OpenAI Acquires Torch for $100 Million

On January 12, 2026, OpenAI announced its acquisition of Torch, a startup developing a platform that consolidates a user’s medical data from doctor visits, lab tests, wearables, and other sources into a unified AI-powered system. Torch’s technology, described by the team as “a medical memory for AI, unifying scattered records into a context engine,” is designed to help AI understand and analyze health information more effectively. The four-person Torch team is joining OpenAI as part of the acqui-hire, with the transaction reportedly valued at $100 million in equity.

Torch was co-founded by Ilya Abyzov, and its team previously worked together at Forward Health, an AI-powered doctors’ office that abruptly shut down in late 2024 after raising over $400 million. OpenAI plans to integrate Torch’s technology and team into its newly announced ChatGPT Health service, enabling users to analyze and manage their health through the chatbot. This acquisition strengthens OpenAI’s capabilities in AI-driven health management, telehealth, and personalized health insights, positioning the company to lead in the emerging consumer healthcare technology market.