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Samsung Medicine, the medical device unit of Samsung Electronics, said on Wednesday it plans to acquire Sonio, a Paris-based startup that makes AI-powered software for ultrasound workflows, for about $92.7 million. (KRW 126 billion dollars).
The French startup's AI assistant aims to help obstetricians and gynecologists evaluate and document ultrasound exams, and it has also received regulatory clearance in the United States (FDA 510(k)) for Sonio Detect. It is a product that uses deep learning algorithms. To improve the image quality of ultrasound scans in real time.
Samsung Medicine said Sony's software will help bring better AI-powered imaging workflows to market. Samsung Electronics, which owns a 68.45% stake in the medical device unit, acquired Medicine in 2011 for $22 million.
After the acquisition, Sony will remain an independent company and continue to grow commercially and offer products and services in France, Samsung said in a statement.
Co-founded in 2020 by Cecile Brosset (CEO) and Remi Besson (CSO), Sonio recently raised $14 million in Series A funding led by CrossBorder Impact Ventures in August 2023. The company has raised a total of $27.2 million. Tracxn, and its investors include Elaia, Bpifrance French Tech Seed, OneRagtime, and a few angel investors.
“Through the acquisition of Sonio, Samsung Medison will continue to deliver on its promise to improve people's quality of life with technology,” said Yong Kwan Kim, CEO of Samsung Medicine. “The collaboration with Sonio will bring together the best ultrasound AI technology and reporting capabilities to revolutionize the prenatal ultrasound exam.”
“The combination of Samsung Madison's established global ultrasound business with Sonio's advanced AI provides an exciting growth opportunity for both parties,” said Brosset, Sonio's CEO. “We have found in Samsung Medison an amazing, trusted partner to advance and accelerate our roadmap and mission. In addition to working closely with Samsung Medison, as an independent company, Sonio is a global medical Will continue to advance reporting technology and diagnostic software, including for underserved areas in healthcare.”