Ro (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telehealth, Healthcare, Pharmacy |
| Founded | October 2017 |
| Founder | Zachariah Reitano, Saman Rahmanian, Rob Schutz |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Continental United States |
Key people | Zachariah Reitano (CEO) |
| Products | Telehealth services, prescription issuance, treatment delivery, continuous care management, laboratory services, pharmacy services |
| Website | ro |
Roman Health Ventures Inc., operating under the brand name Ro, is a U.S.-based telehealth provider specializing in patient diagnosis, prescription issuance, treatment delivery, and continuous care management. Headquartered in New York City, Ro delivers telehealth, laboratory, and pharmacy services across the continental United States. The company has reached patients in every county nationwide and serves 98% of areas identified as primary care deserts.
History
Founded in October 2017 as Roman by CEO Zachariah Reitano, Chief Product Officer Saman Rahmanian, and Chief Growth Officer Rob Schutz, the company was inspired by Reitano’s personal healthcare journey and his ambition to revolutionize healthcare through technology. The initial seed round raised $3.1 million, led by General Catalyst, enabling the launch of a telemedicine platform paired with an in-house pharmacy for medication fulfillment. In September 2018, the company rebranded to Ro and broadened its treatment portfolio to address conditions such as hair loss, cold sores, and premature ejaculation.
In 2018, Ro completed an $88 million Series A financing round spearheaded by FirstMark Capital, with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian joining the board of directors. By 2019, the company had expanded its service offerings to include women’s health solutions. Early in 2020, Ro partnered with Pfizer to procure Sildenafil for erectile dysfunction therapies. In July 2020, it secured $200 million through a Series C funding round.
March 2021 marked a significant milestone with a $500 million Series D investment led by General Catalyst, FirstMark Capital, and TQ Ventures, elevating Ro’s valuation to $5 billion. That same year, Margo Georgiadis, formerly CEO of Ancestry.com, was appointed to Ro’s board. The company further diversified its offerings by acquiring Modern Fertility and Kit during 2021.
In 2024, Ro introduced two compounded erectile dysfunction treatments: Daily Rise gummies and Sparks. The following year, a major advertising campaign featuring Serena Williams promoting Ro’s weight-loss injection program generated notable public debate.
COVID-19 response
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Ro launched complimentary telehealth assessments for the virus and collaborated with Uber to provide free COVID-19 screenings for Uber drivers. Tony West, Uber’s Chief Legal Officer, joined Ro’s board in September 2020. By March 2021, Ro partnered with the New York State Department of Health to implement an at-home COVID-19 vaccination initiative targeting senior citizens. Amid testing shortages during the Omicron variant surge in January 2022, Ro supplied COVID-19 tests to meet increased demand.
Obesity treatment
Ro entered the obesity treatment sector by offering Gelesis100 products. In January 2023, it expanded its portfolio by incorporating GLP-1 receptor agonists within its Body Program. This program’s advertising on the New York City Subway encountered criticism for being overly provocative. Following FDA approval in 2023, Ro began prescribing Zepbound (Tirzepatide) to qualified patients through this initiative.
To address persistent GLP-1 medication shortages in May 2024, Ro launched a GLP-1 Supply Tracker designed to crowdsource data on drug availability nationwide. Later that year, the company introduced a complimentary tool to assist users in understanding their insurance coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists.
In December 2024, Ro announced a collaboration with pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly to provide Zepbound vials via its platform through integration with LillyDirect.
Platform
Ro patients undergo a comprehensive online consultation that captures details about their health status, lifestyle habits, medical background, and current symptoms. A licensed physician evaluates the submitted information and, if deemed suitable, issues a prescription which is then delivered directly to the patient’s residence. Ro’s system is fully integrated with laboratories and pharmacies located within the United States.
Research
In October 2022, Ro collaborated with the National Institute on Aging to establish a patient registry aimed at advancing Alzheimer's disease research and facilitating clinical trials. Additionally, the company has contributed to telehealth literature, including studies demonstrating similar rates of side effects between asynchronous and synchronous virtual healthcare services.
Acquisitions
In December 2020, Ro expanded its capabilities by acquiring WorkPath, a service that coordinates in-home blood sample collection through phlebotomists.
On May 19, 2021, Ro completed the acquisition of Modern Fertility, a company specializing in women's reproductive health, in a transaction valued at more than $225 million.
On June 30, 2021, Ro acquired Kit, a startup offering home-based diagnostic testing solutions such as finger-prick blood tests and devices for measuring weight.
Sponsorships
Ro has acted as the presenting sponsor for the College Basketball Invitational and holds official sponsorship status with Major League Baseball. The company also sponsored NASCAR Cup Series competitor Ryan Newman’s No. 6 Roush Fenway Racing vehicle during the 2020 Coca-Cola 600 race.