Indian wellness startup K&L Wellness Technology scores $4M in seed funding

K&L Wellness Technology, a health technology startup in India, has bagged Rs 30 crore ($4 million) from angel investors to launch its wellness app. 

According to a news report, the company seeks to redefine wellness through science-based personalised solutions. 

K&L Wellness, also known as RESET Tech, provides therapeutic-based health solutions to lifestyle troubles using natural, sustainable, and traditional methods of yoga and meditation. 

It targets to roll out its wellness platform by "early next quarter," said co-founder Karan Talreja.

The seed round was participated by Vimal Kedia and Surendra Kedia of Manjushree Ventures and Narendra Firodia of the Sohamm Group.

Intellect extends free limited-time access to self-care app, resources

Intellect, a Singapore-based mental health startup, has started offering a free six-month premium subscription to its self-care app and resources for clients and partners of non-profit organisation Care Corner Singapore.

Available now until the end of May next year, the offering targets Singapore's middle and low-income communities whose mental well-being was heavily impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. They also lack wide access to affordable mental healthcare, according to Intellect co-founder and CEO Theodoric Chew.

In tandem with Care Corner's one-on-one mental health counselling services, Intellect will provide in-app modules and programmes that cover a range of topics, such as basic mental health aid, anxiety, worry, assertiveness and self-esteem. Some of these modules and programmes include learning paths, rescue sessions, well-being check-in, analytics, as well as guided journaling. 

Intellect will also be giving beneficiaries free access to its monthly webinar series, Intellearn, and will be conducting online workshops to help users get familiarised with its app and assist them in integrating the learning paths and rescue sessions in their personal lives.

Lunit secures US FDA approvals for AI chest x-ray and mammography diagnostic tools 

South Korea-headquartered medical AI provider Lunit has received the US Food and Drug Administration's 510(k) clearance for both its AI solutions for chest x-ray and mammography. 

Lunit INSIGHT MMG analyses mammography images and detects the location of lesions indicative of breast cancer, along with providing an abnormality score. This device is trained using over 240,000 mammography cases, including around 50,000 breast cancer cases. It was previously cleared in Europe upon receiving a CE mark. 

Meanwhile, Lunit INSIGHT CXR Triage is a triage and notification software that analyses chest x-ray images. It is designed to prioritise emergent cases such as pleural effusion and pneumothorax following examinations to quickly notify clinicians about findings and thus cutting diagnosis time for urgent cases. This device is trained using more than 160,000 chest radiographs with CT images. It has shown around 94%-96% sensitivity and 95%-99% specificity on pleural effusion and pneumothorax.

Sky Labs brings wearable heart monitoring device to Britain

South Korean medical technology startup Sky Labs is rolling out its AI-powered wearable heart monitoring device called CART-I.

It has received a CE-MDD approval in Europe, permitting the use of the device for atrial fibrillation monitoring and disease diagnoses within the region.

Sky Labs noted Britain's medical digitalisation that prompted the "sharp growth" of telemedicine and mobile health markets there, opening an opportunity for the startup with the increase in interest in innovative health products.

The ring-type CART-I automatically measures atrial fibrillation and heart rate round the clock. It uses ECG to collect precise cardiac signals, as well as a PPG sensor for continuous atrial fibrillation monitoring without intervention. 

Collected data are transmitted to a cloud platform where these are processed by AI into insights and sent back both to the user's app and their doctor's platform. The data help medical professionals form an accurate diagnosis of their patients' conditions.

In June, Sky Labs obtained $20 million in a Series B investing round, which was deployed for the development of new monitoring devices for different chronic diseases, for acquiring market approvals, and for manpower recruitment.

Terumo, Diabeloop sign deal to deliver automated insulin delivery solutions to Europe

Terumo Corporation, a Tokyo-based medical technology firm, and French therapeutic AI treatment device maker Diabeloop have partnered to expand their solutions for diabetic patients in Europe.

They agreed to market their automated insulin delivery (AID) system with a potential for further global expansion.

Used for insulin-dependent diabetes management, the AID system automates and personalises the treatment of diabetes.  A self-learning algorithm called DBLG1 developed by Diabeloop is connected to a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump by Terumo. It analyses data in real-time and is able to either maintain current insulin settings or adjust insulin delivery. 

The two companies have been developing the AID system since 2020 with an initial aim to target Japanese patients.

"Together with Diabeloop, we are confident that we will be able to provide healthcare professionals and patients with value-added solutions not only in Japan but for all corners of the world," said Hikaru Samejima, president of Terumo's General Hospital Company.

"We are thrilled to reinforce our partnership with global leader Terumo with this new agreement and expand our contribution to personalised diabetes management via Diabeloop's interoperable solution," Marc Julien, co-CEO of Diabeloop, also said.

US-based Labcorp opens bioanalytical lab in Singapore

American life sciences company Labcorp has opened an integrated bioanalytical laboratory in Singapore.

Its latest Asia Pacific facility will be co-located with the company's Central Laboratory Services and Clinical Development and Commercialization Services, strengthening its laboratory network in the region.

According to a press release, the new bioanalytical laboratory will offer bioanalysis, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and immunochemistry platforms, as well as clinical biomarker analytical services.

The all-in-one facility will provide clients with "faster turnaround times" for data in early phase trials conducted within the region, said Labcorp Drug Development CEO Dr Paul Kirchgraber.

"Singapore serves as a strategic location from which Labcorp can increase accessibility by offering regional and international clients comprehensive support for their bioanalytical studies," Kirchgraber stated.