Flipkart to enter healthcare space via SastaSundar acquisition

One of India's leading e-commerce platforms, Flipkart, has signed definitive agreements to buy a majority stake at online pharmacy startup SastaSundar.

The Kolkota-based startup works with over 490 pharmacies to deliver healthcare products across the country. It also uses AI and data analytics to offer counselling services via its platform.

The Walmart-backed e-commerce site plans to name its newly acquired healthcare entity Flipkart Health+ upon transaction's close, a news report said.

"With growing awareness and focus on health heightened by the pandemic, there is a large opportunity and demand for affordable healthcare and ancillary offerings," noted Ravi Iyer, SVP and head of corporate development at Flipkart. "The synergies between the Flipkart Group and SatsaSundar.com, combined with our commitment to prioritise our customer’s needs, will help us grow and transform online healthcare in India," he added.

One of SastaSundar's founders, BL Mittal, also commented: "Through this partnership with Flipkart, we see an opportunity to further grow and reach a larger consumer base, using complementary technologies and logistics infrastructure".

Australian life sciences firm Trajan buys German lab automation maker

ASX-listed life sciences company Trajan has acquired the private business and properties of Axel Semrau, developer of laboratory automation software in Germany. 

It bought Axel Semrau, manufacturer of ​​chromatography and mass spectrometry systems, for 14.75 million euros ($16.5 million) and its real-estate business Semrau Immobilien for 2.25 million euros ($2.5 million). 

Both companies have already established a partnership for several years, according to Trajan CEO and Managing Director Stephen Tomisich. Trajan's automated workflows, which is built on Axel Semrau's CHRONOS intelligent sequencing software platform, is proof of this existing collaboration.

"We intend to further invest in CHRONOS in line with Trajan's goal to simplify and automate complex analytical workflows," Tomisich said in a press release. 

Commenting on the acquisition, Andreas Bruchmann, managing director at Axel Semrau, said: "We have known Trajan for some time and find that our goals and values are aligned. We also see the intention of ongoing investment to drive growth in our business and capabilities".

HP Malaysia unveils its latest tech support products for healthcare, other businesses

HP Malaysia has introduced its latest Engage products that assist businesses in various industries, including healthcare, to optimise their operations. 

HP Engage Go 10” is a highly durable and compact tablet that helps reduce clerical errors and ease data admission or registration process. The portable device can be installed at a patient's bedside or in an ambulance and can be used for managing patient data or as a pharmacy point of sale system. 

Meanwhile, the HP Engage Flex Mini is a platform that can be adapted for any industrial application from medical lasers to surgical robots. HP mentioned that it has been used as an OEM controller for medical devices, clinical instrumentation, patient self-check-in kiosks, and automated pharmacy systems, among others. 

"Combining sleek designs with options as a fixed integrated device or a mobile device, the Engage portfolio offers expanded capabilities needed to run a wide range of operations for [various] businesses," said HP Malaysia Managing Director Alex Tan.