Samsung Acquires Infant Ultrasound AI Software Developer

Samsung’s medical diagnostic business has acquired Sonio SAS, which develops AI-powered ultrasound software.

Founded in 2020, the French startup’s AI software solutions are designed to improve care quality for women and infants.

According to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 33 babies in the U.S. are born with birth defects.

Sonio’s AI-powered software helps health care workers perform ultrasounds, enabling them to quickly detect prenatal brain and heart structures.

The software assists health care workers during fetal examinations, streamlining their workflow and enabling them to provide expectant mothers with faster diagnoses. The platform compiles all the findings into annotated images which can be shared with other medical professionals or the infant’s mother via QR code.

The French company will operate independently from Samsung Medison once the transaction is complete. Its software will still be compatible with non-Samsung ultrasound devices, Samsung confirmed.

“We have great respect and admiration for what the Sonio team has built in the area of maternal care,” said Yong Kwan Kim, Samsung Medison’s CEO. “Through the acquisition of Sonio, Samsung Medison will continue to deliver upon our promise to improve the quality of people’s lives with technology.

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“Collaboration with Sonio will bring together best-in-class ultrasound AI technology and reporting capabilities to bring a paradigm shift in the prenatal ultrasound exam.”

Sonio’s AI-powered software is designed to improve prenatal care quality. Credit: Sonio

Sonio has raised $30 million to date. Its backers include Elaia Partners, Cross Border Impact Ventures and the European Innovation Council’s Fund.

Its AI solutions received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last August, meaning its technology is safe to use in clinical environments.

Having entered the U.S. market, Sonio’s software solutions are also distributed by global partners in India, Brazil and Nigeria.

“Samsung Medison’s established global ultrasound business combined with Sonio’s advanced AI creates an exciting growth opportunity for both sides,” said Cécile Brosset, Sonio CEO. “We have found in Samsung Medison an amazing, trusting partner to pursue and accelerate our roadmap and mission. In 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 in health care.”

This article first appeared in IoT World Today's sister site, AI Business.

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