HONG KONG – South Korean med tech Olive Healthcare Inc. has attracted ₩8 billion (US$6.91 million) in series B funding. The Seoul-based company is focused on abdominal fat scanning and breast cancer diagnosis, using nonradiative and noninvasive near infrared (NIR) technology, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, and big data processing for a customized medical service.
The obesity problem is one that is affecting a growing number of people globally. With both device and drug companies looking to take on the challenge of combating the problem, Allurion Technologies Inc. has set its sights on advancing a new approach in the U.S. Now, the Natick, Mass.-based company has scored $34 million in new funding through a securities financing and a growth capital term loan. The round was led by Novalis Lifesciences and Romulus Capital, with participation from Ido Investments and ex-Covidien CEO Jose Almeida.
Most weight loss interventions target obese or super-obese patients who have adjacent comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnea. But Boston-based Gelesis aims to change that with its hydrogel pill Plenity.
HONG KONG – Olive Healthcare Inc., a South Korean biotech startup, said its abdominal fat scanner Bello has received an FDA approval to sell the device in the U.S. The company said it plans to launch the scanner in the country this December, after a market test. The miniature device is portable with a weight of 3.8 oz (107 g), measuring 3.9 inches (10 centimeters) long, 3.1 inches wide and 1.9 inches high.