French Femtech Startup Sonio Acquired by Samsung

Sonio, a medtech company specializing in women's and children's health, has officially been acquired by Samsung, following approval from the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Sonio, coming shortly after the company's second wave of FDA clearance in 2024. Sonio's AI-powered reporting and workflow solution for obstetrics and gynecology ultrasound is already operational in multiple sites across the United States.

Founded in 2020 with a mission to improve global maternal and pediatric health through technological advancements, Sonio has been supported by early investors such as Elaia, BpiFrance, OneRagtime, Cross Border Impact Ventures, and the EIC Fund. The company's innovative solution assists clinicians in evaluating and documenting ultrasound exams, enhancing the quality and efficiency of prenatal care. Cecile Brosset, CEO and Co-founder of Sonio, expressed excitement about the future, stating, “Alongside Samsung Medison, we are excited to make significant strides in the maternal care industry. In addition, Sonio plans to continue to advance medical reporting technology and diagnostic software globally, including for underserved areas in healthcare.”

Samsung Medison CEO Kyu Tae Yoo emphasized the importance of Sonio's technology in addressing workforce shortages in the global healthcare industry. He noted, “The real-time ultrasound exam guidance and quality assurance developed by Sonio is becoming more relevant to ensure high-quality care. 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. We will focus on innovations designed to enhance exam quality, efficiency, and ultimately improve patient care.”

Despite the acquisition, Sonio will maintain its commercial independence, continuing to grow its product line while ensuring compatibility with all ultrasound device manufacturers. Brosset reiterated the company’s commitment to expanding access to high-end technology and quality maternal healthcare globally, stating, “We are committed to support all healthcare providers and patients as we pursue our mission of providing equal access to high-end technology and quality maternal healthcare globally.”

Sonio’s AI-enhanced software, which is highly customizable for workflow and practice management, empowers ultrasound practitioners and readers by assisting them in performing prenatal examinations to the highest standards. This technology is designed to ensure that every prenatal examination is conducted with the highest level of precision and care. By guaranteeing the completeness of each examination, it not only enhances the accuracy of prenatal diagnoses but also significantly improves the overall quality of maternal healthcare. The system streamlines workflows, allowing healthcare professionals to operate more efficiently, thereby reducing the time and effort required to perform complex ultrasound procedures.

What makes this technology particularly impactful is its foundation in over five years of rigorous research and development. This extensive period of innovation has been marked by close collaboration with leading experts in both fetal medicine and artificial intelligence. These partnerships have been crucial in integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities into the system, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of clinical excellence.

The AI-enhanced software acts as a powerful tool for ultrasound practitioners, empowering them to deliver superior care by supporting every aspect of the prenatal examination process. By leveraging advanced algorithms, the technology assists healthcare providers in identifying potential issues early, making informed decisions, and ultimately improving outcomes for mothers and their babies.

In summary, this technology represents a significant advancement in prenatal care, offering a comprehensive solution that combines the latest in AI with the expertise of top medical professionals. It ensures thorough examinations, streamlines clinical workflows, and supports precise prenatal diagnoses, all while being grounded in years of collaborative research and innovation.