Startups that are disrupting Healthcare in 2019 (5 companies to watch)
It’s no secret that the healthcare industry has become a formidable presence in the startup arena, garnering hundreds of millions of dollars in investing this year. In fact, according to a Forbes article, all signs point to 2018 being a record breaking year for healthcare VC investing.
Because of this hyperactive market, there has been an increase in the amount of healthcare startups looking to capitalize on this interest from investors. This means that it’s getting harder to separate the contenders from the pretenders when it comes to these new companies. To help identify the cream of the crop, here is the definitive list of the top five healthcare startups to keep an eye on in 2019.
Virta
Virta is doing great work in helping those with diabetes, and they’ll continue to do more great things in 2019. Virta Health has delivered the first clinically-proven treatment to safely and sustainably reverse type 2 diabetes without the use medications or surgery. In there first year of treatments, 60% of their patients achieved diabetes reversal, 94% of insulin users reduced or eliminated their usage, and 83% of patients remained active in the trial. This is one healthcare startup we’ll for sure keep our eye on in the coming year.
Ōmcare
Ōmcare is an innovative healthy technology company and startup that address medication non-adherence through the use of their Ōmcare Telemed System. The product, which features video chat interface, 3-way calling capabilities, medication dispensing and consumption assistance, and adherence confirmation will be available mid-2019. The Ōmcare Telemed System offers caregivers of all types – physicians, pharmacists. and family – the ability to see, speak to, and confirm appropriate medication from anywhere. Ōmcare also addresses the growing twin problems of social isolation and the shortage of paid and unpaid caregivers in the senior market. The real costs of medication non-adherence and loneliness are more than just dollars and cents, and Ōmcare understands that.
Helix
Helix is a startup that is working towards “democratizing DNA” with their genetic testing marketplace. What makes Helix an exciting company to pay close attention to is their business model. They differentiate themselves from other genomics testing companies like 23andMe by requesting a single one time donation that allows their customers access to their marketplace of testing options. Everyone has a right to know about their ancestral history, and Helix is making it accessible to all.
PEAR Therapeutics
PEAR is actually the first company to receive an FDA clearance for a prescription digital therapeutic that works towards improving clinical outcomes in a disease. PEAR uses software applications that have been clinically-validated with pharmaceutical and treatment paradigms to provide results for their patients, which includes those with diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s, asthma, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and more.
Sensely
Sensely is a digital health company that uses an avatar-based, empathy-driven application that helps clinicians and their patients keep track and manage their health. The platform, highlighted by the virtual assistant “Molly,” includes data integration, images and videos, text to speech capabilities, and speech recognition. Sensely provides access to high quality medicine by utilizing artificial intelligence, a trend we’ll likely see continue in the healthcare startup sector.
Why Investing in Healthcare is Smart
More-so than any other industry, healthcare is an essential part of our everyday lives. Not just certain people, but everyone is affected by healthcare technology. Startups in this industry are working diligently to change the world by weaving new technology, drug and genetic advances, analytics and AI into solutions that impact our health, quality of life, and wallet.
While there have been many groundbreaking achievements in healthcare over the years, there is still so much opportunity to produce better, faster, and more efficient diagnoses, treatments, and management. Not only are there large returns to be had for investing in these companies, but you’ll lend a hand in the next big healthcare breakthrough.
Anser Innovation seeks funds to develop medication management device
The company behind PetChatz, a device which connects pet owners to their fur babies while they’re away from home, has a new healthcare product in the pipeline. Anser Innovation is nearly halfway toward a fundraising target to finish developing its latest creation, Ōmcare, according to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Burnsville-based Anser wants to raise $1.7 million more toward a goal of $3 million, the filing indicates. The new product, Ōmcare, is a home eHealth hub and audiovisual medication management system meant to ensure people take the right pills at the right time.
Read the full article from Twin Cities Business here.
IoT startup Anser Innovation attracts more investment for new product line
The latest infusion builds off a previously closed $500k, now at $1.3m of $3m, in pursuit of a medication management system targeting the elder care population as well as opiate use disorder.
Ōmcare, as the new product is branded, is a “Home eHealth Hub and Audiovisual Medication Management system that promises visual confirmation of ‘the right pill at the right time’ for true medication adherence.”
Read the full article from TECHdotMN here.