Kakao launches AI-based blood sugar management solution

South Korea’s Kakao Healthcare Corp. has introduced an artificial intelligence-based blood sugar management solution targeting the global digital medical market for diabetes and related chronic disease treatment.

The wholly owned subsidiary of South Korean mobile platform giant Kakao Corp. announced on Thursday its launch of Pasta, a blood sugar management service utilizing continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and smartphones.

The Pasta app, available in the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, is currently capable of linking with two CGM devices – the G7 of US medical device manufacturer Dexcom Inc. and the CareSens Air of South Korean producer i-SENS Inc.

Kakao Healthcare plans to connect Pasta with Mallya, the smart cap for pen injectors of French drug delivery device maker Biocorp acquired by Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk A/S through a software development kit (SDK) by the second quarter for the first time in the world.

The South Korean digital healthcare platform operator is set to expand Pasta’s services to chronic diseases related to diabetes and make inroads into other countries starting with Japan from this year.

“We aim to contribute to reducing diabetes treatment costs of more than 3 trillion won ($2.2 billion) a year,” said Kakao Healthcare CEO Hwang Hee.

TO COLLECT DATA ON BLOOD SUGAR, LIFESTYLES

Kakao Healthcare secured the necessary approval for Pasta from South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in November 2023.

When a user selects a CGM model in the Pasta app, it shows how to attach the sensor with detailed explanations of precautions and connection processes. The app automatically displays real-time blood sugar data through Bluetooth once linked.

Pasta analyzes information collected from a patient when he or she uses the CGM device to provide various data such as blood sugar volatility, readings from the glucose management indicator (GMI) and average blood sugar.

The platform helps users easily understand the correlation between their lifestyles and blood sugar through simple records and blood glucose data. The app allows users to record not only their exercise, insulin and medication, but also meals’ nutrients and calories by uploading pictures of the foods they eat. Pasta shows changes in blood sugar depending on various habits to help users seek healthy lifestyles on their own while generating reports on the efficacy of certain activities to manage blood glucose based on the users' data.

The app also features bulletin boards, which allow users to communicate with others depending on their type of blood glucose management, and a community function, which provides customized content for management.

Kakao Healthcare separately introduced Pasta Connect Pro, a platform that allows medical doctors to check users’ blood sugar data through the Pasta app for treatment.

The company aims to link Pasta Connect Pro with hospitals’ electronic medical records for the convenience of patients and doctors.

Write to Dae-Kyu Ahn at powerzanic@hankyung.com
 

Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.