Kakao Healthcare, Indonesian University to collaborate on AI-based blood sugar management solution

Kakao Healthcare said it signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Rumah Sakit Universitas Indonesia (RSUI) to explore localization and dissemination strategies for Kakao's AI-driven blood sugar management solution, PASTA.

Launched in February 2024, PASTA is an AI-based smart blood sugar management solution. It leverages continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to provide real-time blood sugar readings, which are analyzed alongside user-inputted data on diet, exercise, and sleep.

The solution then recommends appropriate lifestyle habits. PASTA is a second-class software medical device certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in November 2023.

This partnership stems from the momentum created by the Korea-ASEAN Summit and the subsequent Korea-Indonesia-ASEAN AI Workshop held in September of last year.

During the AI workshop, the Ministry of Science and ICT delivered a keynote on the "Digital Cooperation Plan," committing to supporting digital wellness products in ASEAN countries and facilitating the overseas expansion of Korea's advanced AI solutions.

Afterward, Kakao Healthcare engaged in ongoing discussions with the Indonesian government, hospitals, and private enterprises, as well as the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA).

Through this agreement, Kakao Healthcare plans to localize the PASTA solution and enhance some AI engines using local databases. Also, RSUI will conduct a pilot test of PASTA involving both physicians and patients.

"This agreement is significant as it establishes a foothold for PASTA in the Indonesian market through collaboration with a leading hospital," Kakao Healthcare CEO Hwang Hee said. "We are grateful to the Ministry of Science and ICT for their proactive support in identifying pilot candidates."

The company will work diligently with local hospitals to achieve positive results swiftly, Hwang added.