Babylon invests $30m in US consumer health company Higi

Babylon Health has invested $30 million (£25m) in consumer health engagement company Higi in a bid to help the company grow its reach of care.

The series B funding will go towards expanding Higi’s Smart Health Stations and digital programming.

Higi provides users access points to learn about different health conditions, asses their risk and receive personalized recommendations for local care services.

Stations are located at grocery stores, pharmacies and community centres throughout North America. They have been used by 62 million people to date.

Babylon’s investment will see the stations offer it’s symptom checking and remote digital health tools, offering an end-to-end solution.

Dr Ali Parsa, chief executive and founder of Babylon, said: “We love Higi’s mission of making the steps toward health more accessible, affordable and convenient for all, and we are proud to back their brilliant management team to deliver on this mission by meeting people inside the communities where they live.

“Higi’s Smart Health Stations are already located in thousands of towns across North America, and by integrating Babylon’s digital first healthcare services into Higi’s station experience, we can make the healthcare services that people need that much more accessible and affordable across North America.”

Jeff Bennett, chief executive of Higi, added: “With Babylon as one of our investors and strategic partners, we are beautifully positioned to drive real change in the delivery of primary care across the US.

“Our commitment is to provide consumers, anywhere they might be, with smart medical tools like unique diagnostics to support their health and wellbeing. Our partnership with Babylon broadens our clinical capabilities and ability to support consumers with acute medical problems or those with chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, thereby allowing us to better meet the needs of payors, retailers and health systems.”

Babylon is already providing access to healthcare services through its app to members of certain health plans in Missouri, New York and California.

The company’s investment was supported by additional funding from Higi’s Series A investors.