The digital healthcare business of South Korean internet company Kakao Corporation has entered into a collaboration agreement with Dexcom to set up a global digital diabetes management service.

According to a press statement, the deal combines Kakao Healthcare's capabilities in AI and software technology with Dexcom's continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, Dexcom G6 and G7, which the company is currently seeking approval for from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

The global diabetes management service will be first launched in South Korea in the fourth quarter of the year, followed by launches in the United States, the Middle East, and Japan next year. The upcoming service will also offer Kakao Healthcare's physician dashboard system for efficient patient management. 

THE LARGER TREND

This latest collaboration deal follows the initial partnership signed between Kakao Healthcare and Dexcom in April. During the signing of their memorandum of understanding, Kakao Healthcare said it expects the partnership to "contribute to reducing socio-economic costs, as well as improving the quality of life of patients with diabetes."

Kakao Healthcare has been involved in local efforts to prevent diabetes. Recently, it tied up with Diabetes Research Foundation to promote the use of CGM systems, as well as conduct research to improve blood glucose management and raise public awareness of diabetes and blood sugar management.

ON THE RECORD

"Through this agreement with Dexcom, we will not only launch an innovative blood glucose management service [based on] CGM in Korea but also expand into the global market. We will strive to improve public health and create social value in Korea, and [contribute to the] global expansion of K-digital healthcare," Kakao Healthcare CEO Hwang Hee said in a statement.