IHH Healthcare invests in Belun Technology for devices to address sleep disorders

KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): Hospital operator IHH Healthcare Bhd (KL: IHH) said on Wednesday it has invested in Belun Technology Company Ltd, which makes devices that tackle sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Belun’s portable at-home sleep testing device and software is the first of its kind to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, aiming to make the detection and diagnosis of sleep apnea easier and more accessible to patients, IHH said in a statement.

The device collects extensive data, which is then compiled into a detailed clinical report for long-term preventive care, IHH said. The device has also been clinically validated in accredited sleep laboratories, the company said.

IHH invests in early-stage digital health and technology-enabled healthcare services and “by partnering with promising companies, we are expanding our capabilities and creating value across the healthcare continuum,” said Prem Kumar Nair, CEO of IHH.

Sleep problems threaten the health and quality of life for up to 45% of the world’s population, according to IHH, citing a 2008 research paper. Most sleep disorders are preventable or treatable, yet less than a third of patients seek professional help, according to another article from 2010, the company added.

“We are excited to partner with IHH to advance Belun’s vision to provide evidence-based support for medical professionals to personalize treatment, as well as health insights and alerts, through wearable medical technology and AI,” said Lydia Leung , CEO of Belun, in the same statement.

Shares in IHH Healthcare were unchanged at RM6.31, valuing the company at RM55.57 billion.