Samsung Healthcare Acquires Ultrasound AI Company Sonio SAS

The first ultrasound image was captured in Glasgow in 1958, by Scottish physician Ian Donald and his team. The father of ultrasound used his expertise in radar and sonar technology from his time in the Royal Air Force to peer inside the human body and observe the growth of a foetus. Results were published in a paper for The Lancet, titled ‘The investigation of abdominal masses by pulsed ultrasound’.

Now, foetal ultrasounds are used to support women through healthy pregnancies, for example, in identifying twins or confirming a miscarriage. 

Now Sonio, is developing a solution to support practitioners in the conduct of foetal ultrasound and antenatal diagnosis, using mathematical research conducted at the Centre for Applied Mathematics (CMAP). 

Automated with the assistance of AI, Sonio’s tool can detect anomalies in real time. The company has just been acquired by the medical subsidiary of Samsung. 

AI technology can advance pregnancy monitoring

Samsung was founded in 1938 by Lee Byung-chul, initially as a trading company. Since then, Samsung has undergone remarkable transformation, diversifying into areas like food processing, textiles, insurance, securities and retail. Samsung's first electronic product, a black-and-white television, hit shelves in the 1970s.

Samsung is dominant in the smartphone market with its Galaxy series. The company's product range extends beyond smartphones to include tablets, televisions, home appliances like refrigerators and washing machines and wearable technology. Samsung is also a key player in the semiconductor industry, manufacturing memory chips and integrated circuits, underpinning its status as a technological behemoth.

Sonio’s mission is to perform responsibly as a leading, global company and follows a business philosophy of devoting its talent and technology to creating superior products and services that contribute to a better global society.

Sonio was established in 2020 to strengthen women and children’s health with the latest medical advancements. Supported by early investors Elaia, BpiFrance, OneRagtime, Cross Border Impact Ventures and the EIC Fund, Sonio has developed workflow solutions powered by AI for obstetrics and gynaecology.

By joining the Samsung Healthcare ecosystem, Sonio is advancing its software development and AI solutions, to secure safer and more accurate pregnancy monitoring.

Sonio plans to expand with Samsung beyond France, but it will remain based there to develop products and services compatible with all ultrasound equipment manufacturers.

Samsung Medison and Sonio join forces to uplift maternal care with AI-driven ultrasound solutions

In September 2024, the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance gave its official approval for the acquisition of 100% of shares of Sonio by Samsung. 

The deal closed following the company’s second wave of FDA clearance.

Samsung Medison and Sonio both shared that they were excited to make significant strides in the maternal care industry. 

“Sonio plans to continue to advance medical reporting technology and diagnostic software globally, including for underserved areas in healthcare,” said Cécile Brosset, CEO and Co-Founder at Sonio.

“With the workforce shortages affecting the global healthcare industry, the real-time ultrasound exam guidance and quality assurance developed by Sonio is becoming more relevant to ensure high quality care,” shared Kyu Tae Yoo, CEO and Co-Founder at Samsung Medison. “We look forward to combining Sonio’s and Samsung’s advanced engineering to enhance our ultrasound roadmap and introduce next generation AI technologies to the market. We will focus on innovations designed to enhance exam quality, efficiency, and ultimately improve patient care.”

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