NAVER D2SF, the venture capital unit of NAVER, recently made another investment in Soundable Health, a startup that uses AI to analyze sounds for health diagnostics. NAVER D2SF had previously invested during Soundable Health’s seed round in 2019 and is excited about their ongoing growth in the U.S. healthcare scene.
Soundable Health focuses on using sound to monitor health. Their flagship product, proudP, listens to urine flow to check for urinary issues like benign prostatic hyperplasia and overactive bladder. What’s impressive is that proudP has an accuracy rate of 97% and works through everyday smartphones. It doesn’t need complex medical equipment and relies on data from over 500,000 home tests.
As an FDA Class II medical device, proudP meets strict quality and privacy standards, making it accessible for home use. This allows patients to conduct uroflowmetry tests conveniently, eliminating the need for clinic visits.
So far, over 130 urology clinics and 50,000 patients in the U.S. have adopted the proudP system. The company aims for even more growth as insurance, including Medicare, starts covering this service in 2026. Soundable Health is also exploring partnerships with global pharmaceutical and tech companies, expanding into areas like respiratory monitoring.
Experts believe that technologies like Soundable Health’s are crucial as global populations age. Catherine Song, the co-founder and CEO of Soundable Health, emphasizes the importance of simple and continuous health monitoring. She sees acoustic AI as key for better chronic care management, enabling patients to live more independently.
Sanghwan Yang, Head of NAVER D2SF, points out that successful growth depends not only on strong technology but also on understanding customer needs. Soundable Health has shown their ability to connect with the market effectively.
In recent years, the digital health market has surged. According to a report by Statista, the global telehealth market is expected to grow from $45 billion in 2020 to $175 billion by 2026. This highlights a clear trend: more people are seeking convenient and accessible healthcare solutions.
The combination of AI, patient convenience, and innovative healthcare solutions seems promising. As we move toward a future with greater emphasis on at-home care, products like proudP could lead the way in transforming patient experiences in healthcare.
For more on Soundable Health, check out their website here.
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NAVER, corporate venture capital, growth trajectory, respiratory health, Health, acoustic analysis
