Samsung Medison concludes acquisition of French AI startup Sonio

[Courtesy of Samsung Medison Co.]

South Korean medical equipment manufacturer Samsung Medison Co. announced on Monday that it has completed its acquisition of Sonio SAS, a French developer of ultrasound diagnostic reporting and artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic assistance functions, on Friday.

Samsung Medison is currently focused on streamlining the workflow of medical professionals worldwide and innovating the accessibility and accuracy of medical services by using AI and information technology (IT).

The acquisition of Sonio is expected to further reinforce the company’s goal to accelerate innovation in the field of ultrasound imaging diagnostics and expand its portfolio of AI solutions.

Samsung Medison also anticipates the acquisition to further enhance efficiency in medical settings and contribute to bridging the global healthcare gap through the synergy between Sonio’s AI solutions and its existing technology.

Sonio has developed a variety of cloud-based diagnostic IT solutions and AI diagnostic assistance functions for Ob-Gyn real-time reporting, including auto-extraction of ultrasound planes from cine clips as well as real-time ultrasound image quality evaluation and feedback.

Sonio’s AI diagnostic assistant function, Detect, which received FDA 510(k) clearance, provides accurate feedback on ultrasound examination quality and demonstrates remarkable performance with over 90 percent sensitivity in recognizing fetal ultrasound views.

“With the workforce shortages affecting the global healthcare industry, the real-time ultrasound exam guidance and quality assurance developed by Sonio is becoming more relevant to ensure high quality care,” said Samsung Medison Chief Executive Officer Yoo Kyu-tae. “We look forward to combining Sonio’s and Samsung’s advanced engineering to enhance our ultrasound roadmap and introduce next generation AI technologies to the market.”

Sonio CEO Cécile Brosset said, “We will continue to develop reporting solutions and diagnostic aids for women’s health through our synergy with Samsung Medison.”

“We are already seeing tangible results, such as securing a contract to supply AI solutions to the largest Ob-Gyn chain in the U.S.,” he added.

Tracy Bury, head of Women’s Health Business at Samsung Electronics America, also said, ”We look forward to including Sonio’s AI technologies and reporting software into our Women‘s Health ecosystem of digital solutions, which includes our cutting-edge tele-sonography solution, SonoSync, and our ultrasound management tool, S-Hub.”