Singapore-based insurtech Aktivolabs gains $10M in Series A funding

Aktivolabs, a Singaporean health tech startup, has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round led by Mitsui & Co., Adaptive Capital Partners and Enterprise Singapore's investment arm SEEDS Capital. The investing round was also joined by HH Investments and Govin Capital.

Founded in 2017, the company provides individualised digital health solutions that help people understand and manage their risk of chronic diseases. Its platform harnesses real-time health data to offer measurable actuarial and actionable value to life and health insurers.

According to a press statement, its fresh funds will be used to grow its data science capability, strengthen its product portfolio and team, and broaden its reach across Southeast Asia, Europe and the United States.

Additionally, it plans to further develop its existing algorithm and data analytics programme to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of predicting, preventing, and self-management of chronic diseases using digital biomarkers.

Thai-language speech recognition AI deployed for depression screening

Engineers from Chulalongkorn University's Department of Computer Engineering have developed a Thai-language speech recognition AI with the accuracy of a native speaker.

Called Gowajee (meaning "words"), the AI was designed as a command similar to "OK Google" and "Hey, Siri." It understands and executes commands in the Thai language "more naturally and accurately." Trained using 5,000 hours of data, the AI features automated speech recognition, text-to-speech, and automatic speaker verification. 

Based on a press release, the AI has been incorporated into the DMIND system for screening patients with depression. So far, Gowajee performed "well" in decoding emotional cues. 

Researchers said the AI technology can be further deployed to detect stroke risk in patients with slurred speech and aid those with difficulty in hearing.  

CoverGo digitises Bupa's insurance system in Hong Kong

Bupa Hong Kong is pursuing its digital transformation by partnering with global insurance platform provider CoverGo.

The company has adopted CoverGo's no-code insurance SaaS platform to streamline its health insurance ecosystem in Hong Kong. 

With CoverGo as its new health insurance system, it can accelerate customer onboarding, launch customised products quickly, increase sales through new channels, and improve the user experience for all its stakeholders, Bupa said in a statement.

"Delivering a digitally enhanced and connected journey futureproofs our business and provides an exceptional experience for our customers. Innovative healthcare is about finding new ways to care for people, so it's easier and more accessible right from enrolment to claims settlement," Yuman Chan, general manager of Bupa Hong Kong, commented.

CoverGo also powers the insurance systems of AXA, MSIG, Dai-ichi Life and DBS Bank, among others.

SK Biopharmaceuticals forays into digital health

South Korean pharmaceutical firm SK Biopharmaceuticals has revealed its plan to optimise its digital health business as part of its goal of becoming a "total healthcare solution provider."

The company is currently developing a suite of wearable devices under Project Zero, which is powered by AI and mobile technologies and offers real-time monitoring and data-driven seizure detection for patients with epilepsy. This includes Zero Glasses, Zero Wired, Zero Headband, Zero Earbud, and Zero Headset.

Additionally, these devices can be paired with the Zero app, which records seizures and gathers bio-signal data in real time.