[INSERT FINAL TERMS OF SERVICE]— the structure below outlines the operative terms we intend to ship at public launch, pending review by counsel. Substantive commitments are real and binding today; the legally precise language will replace this draft.

Overview

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Helica services (the “Service”) operated by Helica, Inc. By creating an account or using the Service you agree to these Terms. If you don’t agree, don’t use the Service.

The Service

The Service ingests genetic data files you upload, runs interpretive analysis pipelines against them, and surfaces findings to you through a dashboard, conversational chat interface, and downloadable reports. The Service is informational and educational. It is not a medical device. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Accounts

You must be 18 years or older to create a Helica account.
You may only upload genetic data that belongs to you, or for which you have explicit, written authorization to upload (e.g., a minor child you are the legal guardian of, with appropriate consent considerations).
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials.

Informational only — no medical advice

Findings shown by the Service are informational. Helica does not diagnose disease, does not recommend medications, doses, or treatments, and is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed prescriber. Always discuss any change to your medications, dosing, or course of care with your prescriber. We will never tell you what drug to take or stop. This rule has no exceptions.

Your data

You retain all ownership rights to your genetic data. You grant Helica a limited license to process your data for the purpose of providing the Service to you (analyzing it, displaying findings, generating handoff PDFs, performing quarterly reanalysis). We do not share, sell, or rent your genetic data. See our Privacy Policy for the full data handling commitments.

We will not transfer your genetic data as part of an asset sale or acquisition without giving you at least 60 days’ written notice and a one-click export-and-delete option.

Payment & cancellation

Paid subscriptions are billed monthly or annually in advance via Stripe.
You may cancel at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period.
Within 14 days of your first paid month, we will refund you in full for any reason. After that, we credit pro-rated unused time toward a future re-subscription.
After cancellation, your data remains accessible read-only for 30 days, then is deleted unless you ask us to retain it.

Intellectual property

The Service, including the dashboard, the conversational interface, the analysis pipelines, the handoff PDF templates, and all related copy and design, is owned by Helica, Inc. and protected by copyright, trademark, and other applicable laws. You may not copy, reproduce, or reverse-engineer the Service except as expressly permitted by law.

Open-source tools used in our pipeline (PharmCAT, Aldy, AnnotSV, T1K, etc.) remain governed by their respective open-source licenses, and we contribute back where appropriate.

Disclaimers

The Service is provided “AS IS” and “AS AVAILABLE” without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. Genetic interpretation is an evolving science; findings may be reclassified as evidence develops, which is precisely why we offer quarterly reanalysis.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Helica, Inc. and its officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of your use of the Service, including without limitation any decision you make about medication or medical care based on findings shown in the Service. Our aggregate liability for any claim arising out of the Service is limited to the amount you paid Helica in the 12 months preceding the claim.

Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Disputes will be resolved by binding arbitration in Delaware, except either party may bring an individual action in small claims court.

Contact

Questions about these Terms: legal@helica.health.