is not a winner-takes-all field. There are many ways to assemble and utilize healthcare data, from direct patient contributions to hospital partnerships. Other companies will build innovative products, and we are still in the early stages of this industry’s evolution.
It is similar to the competition among large language models today. Companies like OpenAI, Google, and Amazon are all developing groundbreaking tools, and it is too soon to predict the long-term leaders. In healthcare, the same principle applies. Tempus is nine years into its journey, and while we have come far, I anticipate the next nine years will bring even more transformative developments.
Tempus recently acquired Ambry Genetics. How does this acquisition fit into your broader strategy?
Tempus is focused on making diagnostics intelligent by connecting them to molecular insights. Understanding a patient's unique molecular profile is key to determining effective treatments. Since our inception, we have aimed to generate, collect, and analyze molecular data at scale. While we began with comprehensive genomic profiling for therapy selection in cancer, we have expanded into areas like minimal residual disease detection and hereditary screening, which Ambry has been instrumental in supplying.
Acquiring Ambry strengthens our hereditary screening capabilities across various conditions, including rare diseases and cardiology. In the long term, we envision three major categories of sequencing: assessing risk (potentially at birth or early in life), sequencing for precise treatment during illness, and continuous monitoring for disease progression. By integrating Ambry's expertise, Tempus is positioned to lead in all three areas, advancing toward a future where sequencing could become routine for billions globally.
Where do you see Tempus a year from now?
From a financial perspective, Tempus is set to achieve significant milestones. With the inclusion of Ambry, we will grow to around 4,000 employees and reach approximately $1.23 billion in revenue. More importantly, we will be cash flow and EBITDA positive, marking a decade of growth and sustainability. These metrics reflect not just our size but our stability as a company poised for long-term success.
On the patient side, we will touch nearly a million lives through genomic efforts, generating vast datasets to drive efficiency and innovation in biopharma and academic research. Currently, we are connected to 2,700 hospitals—nearly half of all U.S. hospitals—and aim to reach 80-100% connectivity. This network is critical for deploying AI solutions at scale, ensuring doctors and patients access these predictive insights. As AI continues to deliver transformative solutions, Tempus will leverage its infrastructure to amplify its impact across healthcare.
