Digital Health Coffee Time Briefing ☕

Your morning summary of digital health news, information and events to know about if you want to be “in the know”. 

???? News   

???? Lillian Care, a healthcare technology company co-founded by serial entrepreneurs and veterans of the German healthcare industry, today announced it has raised €2.4 million in pre-seed funding, with a projected commitment of an additional €2.4m at seed stage, bringing total funding commitments to €5m. The pre-seed investment will go towards ensuring primary care delivery in underserved areas among a growing shortage of general practitioners.  

???? Sonrai Analytics, a leading AI precision medicine company, has announced its ISO 13485 certification for its rigorous quality management system for designing, developing and producing AI medical devices. The ISO 13485 certification is the gold standard for the medical device industry. Organisations conforming to ISO 13485 must demonstrate consistent review and validation of product development and manufacturing processes, effective operational procedures, meticulous record-keeping to ensure product traceability and robust post-market processes.  

???? A consortium led by Ardian, a world leading private investment house, has agreed to acquire an additional 19% stake in Dedalus, a leading European player in the healthcare software industry, from founder Giorgio Moretti. Subject to customary authorisations by the competent authorities, upon completion of the transaction, the consortium will indirectly hold a 92% stake in the company, with Moretti retaining a 6% stake and a seat in the board. The agreement aims to support Dedalus through a new phase of expansion. 

???? Kalium Health, a Cambridge University spinout developing the world’s first blood potassium rapid self-test, has launched its Series A offering to investors. The company is now raising £6 million to complete clinical validation activities and enter the US market. The investment, set to close in spring 2024, will fund activities necessary for international regulatory approvals and initial market launch in the United States, including scaling up product manufacturing and establishing partnerships with innovative healthcare providers.   

⏳ Sir Jim Mackey has been named the new chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals, and a Number 10 official will return to NHS England to take over his role as interim chief operating officer, it has been announced. Dame Emily Lawson, former head of the national covid vaccination programme, will take over as NHSE interim COO when Sir Jim leaves to take the CEO role at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust in the new year. 

❓ Did you know that? 

The money.co.uk business loans team has conducted an analysis into women entrepreneurship in the UK, from the number of self-employed women, to the UK’s women in business hotspots. The study revealed healthcare ranks 1st in the top 10 industries with the most women-led businesses. The health, wellbeing and social care sector leads the pack with 40.4% of its 210,557 companies being women-led. 

???? What we’re reading 

The Register: Half a billion pound NHS data platform award still stuck in the pipes – The controversial Federated Data Platform for England’s health service looks set for more delays as the government body awarding the £480 million ($582 million) contract – for which Palantir is considered a frontrunner – failed to confirm the winner at the back end of last week. 

???? This week’s events 

25 October, in London, Wandsworth Halloween Beer & Cider Festival 2023