Samsung Healthcare acquires a start-up spun off from École Polytechnique’s research

The result of mathematical research carried out at the Centre for Applied Mathematics (CMAP*) in collaboration with the Hôpital Necker-Enfants malades, Sonio uses artificial intelligence to improve the detection of congenital anomalies and rare diseases during fetal ultrasound scans. Its acquisition by the medical subsidiary of Korean giant Samsung has just been finalized.

While one in two congenital anomalies remains undetected using traditional fetal ultrasound methods, Sonio has developed a solution that supports the practitioner in carrying out antenatal diagnosis in real time, or after the examination to remove any doubt.

Co-founded by Rémi Besson (D2016), Erwann Le Pennec (D1998, professor at École Polytechnique) and Cécile Brosset (HEC), Sonio helps practitioners to identify and characterize potential anomalies among the nearly 300 syndromes and more than 700 prenatal signs that may suggest a malformation or rare disease.

The French Ministry of the Economy and Finance has approved the acquisition of Sonio, announced last May, in a purchase agreement worth 85 million euros.

Sonio had raised 13 million euros in July 2023 from the European Innovation Council Accelerator, which provides financial support for the development of European deeptechs, and from Elaia OneRagtime funds to conquer the American market.

Sonio intends to work with Samsung to expand beyond France. The medtech is expected to remain based in France to develop products and services compatible with all ultrasound equipment manufacturers.

“By joining the Samsung Healthcare ecosystem, Sonio is accelerating its development and confirming the innovative nature of its Artificial Intelligence solutions dedicated to securing pregnancy monitoring and optimizing prenatal diagnosis,” says the start-up on its website. 

“Thanks to this first partnership with an industrial company, Sonio aims to accelerate the achievement of its objectives, in particular that of optimizing the care of pregnant women by securing prenatal screening and diagnosis”, it adds.

*CMAP : a joint research unit CNRS, École Polytechnique – Institut Polytechnique de Paris