Smart119 Corporation (Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, CEO: Taka-aki Nakada), a medical - IT startup company originating from Chiba University, today announced that it has raised a total of 306.75 million yen in funding in order to strengthen its business, from the following companies: Nissay Capital Corporation (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Tetsuya Adachi), Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital Co. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Juichi Ishigami), Sony Innovation Fund (A corporate venture capital company established by Sony Group Corporation), PKSHA SPARX Algorithm 1 Investment Limited Partnership (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Operator: PKSHA Technology Capital LLC / SPARX AI & Technologies Investment Co. (Location: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Operator: PKSHA Technology Capital LLC / Sparks AI & Technologies Investment Co..)
◆Background and purpose of the additional fund raise
Smart119 Inc. is a start-up from Chiba University School of Medicine, established by an active emergency intensive care physician. In order to "change the current '119'", we are developing and operating SaaS-type solutions to solve problems in acute care, such as "Smart119", an emergency medical support system using voice recognition and AI, "ACES", a system for requesting doctors to gather in an emergency, and "Smart:DR", a system for initial hospital response in a disaster.
"Smart119" has been in full-scale operation at the Chiba City Fire Department since July 2020. "Smart:DR" and other solutions for hospitals have been introduced at the Osaka Acute and General Hospital, the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, the Rinku General Medical Center, Shimane University Hospital, and Chiba University Hospital.
With this fund raise, the company will accelerate its research and development of predictive diagnostic algorithms in the acute care field, with the AI knowledge of PKSHA Technology. In addition, the company will strengthen the sales activities to local governments and medical institutions by utilizing the networks of the Nippon Life and MSI groups.
◆Comments from each investment company
●Tomoyuki Kasai (Investment Department Chief Capitalist of Nissay Capital Corporation)
"We have been supporting Dr. Nakada from the seed financing stage because we sympathize with his aspiration to improve emergency medicine and increase the number of lives that can be saved through the power of ICT. We will continue to develop services that will help solve the problems faced by the clinical field, and we will continue to work together to achieve our goal of establishing a future medical care system in which everyone (residents and medical professionals) can feel secure."
● Hiroaki Hirai（Investment Development Partner of Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital Co.）
"In recent years, the number of emergency calls has been increasing rapidly, and the time it takes to arrive at the scene and be admitted to the hospital has been delayed, resulting in various social issues in the field of emergency medicine. In order to save as many emergency patients as possible and to help the many people who support emergency medical care, I have great expectations for the "Smart119 Emergency Medical Information Service," in which Representative Dr. Nakada, who is an active emergency intensive care physician, will work to solve problems using IT and AI, and I hope that we can help with its social implementation. I look forward to helping implement it in society."
●Gen Tsuchikawa (Chief Investment Manager, Sony Innovation Fund)
"We decided to invest in Smart119 because we sympathize with the mission of Smart119, led by Dr. Nakata, to solve issues in emergency and intensive care using IT and AI. We would like to support Smart119's efforts through the Sony Group's technologies and knowledge, including image sensors."
●Hideyuki Ebihara (Managing Partner of PKSHA SPARX Algorithm 1 Investment Limited Partnership)
"Intelligent technology (algorithms) will not only update our businesses, but the world by solving social problems in various fields. "SMART119 is a highly socially conscious startup company that is trying to solve social issues in the field of emergency medicine with technology. "SMART119 is a highly socially conscious startup company that is trying to solve social issues in the field of emergency medicine with technology. We hope to contribute to the social implementation of intelligent technology through our support for SMART119, which is a group of highly skilled members with high ambitions who are trying to present a new form of emergency and medical care to society."
◆Comments from Taka-aki Nakada, President of Smart119 Inc.
I would like to thank the four companies for their investment.
For more than 20 years, as an active doctor of emergency and intensive care, I have been working hard to improve my knowledge and skills to provide better medical care to the patients in front of me, and I have been on the frontline, fulfilling my role. At the same time, as a medical researcher, I have promoted medical research aimed at improving the prognosis of future patients and have published many papers.
In addition, during the past five years, I have been working on Smart119 Inc. as a medical start-up company originating from Chiba University, based on the belief that it is necessary to implement research results in society in order to return these experiences and achievements to society more effectively.
Smart119 Inc. will continue to conduct advanced research, develop solutions to solve problems in the field, and strive to make further contributions to society.
With this additional investment, we have gained a foundation that will enable us, as a business entity, to solidify our business continuity. Our staff will work as one to deliver future medical care that everyone can rely on, utilizing cutting-edge technology, and meet the expectations of our customers and shareholders.
【Outline of Smart119 Inc.】
(1) Company name: Smart119 Inc.
(2) Location: 7F, Bldg. 2, Chiba Chuo Twin Building, 2-5-1 Chuo, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba
(3) Representative: Taka-aki Nakada, Representative Director
(4) Business description:
-Development and operation of "Smart119," an emergency medical support system that utilizes voice recognition and AI
-Development and operation of ACES, a system for requesting doctors to gather in an emergency
-Development and operation of "Smart:DR (Smart Disaster Response)," a system for initial hospital response in times of disaster
(5) Capital and capital reserve: 398,336,350 yen
(6) Date of establishment: May 2018
【Underwriters】
◆Nissay Capital Corporation
(1) Company name: Nissay Capital Corporation NISSAY CAPITAL CO.,LTD.
(2) Location Tokyo Head Office 4F Yusen Building, 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
(3) Representative: Tetsuya Adachi, President and Representative Director
(4) Business description: Investment and support of venture companies
(5) Capital and capital reserve: 3 billion yen
(6) Date of establishment: April 1991
◆Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital Co.
(1) Company name: Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Capital Co.
(2) Location: Kyobashi TD Building 4F, 1-2-5 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0031, Japan
(3) Representative: Juichi Ishigami, President and Representative Director
(4) Description of business: Investment in venture companies / Comprehensive venture support from the start-up stage
Formation, operation and management of investment partnerships
(5) Capital and capital reserve: 1 billion yen
(6) Date of establishment: December 1990
◆Sony Innovation Fund
A corporate venture capital company established by Sony Group Corporation (formerly Sony Corporation) in 2016. It promotes global collaborations with outstanding external researchers and startups in AI, robotics, and other business areas that Sony will focus on in the future. It also aims to create a more open ecosystem by supporting the business growth of its investees using Sony group resources.
Sony Innovation Fund URL: https://www.sonyinnovationfund.com/
Sony Group Corporation URL : https://www.sony.com
◆PKSHA Technology Capital / Sparks AI & Technologies Investment
(1) Name: PKSHA SPARX Algorithm 1 Investment Limited Partnership
(2) Location: Minato Ward, Tokyo
(3) Operator: PKSHA Technology Capital LLC / Sparx AI & Technologies Investment Co.
(4) Business description: Investment in and support for venture companies
(5) Management scale: 5.9 billion yen
(6) Date of establishment: February 2019
【History of Smart119 Inc.】
2016.11 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) Research and Development Project "Research and Development of Medical Equipment and Systems to Realize Future Medical Care
The Smart119 Project is a project to develop technology that enables injured and sick people to receive correct medical care quickly in emergency situations.
Taka-aki Nakada (Principal Investigator) and Yasuo Yamao (Co-Investigator) were selected for "Smart119 Project" (about 300 million yen)
2018.05 Established a joint-stock company to implement Smart119.
2018.11 Won the Venture Cup CHIBA Grand Prix
2018.12 Implemented ACES at International Medical Center Hospital
2019.01 Won CHIBA Business Contest Chiba Entrepreneur Excellence Award, ITEC Management Mentor Club Award, and bayfm Award
2019.02 Published a paper on the effectiveness of Smart:DR (Smart Disaster Response)
Am J Emerg Med. 2019;37:351-355.
2019.02 Venture Club Chiba Business Plan Presentation Grand Prize Winner
2019.03 Smart:DR (Smart Disaster Response) new function announcement
2019.04 Smart:DR (Smart Disaster Response) new function development started
2019.09 ACES implemented at Kansai Medical University Hospital
2019.10 Selected for AMED's "Advanced Medical Devices and Systems Technology Development Project (Fundamental Technology Development Project)
(Smart119, Inc., Taka-aki Nakada as a representative researcher) Assigned organization: Chiba University
2019.11 Patent application for Smart:DR (Smart Disaster Response) new function
2019.11 Commendation for outstanding industrial technology in nine prefectures and cities
Jul. 2017 Smart:DR was granted a patent (Patent No. 6166114)
2020.07 Smart119 installed in Chiba City Fire Department
2020.12 Smart ACES is released
2020.12 Added "Staff Health Management Function" to Smart:DR
2021.03 Taka-aki Nakada, President and CEO, receives the Himawari Venture Development Fund Award at the 25th Chiba Prefecture Outstanding Corporate Executive Awards
Received the Grand Prize in the Chiba Prefecture Acceleration Program
2021.03 Release of "Japanese Sepsis Treatment Guidelines 2020" application
2021.04 Smart119 received a patent (Patent No.: 6875734)
◆Smart119.Inc
Phone： 043-312-7471
Mail： info@smart119.biz
URL： https://smart119.biz
Click here to download the manga.
https://smart119.biz/ manga/000369.html
◆Theme
"Precautions after vaccination"
◆Commentator
Taka-aki Nakada
Representative Director, Smart119 Inc.
Professor, Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine
https://twitter.com/Nakada119
◆Point 1: Three key points of vaccines
・Preventing from becoming severely ill
・There is a possibility of getting infected even after vaccination
・Efficacy of the vaccine against new mutations and transmission from vaccines to others is unknown
◆Point 2: Continue to take measures to prevent infection even after vaccination.
・Even after vaccination, infection control measures should be taken according to the rules and regulations of the community, workplace, and facilities visited
・Basically, continue with infection control measures as usual.
・If there are infected people around you, monitor your own health condition and be aware of the appearance of symptoms
◆Point 3: What does "vaccination completion" mean?
・Two-dose vaccine
Pfizer/Moderna: 2 weeks after the second vaccination
・Single-dose vaccines
Johnson & Johnson*: 2 weeks after vaccination
＊: Vaccines manufactured by Johnson & Johnson are not approved in Japan (as of July 2021).
◆Point 4: Check the vaccine information even after vaccination
・Whether additional vaccination (3rd dose) is needed
・Duration of immunity
・Efficacy against mutated strains
https://smart119.biz/manga/000365.html
"Tell me about COVID-19 Mutant strain (N501Y)
◆Commentator
Taka-aki Nakada
Representative Director, Smart119 Inc.
Professor, Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine
Toshifumi Taniguchi
Lecturer, Department of Infectious Diseases, Chiba University Hospital
◆Point 1: What is the mutant strain "N501Y"?
・One of the mutations of COVID-19
・The 501st domain of the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein of the virus is substituted from "N: asparagine" to "Y: tyrosine".
◆ Point 2: Mutant strains differ from area to area
・The following is a list of the mutant strains that have been identified (name: reading, location, strain name)
α: Alpha / UK / B.1.1.7
β: Beta / South Africa / B1.351
γ: Gamma / Returnee from Brazil / P.11
δ: Delta / India / B1.617
・The α, β, and γ strains have the same mutations as N501Y, but they also have different mutations, so they are considered to be three different strains.
・The δ strain has a different mutation from the N501Y
◆Point 3: Differences from conventional strains
Infectivity (transmissibility)
Strains α, β, and γ with the N501Y mutation have increased infectivity (transmissibility).
・Tendency of becoming severely ill
The alpha strain is associated with an increased risk of death compared to the other three strains.
・Vaccine efficacy
The vaccine approved in Japan is also effective against mutated viruses.
＊ According to the results of a study conducted in March 2021.
◆Point 4: Origin of virus mutations and why other types of mutations occur in a short period of time
・Origin of mutations
During viral replication, the structure of the virus changes little by little. This is not a trend limited to new coronaviruses, but occurs in all viruses.
・Background of multiple mutations evolving in a short period of time
In proportion to the spread of the epidemic, the replication of the virus increases. This increases the opportunity for mutation.
◆Point 5: New things to be aware of
The infection route is thought to be the same as before. Continue to take the same infection control measures as in the past.
1) Hand washing
2) Wearing masks
3) Cough etiquette
4) Maintain social distance
5) Avoid crowded and closed spaces
6) Stay at home if you are not feeling well
Smart119 was featured in Nomura Healthcare Support & Advisory's Healthcare Note
Smart119 was featured in the July 26, 2021 issue of Nomura Healthcare Support & Advisory's Healthcare Notes in the article, "How we started our business from the emergency medical field."
https://www.nomuraholdings.com/nhs-a/services/publication/healthcare.html
Smart119 was introduced in an article titled "Overview and Significance of the 'Emergency Patient Acceptance Enhancement Service' and 'Emergency Medical Information Service' Utilizing Leading-Edge ICT" in the special feature "Advanced IT to Improve the Quality of Emergency Services."