The lab wars are getting litigious.
What’s happening: Function Health filed a false advertising and unfair competition lawsuit against rival Superpower.
Fightin’ words. The complaint alleges a “sweeping campaign of deception” centered on Superpower’s claim of offering screenings with “100+ biomarkers.” Function argues that while most are directly from blood tests, the remainder are algorithmically derived — an “embellishment” it says improperly attracts customers.
Case file. As competitors in diagnostic-led preventative health, both companies aim to disrupt traditional healthcare through high-agency, consumer-first platforms.
Scaling quickly, Function raised $298M and acquired full-body MRI platform Ezra while launching a “health superintelligence” layer bridging wellness and medicine. Meanwhile, Superpower expanded its “super-app,” buying at-home testing company Base and hormonal health platform Feminade.
In brief. With both outsourcing diagnostics to Quest, the battle is about business practices, not bloodwork. And unlike hardware patents—with notable suits from Oura, WHOOP, or Hyperice— defending AI-driven software protocols is far murkier, especially as FDA oversight loosens.
Punchline: A difference of interpretation, the suit is unlikely to deter competition as consumers seek DIY care concierges.