Samjin Pharmaceutical has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Ontact Health, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based medical and healthcare company, for exclusive domestic distribution of the cardiac ultrasound AI solution "SONIX HEALTH," the company said Thursday. The two companies plan to jointly conduct marketing activities to expand the adoption of SONIX HEALTH among Korean medical institutions.
SONIX HEALTH, developed by Ontact Health, has obtained 510(k) pre-market clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Class 2 medical device certification from Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. According to Samjin Pharmaceutical, conventional cardiac ultrasound interpretation has been highly dependent on the examiner's proficiency and subjective judgment and takes an average of 60 to 90 minutes. SONIX HEALTH has reduced examination time by more than 70% through "one-click AI-based automatic analysis." Based on these results, it is being used at approximately 3,000 medical institutions in Korea and abroad as of the end of last year, enhancing examination efficiency in clinical settings.
Through this agreement, Samjin Pharmaceutical plans to expand its business portfolio beyond its existing pharmaceutical business into AI-based medical devices and digital healthcare. Following its supply of the existing electrocardiogram holter monitoring device "S-Patch Ex," the company has added SONIX HEALTH, expanding its cardiovascular diagnostic solution lineup.
"By combining Ontact Health's innovative AI technology with Samjin Pharmaceutical's extensive network of medical institutions, we will contribute to raising early diagnosis rates for heart disease in Korea and building a patient-centered medical environment," said Kim Sang-jin, president of Samjin Pharmaceutical. Jang Hyuk-jae, CEO of Ontact Health, also emphasized, "Through the cooperation of the two companies, the level of cardiac ultrasound diagnosis in primary care settings will be further enhanced."
