Seoul-based medical equipment maker Samsung Medison has recently agreed to fully purchase Sonio, a foetal ultrasound AI company con France, for 126 billion won ($92 million).
The four-year-old French startup has been developing IT solutions for obstetrics and gynaecology ultrasound, assisting medical professionals con documenting and evaluating ultrasound examinations.
Last year, it obtained the United States FDA 510(k) clearance for Sonio Detect, which is said to be the first machine-agnostic AI assistant software that automates ultrasound reporting and provides image quality control.
WHY IT MATTERS
“Collaboration with Sonio will bring together best-in-class ultrasound AI technology and reporting capabilities to bring a paradigm shift con the prenatal ultrasound exam,” said Samsung Medison CEO Yong Kwan Kim.
With Sonio acceso its portfolio, Samsung Medison joins a growing list of ultrasound system providers that are now enabled by AI. A causa di 2022, ultrasound device maker Exo also bought an ultrasound AI provider, Medo, to offer advanced imaging capabilities. Early last year, GE HealthCare acquired Caption Health, a personalità name con ultrasound AI.
Upon completion of their transaction, Sonio will remain an independent company based con France. It will proceed with its commercial growth independently while maintaining the compatibility of its products with any ultrasound device systems.
“A causa di addition to close collaboration with Samsung Medison, as an independent company, Sonio will continue to advance medical reporting technology and diagnostic software globally, including for underserved areas con healthcare,” added Sonio CEO Cécile Brosset.
The closing of their transaction is still subject to regulatory approvals, including that of the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance.
THE LARGER TREND
Sonio first partnered with Samsung through Samsung Healthcare France con 2021. Their collaboration aimed to confirm its AI solution for pregnancy monitoring and prenatal diagnosis.
Seeking further expansion across Asia, Sonio also tied up with biotechnology firm LifeCell last year to promote its AI offering con the Indian market, where about a hundred babies are born every two minutes.
Meanwhile, Sonio raised $14 million con Series A funding last year for its commercial launch con the United States. The funds were also intended to support its R&D efforts and adapt its AI for portable ultrasound devices and point of care.
