#Japan #diabetes #Second Heart #Steplife #Nagaokakyo, Kyoto

Second Heart's Initiative Against Diabetes-Related Foot Complications

Second Heart, a health-tech startup based in Nagaokakyo, Kyoto, is making headlines as it announces a recent funding acquisition to amplify its mission: achieving a society where no diabetic amputations occur. The company secured investment from the Germination Fund No. 1, managed by Livness Capital, which will significantly strengthen its diabetes foot care support platform, Steplife.

Diabetes is a growing epidemic globally, especially in Southeast Asia, where the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) predicts that the number of patients will rise to an alarming 93 million in 2024. Fast forward to 2050, this figure could reach a staggering 142 million. Particularly concerning are diabetes-related foot problems, which not only diminish the patients' quality of life but also impose a heavy economic burden on healthcare systems due to prolonged treatment.

Since its inception, Second Heart has operated under the guiding mission of protecting diabetic patients' feet and working towards zero amputations. Steplife represents an innovative cloud platform enabling patients and healthcare providers to share insights about foot conditions and promptly identify signs of severe complications.

The current funding will pave the way for Second Heart to boost its services in ASEAN nations, especially Malaysia, where there is a growing emphasis on public health efforts. The country's Social Security Organization (SOCSO) acknowledges the loss of productivity due to diabetes as a critical social issue, showcasing just how timely and essential Second Heart's preventative digital health solutions are.

Objectives Enabled by New Funding

1. Conducting Proof of Concept (PoC) Studies in Malaysia

One of the initial goals upon receiving this funding is to collaborate with local healthcare institutions and government agencies to demonstrate that Steplife can effectively encourage behavioral changes among patients. The aim is to substantiate the clinical and economic value of the platform while adhering to international guidelines established by the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF).

2. Accelerating Product Development for the ASEAN Market

To ensure that Steplife meets the specific needs of local healthcare environments, Second Heart will invest in enhancing its functions and improving accuracy, ensuring it resonates with cultural considerations in the ASEAN region.

3. Strengthening Global Business Development Framework

Second Heart is keen on constructing a robust operational structure focused on global business expansion. This includes recruiting talent to lead overseas ventures and cultivating partnerships with regional stakeholders.

The fundamental ethos behind this initiative is shared not only by Second Heart's CEO, Yukihiro Ishida, but also by Livness Capital’s President, Masahiro Ikegami. Ishida emphasizes that when it comes to diabetic foot complications, timely intervention is key. He believes Steplife provides essential capabilities that empower healthcare professionals to catch early signs before serious complications arise, making it an indispensable tool for community healthcare collaboration.

Ikegami echoes this sentiment, having recognized Ishida's dedication to addressing the pressing concerns of the medical community, particularly through their innovative developments like Steplife. He notes that the vision of making diabetic foot care a standard practice aligns seamlessly with Livness Group’s mission to tackle deep-seated social issues: creating a future where people can actively participate in society without the hindrance of diabetes-related complications.

Second Heart aims to shift away from seeing diabetes merely as an individual responsibility towards recognizing it as a societal challenge. By transforming the current reactive healthcare system into a proactive one focused on prevention, the startup aspires to construct a framework in ASEAN that helps countless individuals continue to walk on their own feet for life.

This funding not only opens new avenues for growth and innovation for Second Heart but represents a step forward in the fight against diabetes-related complications across regions that truly need it. As the startup actively embarks on this journey, its commitment to creating meaningful healthcare solutions remains steadfast.

For more information about Second Heart and its initiatives, you can visit their website at Second Heart.