Telehealth services have become increasingly popular during the pandemic, with usage increasing 38-fold since January 2020, per a report by McKinsey . devices is being built by a wave of firms to increase what can be observed and treated in a telehealth setting, but companies creating the communications layer between patients and clinicians have received most of the focus.
Bisu , a healthcare business with its headquarters in Tokyo that has developed a lab-grade testing gadget that can be used at home for diagnostics that translate into actionable health data, has raised $3.2 million. This is one of the most recent developments. The seed investment will be utilized to develop Bisu Body Coach, a portable home health lab that offers individualized dietary and lifestyle guidance through quick, precise urine and saliva testing. With the seed money, it has now raised a total of $4.3 million.
QUAD led the most recent round of fundraising, which also included ASICS Ventures Corporation , 15th Rock Ventures, Pacifico Investments, and SOSV. As a key partner, ASICS wants to work with Bisu on initiatives relating to health and fitness services. According to co-founder and CEO Daniel Maggs, Bisu is in talks for new partnerships with businesses in the bathroom, pet care, and fitness industries.
After being established in 2015, Bisu began operations in 2017 and entered the HAX accelerator program .
Disposable test sticks and a reader that connects to a smartphone app are used by Bisu Body Coach. Using microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” technology, the disposable test sticks allow users to measure a variety of biomarkers in under two minutes.
Spectrometry and real-time end-to-end measurement are used in the microfluidic “lab-on-a-chip” technology to solve the timing problem with conventional test strips’ measurement. Additionally, a sample such as blood, urine, saliva, or perspiration is handled to carry out a chemical or biological reaction inside a small channel.
In response to a question regarding how it differs from other companies using the lab-on-a-chip technology, Bisu stated that it concentrates on the simultaneous testing of numerous biomarkers that allow the user to comprehend and make a positive change to their diet and lifestyle without visiting a doctor. Others frequently identify certain biomarkers with high significance, such as COVID-19 and influenza, which may direct the user to consult a doctor.
Indicators of vital nutrients, including hydration, minerals, vitamins, pH, uric acid, and ketones, are provided by Bisu’s app. Bisu Body Coach offers tailored advice based on users’ objectives, preferences, activity, sleep, and weight. Bisu anticipates the release of a pet health test kit for cats and dogs and aims to add zinc and vitamin B measures in the future.
The U.S. and the European Union are now beta testing Bisu Body Coach. According to Maggs, the company plans to begin selling it in these areas in 2022, and it is also creating the groundwork to penetrate Asian markets like Japan and Korea in 2023.
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