On August 8th, Novo Nordisk, under the guidance of General Manager Sasha Semienchuk, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kakao Healthcare at their headquarters in Jamsil, Seoul.

The collaboration centers around Novo Nordisk’s upcoming innovation, the ‘Mallya Smart Sensor,’ scheduled for launch in the second half of the year, and Kakao Healthcare’s digital blood glucose management service, known as ‘Project Gamma.’ The primary objective of this partnership is to offer a comprehensive digital blood glucose management solution that seamlessly integrates real-time monitoring of blood glucose levels and insulin injection records.

The ‘Mallya Smart Sensor’ technology acquires and logs daily insulin injection data via a connected mobile application linked to existing insulin pens. This facilitates immediate treatment tracking and monitoring. The sensor is affixed to insulin self-injection pens, capturing vital details about medication dosages and administration times. This data is then wirelessly transmitted to a software platform via Bluetooth.

This innovative collaboration establishes a notably efficient and user-friendly approach to managing insulin dosages for diabetic patients. Future plans encompass the integration of this disease management initiative into patients’ electronic medical records (EMR), paving the way for its eventual incorporation into a comprehensive program intertwined with medical professionals and hospital information systems (HIS) within the patients’ attending medical facilities.

Sasha Semienchuk, the General Manager (GM) of Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, stated, “Korea boasts one of the world’s most advanced digital infrastructures, with particularly vibrant and dynamic AI-driven healthcare innovations.” He emphasized, “Regrettably, Korea is also grappling with one of the fastest-growing aging populations, accompanied by a surge in diabetic cases among its citizens.”

Semienchuk conveyed, “We firmly believe that the convergence of pharmaceuticals, devices, and healthcare software can tangibly enhance the well-being of these patients,” adding, “Our partnership with Kakao Healthcare, a prominent figure in South Korea's digital healthcare realm, fills us with enthusiasm as we work together to deliver pragmatic solutions that uplift the lives of six million Koreans grappling with diabetes.”

Kakao Healthcare's CEO, Hwnag Hee, articulated, “Through this synergy with Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals, we envision heightened convenience for diabetic patients in Korea. Kakao Healthcare is committed to introducing ground-breaking services aimed at elevating patients' quality of life and preempting complications.”

Meanwhile, Kakao Healthcare had earlier signed MOUs and pivotal contractual agreements in April with global giants like Dexcom, Google Cloud, and Signature Healthcare. These collaborations were established to foster innovation in mobile chronic disease management, AI-driven healthcare via federated learning, and real-time patient monitoring, all aligned with their worldwide business endeavors.