by FFE EU News staff

Tech giants Google and Apple have set aside their differences for the sake of the health care industry.

The leaders of the companies are coming together to launch “Calico,” a project that aims to merge technology and health care in a startup venture. Both sides have also agreed to tackle on illnesses and conditions related to end-of-life and aging in the course of the project.

Google CEO Larry Page. Photo source: Brad Wieners

Google CEO Larry Page announced on Wednesday “These issues affect us all — from the decreased mobility and mental agility that comes with age, to life-threatening diseases that exact a terrible physical and emotional toll on individuals and families. And while this is clearly a longer-term bet, we believe we can make good progress within reasonable timescales with the right goals and the right people.”

Apple Chairman Arthur Levinson’s experience as the former chairman of Genentech is a crucial ingredient to the success of the project. Genentech is a biotechnology company that focuses on life-threatening illnesses. Both leaders are excited about the project; however, Page expects it will bear fruit after 10 to 20 years.

“There’s not much more to share yet. Of course when Art has something more substantial to communicate (and that will likely take time), he’ll provide an update.”