Samsung Medison concludes acquisition of French AI startup ‘Sonio’
Samsung Medison makes a strategic move to expand the breadth of its AI offerings, and further drive ultrasound innovation.
Danvers, Massachusetts – September 3, 2024 – Boston Imaging, the United States headquarters of Samsung’s digital radiography and ultrasound business, announced today that Samsung Medison has concluded the acquisition of French AI Startup 'Sonio'. This strategic move aims to expand the breadth of Samsung's AI offerings, and further drive ultrasound innovation.
Samsung Medison received approval from the French government for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to acquire 100% of the shares of Sonio, a French AI startup specializing in obstetrics ultrasound reporting software, and subsequently concluded the acquisition process on August 30, 2024.
Sonio has developed a variety of cloud-based diagnostic IT solutions and AI diagnostic assistance functions for Ob-Gyn real-time reporting, including auto-extraction of ultrasound planes from cine clips as well as real-time ultrasound image quality evaluation and feedback. Sonio’s AI diagnostic assistant function “Detect”, which received FDA 510(k) clearance, provides accurate feedback on ultrasound examination quality, and demonstrates remarkable performance with over 90% sensitivity in recognizing fetal ultrasound views.
Samsung Medison CEO Kyu Tae Yoo said, “With the workforce shortages affecting the global healthcare industry, the real-time ultrasound exam guidance and quality assurance developed by Sonio is becoming more relevant to ensure high quality care. We look forward to combining Sonio’s and Samsung’s advanced engineering to enhance our ultrasound roadmap and introduce next generation AI technologies to the market. We will focus on innovations designed to enhance exam quality, efficiency, and ultimately improve patient care.”
Sonio CEO and Co-founder Cécile Brosset said, “Alongside Samsung Medison, we are excited to make significant strides in the maternal care industry. Sonio plans to continue to advance medical reporting technology and diagnostic software globally, including for underserved areas in healthcare”
Tracy Bury, the General Manager of the Women’s Health business at Boston Imaging, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics America, added, “We look forward to including Sonio's AI technologies and reporting software into our Women's Health ecosystem of digital solutions, which includes our cutting-edge tele-sonography solution, SonoSync™, and our ultrasound management tool, S-Hub.”
In the future, the two companies plan to combine their expertise and expand footprint to OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine and fetal therapy specialized departments.
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About Sonio
Sonio is a highly customizable workflow and practice management solution powered by AI for automation, efficiency, and quality control. "Sonio AI-enhanced¹ software empowers ultrasound practitioners and readers. Sonio assists them in performing every prenatal examination to their highest quality standards, ensuring the completeness of each examination, streamlining their workflow, and in prenatal diagnosis. Sonio is based on over five years of research and collaboration between leading experts in fetal medicine and AI. For more information, please visit: https://sonio.ai/
¹AI-enhancement is provided by FDA 510(k) cleared Sonio Detect product
**See table 6 in the 510k summary: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf24/K240406.pdf
About Samsung Medison
Samsung Medison is a global leading medical device company, specializing in diagnostic imaging devices. With a mission to bring health and well-being of people's lives, the company is committed to create a new future for medical professionals and patients around the world across various medical fields. In 2011, Samsung Medison became an affiliate company of Samsung Electronics, integrating world's best IT, image processing, semiconductor and communication technologies into medical devices. For more information, please visit https://www.samsungmedison.com/
About Boston Imaging
Boston Imaging markets innovative imaging technologies and is committed to delivering fast, easy and accurate diagnostic solutions to healthcare providers. Boston Imaging is the United States headquarters for sales, marketing and distribution of all Samsung digital radiography and ultrasound systems. Boston Imaging’s growing portfolio of advanced medical technologies is used in leading healthcare institutions helping providers enhance patient care, improve patient satisfaction and increase workflow efficiency. For more information, please visit https://www.bostonimaging.com
Media Inquiries
Anthony Tardi
Boston Imaging
atardi@bostonimaging.com
Meryem Yousfi
Sonio
meryem.yousfi@sonio.ai
Daejin Kang
IR, Samsung Medison
daejin@samsungmedison.com