Korean Startup Kai Health Innovates with AI in Fertility Treatment

In the field of assisted reproductive technology, Clinical Embryologist A plays a vital role in selecting the best sperm, eggs, and embryos for pregnancy. Traditionally, this selection process relies solely on visual assessment. However, due to the complex nature of embryo patterns, A sought assistance from AI. By taking a photo of the embryo and uploading it to a computer, the AI quickly evaluates its potential for successful pregnancy. Although this AI technology has not yet been approved for commercial use in Korea, it showcases the potential impact of innovation in the field.

In in-vitro fertilization (IVF), around 10 eggs are collected and fertilized with sperm, resulting in 5-10 embryos. These embryos are then evaluated visually by medical personnel and clinical embryologists to select the most viable ones for implantation. However, discrepancies in judgment can arise due to the diverse patterns of embryos.

Imagine a scenario where AI can accurately identify embryos with a higher chance of leading to pregnancy, assisting medical staff in their selection process. This concept is what drives South Korean startup Kai Health’s development of an AI solution for embryo analysis. Their program, Vita Embryo, helps identify embryos with better pregnancy prospects, serving as a valuable tool for medical staff in decision-making.

Lee Hye-jun, CEO of Kai Health, explained that her motivation for developing this technology was to make it easier for infertile couples to have children. She recognized the need to improve objectivity and accuracy in embryo selection, which can vary depending on the medical staff involved.

Lee, a former obstetrician and gynecologist at Seoul National University Hospital, pursued an MBA at Northwestern University before venturing into entrepreneurship. With her background in reproductive medicine, she understands the importance of accurate embryo selection.

Kai Health has built a comprehensive database of embryo data from various medical centers in Korea and abroad. This database enables their AI to distinguish between embryos with different pregnancy probabilities, improving its accuracy over time. The shift from human visual assessment to AI algorithms enhances the precision of embryo selection.

Established in October 2021, Kai Health has received seed investments from Smilegate Investment and Translink Investment in 2022, totaling $768,500 (1 billion won). Their embryo analysis AI solution has gained recognition for its potential to revolutionize fertility treatment.