Samsung Medison buys AI medical startup Sonio

South Korea’s Samsung Medison, a medical equipment subsidiary of the global memory chipmaker Samsung Electronics Co., is taking over France’s Sonio SAS, a fetal ultrasound artificial intelligence (AI) software startup, for 126.5 billion won ($93 million).

Samsung Medison said on Wednesday it signed an agreement to acquire a 100% stake in Sonio with the aim of securing experienced AI developers in Europe and adding the startup’s technology to its medical AI solutions to enhance services.

The Korean company expects its technology cooperation with Sonio to reduce diagnosis time and improve quality.

“Collaboration with Sonio will bring together best-in-class ultrasound AI technology and reporting capabilities, to bring a paradigm shift to the prenatal ultrasound exam,” said Samsung Medison CEO Kim Yong Kwan in a statement.

The deal was Samsung Medison’s first takeover since it was founded in 1985. The company, in which Samsung Electronics has a 68.45% stake, has been installing AI assistance functions in various medical sectors and expanding the areas of application for ultrasound diagnostic devices.

TO STAY INDEPENDENT

Sonio will remain an independent company based in France and will continue its commercial growth independently, while its products and services will remain compatible with all ultrasound device makers, Samsung Medison said.

Founded in 2020, Sonio has developed IT solutions and AI assistant features for obstetrics and gynecology ultrasounds that assist medical professionals in the evaluation and documentation of ultrasound exams.

It obtained approval for Sonio Detect, which ensures high-quality images for fetal ultrasound images using machine learning technology, from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in August 2023.

Sonio also secured the FDA's approval for its upgraded version and has won major supply deals in the US.

“In addition to collaborating closely with Samsung Medison, as an independent company Sonio will continue to advance medical reporting technology and diagnostic software globally, including for underserved areas of health care,” Sonio CEO Cécile Brosset said.

Write to Jeong Min Nam at peux@hankyung.com
 
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.