Kakao Ventures: Real-World Digital Healthcare Applications Brown Bag

Kakao Ventures hosted a brown bag meeting on the theme of 'Digital Diagnosis and Treatment Reaching the Medical Field' and introduced digital healthcare companies that are achieving results in actual medical settings, beyond KFDA approval. Senior Analyst Jung Joo-yeon emphasized the importance of demonstrating sustainable growth after regulatory approval, practical applicability in clinical settings, and potential for widespread adoption. Emocog, the first presenter, developed 'Cogthera,' Korea's first digital therapeutic device for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). It is a voice-based app solution for the elderly, focusing on slowing the progression of MCI. It is awaiting designation as an innovative medical technology by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and non-reimbursable prescriptions are expected to be available in hospitals and clinics starting this September. CEO Roh Yoo-heon stated that the company is exploring entry into the European market, building on German clinical trials, in addition to the domestic market. Next, Alpi showcased its technology for early diagnosis of heart diseases and emergency situations with 'ECG Buddy,' a 12-lead ECG-based AI solution. It contributes to securing patients' golden hour by screening for severe diseases such as myocardial infarction and heart failure in emergency rooms and at emergency sites. CEO Kim Joong-hee conveyed plans to full-scale expansion into global markets such as Europe and the United States, based on experience accumulated in the domestic medical field. Kim Chi-won, Vice President of Kakao Ventures, expressed anticipation, stating, "The medical field is an area where specialized companies can leverage their strengths due to its unique characteristics," and "Teams like Emocog and Alpi, who have proven their reliability and scalability based on clinical data, will set the standard for the medical AI ecosystem going forward." This meeting was arranged for communication between Kakao Ventures family companies and the media.