Google’s entry into the healthcare market was cemented with its acquirement of health monitoring Seattle startup Senosis Health for $3.2 billion in the summer of 2017 with an eye toward building its digital health capabilities. According to reports, Senosis makes products for monitoring hemoglobin counts, lung function, newborn jaundice and osteoporosis. Its applications — SpiroSmart, SpiroCall, HemaApp and OsteoApp — were under FDA review when it was sold. Those products are subject to nonexclusive licenses, meaning companies other than Nest can license the technology.
Even under secrecy its has been revealed by CNBC Nest was exploring a product line for to help the elderly live independently longer via the health tracking platform. Several other companies, especially major tech brands are also moving into health technology, including Apple who have joined the ranks of entering the digital healthcare market. According to major new sources, Amazon is also in the startup stages of its own health project, in conjunction with Warren Buffet and New York-based bank JPMorgan Chase, eyeing cost-reduction while improving patient care with the aid of technology.
According to Senosis co-founder Shwetak Patel, “Nest seems to be particularly sensitive in this situation since they don’t want people to know they are getting into a whole new line of business, digital health, until they are ready to publicly announce.” – according to news sources.
