Lotte Healthcare to launch AI-based health management platform

South Korea's Lotte Healthcare has entered the digital healthcare market through the launch next week of its personalized healthcare management platform Cazzle.

Selected by Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin as a new future business and launched in April last year with an investment of 70 billion won ($52.7 million) from Lotte Holdings, Lotte Healthcare aims to attract a million subscribers by late next year.

"By utilizing Lotte Group’s business-to-consumer success know-how and infrastructure, we will create a healthcare playground that the country lacks,” CEO Lee Hoon-ki on Thursday told a news conference at Lotte World Tower in Seoul. “We will launch a health management service closely related to daily life through placement of elements accessible daily by users.”

As a healthcare commerce platform, Cazzle offers personalized healthcare management information by integrating and analyzing health checkup data, survey information, genetic test results, and diet and physical activity levels using artificial intelligence (AI). It also recommends customized exercise, nutritional supplements and what to eat.

Its official release date is Monday.

Lotte Healthcare is also seeking to differentiate itself through investment and collaboration with its parent group affiliates and competitive domestic companies. In November, Cazzle will launch a mental health counseling service in collaboration with digital mental care startup Atommerce.

In March, the company will launch a customized program for weight management based on a user's genetic traits, lifestyle habits, medical data and microbiome (intestinal microorganisms). Scalp and skin care services will follow in June and brain health care with the AI-based digital mental healthcare platform startup iMediSync comes in November next year.

“We're drawing an overall picture of how to form a healthcare ecosystem at the group level,” CEO Lee said. “The strength of our collaboration with affiliates will gradually grow.”

With a goal of a million subscribers by late next year, Lotte Healthcare seeks to separate itself from corporations that have entered the field like Naver and Kakao through the elements of "fun" and "enjoyment."

Write to Hun-Hyoung Ha at hhh@hankyung.com