YEARS vs. Biograph: A Longevity Clinic Comparison (2026)

Anyone investing in comprehensive longevity diagnostics will quickly encounter two names: YEARS in Berlin and Biograph in the US. Both clinics assess health on a level far beyond standard check-ups. Yet their philosophies, methods, and cost models could hardly be more different.

The core question: Should you choose a European, research-integrated clinic with a transparent pricing model, or an American membership model with close ties to well-known longevity experts?

This article places the data, technologies, and costs side-by-side. No superlatives.

Executive Summary: Which Clinic is Right for You?

• YEARS (Berlin) is suitable for those seeking a physician-led clinic in Europe that combines cutting-edge diagnostics with an integrated research model (Clinic-as-a-Study) and biobanking. The entire diagnostic process, from blood draws to a whole-body MRI, is completed in a single day. For those with German private health insurance, costs can be submitted for reimbursement according to the GOÄ (German medical fee schedule).
• Biograph (USA) is a better fit for those living in North America who prefer a continuous membership model with ongoing monitoring and align with the philosophy of Dr. Peter Attia. The focus is on a concierge service with regular check-ins throughout the year.

1. Overview: What Are YEARS and Biograph?

Both clinics operate at the forefront of preventive medicine, but their origins and core models are fundamentally different.

1.1 YEARS – Longevity Clinic in Berlin, Germany

YEARS is a physician-led preventive medicine clinic pursuing an unconventional model: the "Clinic-as-a-Study." Every client receives one of Europe's most comprehensive diagnostic workups and is invited to become part of a clinical registry. This creates a long-term, data-driven partnership and actively contributes to longevity research.

The approach integrates clinical, laboratory, and functional diagnostic data. Depending on the program, additional layers are added: epigenomics starting with Evolve®, and genomics and microbiomics in the Ultimate® program. All examinations are condensed into a single day, typically lasting six to nine hours.

1.2 Biograph – Premium Longevity Clinic in New York & San Francisco

Founded with locations in New York and San Francisco, Biograph is closely associated with the work of Dr. Peter Attia, whose book "Outlive" popularized the principles behind its approach. The model is based on an annual membership. After an initial in-depth assessment, a concierge team guides the client through the year, supplemented by digital check-ins and interim lab tests.

Biograph advertises the collection of over 1,000 data points from more than 30 individual tests.

2. Diagnostic Comparison: What Gets Measured?

The number of biomarkers or "data points" is only part of the picture. The crucial factors are which technologies are used and how the data is integrated.

2.1 YEARS Diagnostic Depth (Core®, Evolve®, Ultimate®)

YEARS offers three programs with clearly escalating depth:

• YEARS Core® (€1,900): Defines the medical baseline with over 87 biomarkers and more than 25 examinations. Includes ultrasound of the heart, abdomen, and thyroid; body plethysmography for lung function; VO₂max; and neurocognitive tests.
• YEARS Evolve® (€7,600): Expands to over 120 biomarkers. Adds a whole-body MRI, a liquid biopsy (TruCheck) for early cancer screening, 7 epigenetic clocks to estimate biological age, and a biobank with 70 cryopreserved samples.
• YEARS Ultimate® (€16,900): The most comprehensive program with over 230 biomarkers. Complements the diagnostics with Whole-Exome and Whole-Genome Sequencing and a gut microbiome analysis (microbiomics).

2.2 Biograph Diagnostic Depth (Core / Black)

Biograph structures its offering in two tiers:

• Biograph Core ($7,500): The base program collects over 1,000 data points from more than 30 individual tests. This includes extensive blood analysis, cardiological tests, neurocognitive assessments, and body composition analysis.
• Biograph Black ($15,000): The advanced tier adds specialized cardiovascular imaging, specifically a Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) and a Cleerly scan to analyze arterial plaque.

2.3 Direct Comparison Table

3. Imaging Technology: MRI and Beyond

Structural changes in the body—whether tumors, vascular plaques, or organ alterations—can often be detected with imaging years before they cause symptoms. The quality and scope of imaging therefore distinguish good from excellent prevention programs.

3.1 YEARS: Whole-Body MRI and Advanced Ultrasound

YEARS combines two imaging layers. The Core® program already includes an advanced ultrasound of the heart, abdominal organs, thyroid, and blood vessels—a radiation-free baseline diagnostic with high clinical value. Starting with the Evolve® program, a whole-body MRI is added, which is based on a proprietary screening sequence and systematically images the body from head to pelvis.

3.2 Biograph: Whole-Body MRI & Coronary CT Angiography

Biograph integrates a whole-body MRI as a standard component in both of its programs. In the Black tier, a Coronary CT Angiography (CCTA) complements the imaging. This test directly visualizes calcified and soft plaques in the coronary arteries, providing information about an individual's risk for coronary artery disease (CAD).

3.3 MRI vs. CT in a Screening Context

MRI operates without ionizing radiation and is well-suited for visualizing soft tissues, organs, and the brain. A meta-analysis by Li et al. (Frontiers in Oncology, 2021) showed a high sensitivity of whole-body MRIs in detecting malignancies. For systemic screening over many years, the absence of radiation exposure is a clear advantage.

CT provides sharper images of calcified structures, such as arterial plaques. However, the radiation exposure must be considered with repeated screenings. For the specific question of coronary artery disease, a CCTA remains a precise tool that surpasses MRI in this particular context.

The combination of whole-body MRI and targeted cardiac ultrasound, as offered by YEARS, provides broad coverage without radiation. The CCTA in Biograph's Black program is a sensible addition for high-risk cardiovascular patients, but it involves radiation exposure that becomes relevant with annual repetition.

4. Early Cancer Detection & Liquid Biopsy

A liquid biopsy analyzes circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood. This can sometimes allow for the detection of cancer signals before imaging shows anything.

4.1 YEARS: TruCheck Multi-Cancer Screening

Starting with the YEARS Evolve® program, a liquid biopsy using the TruCheck® test is included. The test is designed for over 70 different solid tumors and, in many cases, can also identify the organ of origin, which facilitates the clinical interpretation of a positive result.

4.2 Biograph: Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing

Biograph also offers a Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) test in its Black program. The approach is comparable: searching for cancer signals in the blood from a single sample.

4.3 Scientific Context

MCED tests are screening tools, not diagnostic tests. An abnormal finding triggers further investigations, typically imaging, which then confirm or rule out a suspicion. These tests do not replace established screenings like colonoscopies or mammograms. Their added value lies in covering cancers for which no standard screening exists, including pancreatic and ovarian cancer.

5. Biological Clocks & Epigenetic Analysis

Chronological age says little about how quickly a body is aging. Epigenetic markers, specifically DNA methylation patterns, reflect the state of our cells and have been shown in studies to correlate more strongly with disease risk than birth year.

5.1 YEARS: 7 Epigenetic Clocks

From the Evolve® program onwards, YEARS integrates seven different epigenetic clocks in a single measurement. Each clock, including Horvath's Clock and DunedinPACE, assesses different aspects of the aging process: organ function, inflammation speed, and the rate of biological age change over time. The combination provides a more nuanced picture than a single clock could, similar to evaluating heart rate, blood pressure, and heart rate variability together rather than individually.

5.2 Biograph and External Partners

Biograph sources its epigenetic analyses from specialized external labs. The specific clocks measured are not specified in their standard offering.

5.3 What a Single Measurement Can Achieve

A snapshot of biological age is a starting point. The measurement becomes more meaningful when the same markers are re-assessed after twelve or eighteen months, for example, following interventions in sleep, nutrition, or a structured exercise plan. This shows whether the changes are actually having an effect at the cellular level.

6. Genetics & Genomics

The genome provides information about inherited disease risks and how the body metabolizes certain medications.

6.1 YEARS: Whole-Exome + Whole-Genome (Ultimate® Only)

The YEARS Ultimate® program combines two sequencing methods:

• Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES): Analyzes all protein-coding genes, about 1-2% of the genome, at high depth.
• Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS): Sequences the entire genome, including regulatory regions.

This combination screens for over 170 risk genes for cancer, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases, and provides pharmacogenetic data for over 150 medications. The latter is clinically relevant: for about 30-40% of the population, drug levels deviate from standard expectations because variants in genes like CYP2D6 or CYP2C19 alter their metabolism.

6.2 Biograph: Germline Genetic Testing

Biograph offers genetic tests focusing on cancer risk genes and heritable diseases. Whether this involves a panel test, WES, or WGS is not explicitly stated in their standard offering.

7. Cost & Financing

For clients from Germany, the cost model is one of the most practical differences between the two providers.

7.1 YEARS Pricing Model (€) and Insurance Reimbursement

YEARS operates with transparent one-time payments:

• Core®: €1,900
• Evolve®: €7,600
• Ultimate®: €16,900

YEARS bills according to the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ). Privately insured individuals receive a detailed invoice that can be submitted to their private health insurance (PKV). Since the diagnostics regularly identify medically relevant findings, partial reimbursement by the PKV is common in practice.

7.2 Biograph Pricing Model ($)

Biograph uses an annual membership model:

• Core: $7,500 (approx. €7,000)
• Black: $15,000 (approx. €14,000)

These costs are incurred annually and include the initial examination as well as ongoing support. Reimbursement by German health insurance is not an option.

7.3 Cost-Benefit Perspective

A direct comparison of entry-level prices shows Biograph Core ($7,500) and YEARS Evolve® (€7,600) are closely matched. The difference becomes clear when two factors are considered: at Biograph, these costs are annual. At YEARS, privately insured individuals in Germany may be able to reclaim a portion of the costs. For a German private insurance holder, this represents a significant financial difference over several years.

8. Program & Service Model: Research vs. Concierge

8.1 YEARS: Clinic-as-a-Study & Biobanking

The service model at YEARS is distinct from typical clinical practice. Clients become part of a clinical registry, and their pseudonymized data contributes to ongoing research on aging processes.

Biobanking takes this a step further. From the Evolve® program onwards, 70 samples—including blood, urine, and stool—are cryopreserved and stored. If a new biomarker for Alzheimer's or a more precise test for mitochondrial dysfunction is developed in five years, these samples can be retrospectively analyzed without the client needing to travel again. This is a structural advantage that no concierge model can replicate.

8.2 Biograph: Membership & Concierge

Biograph's model is built on an ongoing relationship. After the initial assessment, a team of physicians and a health coach are available. Regular virtual check-ins, interim measurements, and lab checks throughout the year are intended to ensure that findings don't just end up in a drawer but lead to concrete behavioral changes.

9. Who Should Choose Which Clinic?

9.1 YEARS is the right choice if...

• You live in Europe: Berlin is accessible via direct flights from all major European cities in one to three hours.
• You have private health insurance in Germany: The GOÄ billing and the realistic prospect of reimbursement make YEARS the financially logical option.
• You prefer a single, structured day of diagnostics: For those who don't have time for multiple visits or weeks of scattered appointments, YEARS provides everything in six to nine hours.
• You are interested in a research-integrated approach: You not only receive data but also contribute to a long-term scientific project.
• Future-proof samples are important to you: The biobank secures your access to analyses that don't even exist today.

9.2 Biograph is the right choice if...

• You live in or near New York or San Francisco: Logistics are a key factor.
• You prefer a continuous support model: The ongoing check-ins and dedicated team are a crucial motivating factor for many people to actually implement their findings.
• Insurance reimbursement is not a factor: You are prepared to pay the full annual fee out-of-pocket.
• You align with the work of Dr. Peter Attia and want to specifically implement his protocol-based approach.

10. Conclusion

Both clinics offer preventive medicine at a level that was unavailable outside of academic research centers a decade ago.

Biograph delivers a well-designed concierge model for the US market, with strong continuity and a clear connection to a well-known medical philosophy.

YEARS is tailored to the realities of European clients: everything in one day, GOÄ billing for German private insurance holders, biobanking as a long-term option, and a research model that embeds individual health data into a scientific context. For anyone in Europe seeking serious, data-driven preventive medicine, YEARS offers the more mature overall package.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a robust foundation for health decisions for the decades to come.

Ready to define your medical baseline? Schedule a consultation with YEARS or compare the programs in detail.

• View the YEARS Core® Program
• View the YEARS Evolve® Program

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Sources

• Li, Y., Chen, M., Wang, J., et al. (2021). Diagnostic Accuracy of Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Detection of Malignancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Oncology, 11, 755208. DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.755208

This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute individual medical advice. The information regarding Biograph is based on publicly available sources as of March 2026.