Update below A healthcare startup that’s interested in “accelerating medical advancement by bringing 21st century technology into living systems research,” has raised $8.8 million from nine investors, according to a Form D filing on the SEC’s website. Mousera, which is about 1.5 years old, raised a little more than $1 million in securities last month.
The founders are Joe Betts-Lacroix and Timothy Robertson. Betts-Lacroix, the chief technology officer, has a background steeped in biotechnology, electronics and biochemistry. He is the executive director of a community, Health Extension.co, which has pushed for more investment in life science companies developing therapies to prevent age-related disease.
Update In a short phone interview with MedCity News Robertson, the CEO, said the company is interested in updating pre-clinical research and development for the pharmaceutical industry using technologies such as big data, algorithms and sensors so drugs can be discovered faster. He said the company wants to industrialize certain research processes that are [currently] highly manual to make them more efficient and higher quality.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Robertson cited the statistic that only 8 percent of drugs in human trials get approved. “There are huge financial implications for that.”
He added that its investors are a mix of institutional and angel investors. Altogether, it has raised about $10 million to date, according to Robertson
Robertson was formerly vice president of product applications at Proteus Digital Health, although he continues to serve as an adviser to the company. His responsibilities included management of alliances with global pharmaceutical companies, core technology coordination, and software development, according to Mousera’s website. Proteus developed a smart pill that secured FDA clearance. After it is swallowed, stomach juices activate an energy source. The embedded sensor sends signals to a skin patch electrode which wirelessly transmits information such as vital signs, body position and verification of medication ingestion.
Although he declined to go into more detail about the company, Robertson said it was planning to release some information about what it’s up to early next year.
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
Update: This story has been updated following a phone interview with CEO Tim Robertson
