#South Korea #Seoul #American Heart Association #Sky Labs #Established Investigator Award

Sky Labs to Support American Heart Association's Clinical Research Award

On March 12, 2026, Sky Labs, a South Korean company specializing in healthcare technology, announced its commitment to back the Established Investigator Award for Clinical Hypertension by the American Heart Association (AHA). This noteworthy initiative is expected to significantly contribute to hypertension research globally, enhancing innovation in managing this common health issue.

The decision to support this prestigious award follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the AHA in September of the previous year. It marks a strategic collaboration aimed at fostering groundbreaking research and advancements in the understanding and treatment of hypertension.

The Established Investigator Award, which will be funded by Sky Labs between 2026 and 2028, is set to provide approximately $90,000 to three distinguished researchers who have achieved remarkable results in hypertension studies. This funding will cover annual salaries for selected researchers as well as any associated costs with administering the award program. However, candidates must be members of the AHA’s Scientific Council on Hypertension to qualify.

According to Sky Labs' CEO, Jack Byunghwan Lee, “We are honored to support the American Heart Association and contribute to world-class hypertension research. We will intensify clinical research to validate the effectiveness of blood pressure management solutions and continue our research and development initiatives supporting these endeavors.”

Sky Labs, established in September 2015, has been at the forefront of AI healthcare innovations, focusing on chronic disease management. The company's leading product, "CART," is the world's first medical blood pressure monitor designed as a ring. This innovative device exemplifies Sky Labs’ commitment to using cutting-edge technology to improve patient care.

The development of CART began in 2020 with the aim of monitoring atrial fibrillation using heart signals obtained from optical sensors. Since then, Sky Labs has expanded its technological capabilities significantly. In 2023, the company received medical device approval for the CART BP Pro, a ring-sized monitor crafted for 24-hour blood pressure measurements. Following this, in 2024, the CART BP Pro was recognized by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) under the existing medical procedure for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (with reimbursement code “E6547”), making it prescribable in hospitals and clinics across South Korea.

Further expanding its offerings, Sky Labs introduced the consumer-targeted "CART BP" in September 2025, a blood pressure monitoring ring available for purchase via its official online store and various other online retail channels.

As healthcare continues to evolve through technology, Sky Labs remains committed to enhancing patient outcomes and supporting clinical research that can lead to innovative solutions for managing hypertension and other chronic conditions. The collaboration with the American Heart Association is a significant step in reinforcing this commitment, aspiring to push the boundaries of current medical research and practice in hypertension.

For more information about Sky Labs and its initiatives, visit Sky Labs Website.