Month: December 2022

German company apoQlar announced its plans to raise Series A funding after receiving FDA 510(k) clearance for its VSI HoloMedicine platform, a mixed reality offering that helps surgeons plan for procedures using 3D holographic technology. 

The platform enables surgeons to turn radiographic images such as PET, Angio CT, SPECT, CBCT, CT and MRI scans into 3D holograms to examine before surgery.

Through its subsidiary in Miami, Florida, apoQlar will distribute its HoloMedicine platform in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2023, and the prospective Series A raise will help scale its platform.

The Hamburg-based company said it has now received medical certifications in 30 countries. 

“With mixed reality, we are no longer bound to physical objects in a physical world. We can leverage digital objects and services on top of the real world for equal or greater utility and usually at a fraction of the cost. Mixed reality is

Lumen, maker of a handheld metabolism measurement device, announced Thursday it had scooped up $62 million in Series B funding. 

The round was led by Pitango Venture Capital with participation from Hanwha Group, Resolute Ventures, RiverPark Ventures, Unorthodox Ventures, Almeda Capital and Disruptive VC.

The company previously raised $8.5 million in 2019 as well as a crowdfunding raise in 2018.  

WHAT THEY DO

The startup offers a handheld, breathalyzer-like device equipped with a CO2 sensor. Users breathe into the device, and it analyzes whether the body is burning fats or carbs for fuel. 

Lumen also provides an app that collects that data and provides nutrition recommendations based on results. It also integrates with Apple HealthKit, Google Fit and Garmin. 

The company said it has partnered with research institutions like Purdue University’s Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, University of Toronto’s Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and ARU Cambridge over

The latest results from the Apple Women’s Health Study found 16.4% of the study population experienced abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB).

The findings, which were published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, collected self-reported cycle-tracking data from 18,875 participants’ from November 2019 through July 2021.

Monthly tracking was confirmed using survey responses, with participants verifying the previous months’ data accuracy to be included.

Four AUB patterns were considered, with 2.9% of participants experiencing irregular menses, 8.4% having infrequent menses, 2.3% reporting prolonged menses and 6.1% experiencing irregular intermenstrual bleeding (spotting). 

Participants with polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism were more likely to report AUB compared with participants who didn’t report these conditions. 

Black participants were more likely to report AUB, and they experienced a 33% increased prevalence of infrequent menses compared to white, non-Hispanic participants. Asian participants had irregular menses at a higher rate.

The mean age

Return on investment and clinical validation will be the most significant indicators for success for digital health companies in 2023, according to a survey by investment firm GSR Ventures.

The survey, which included responses from more than 50 investors, found that more than 94% deemed ROI to be “important” or “very important” to a digital health company’s success, and 79% said clinical evidence and trials were top indicators. 

Investors anticipate digital health funding in 2023 will be between $15 billion and $25 billion. They also expect valuations will decrease by around 20% for seed stage funding. Series A and Series B+ valuations could dip between 20% and 40%. 

The prevalence of provider shortages and burnout will provide the most opportunity for startups, according to 48.1% of those surveyed. Nearly 27% said changing reimbursement models was the biggest challenge, followed by 11.5% who cited interoperability.

More than half of investors said

Finland-based Oura, maker of the health-tracking Ring, announced the launch of “Oura For Business,” which will supply individuals with personalized insights while providing customized tools and recommendations for leaders based on group data. 

Oura said it will offer specialized offerings geared toward employee wellness, athletics, the military, healthcare, corporations and higher education.

The Finland-based company says employers can access anonymous Oura Ring metrics on sleep, readiness, activity scores, and member-focused content and guidance to take action on employee wellbeing metrics. 

Still, individual participation in organization-level programs and reports is on an opt-in basis. 

“Oura For Business fundamentally improves how organizations of all kinds can support their people,” Tom Hale, Oura’s CEO said in a statement. “Helping individuals thrive is how we create success and positive outcomes for society as a whole. We’ve already seen significant traction with enterprise customers and are excited to continue growing these offerings as part of