Koios Medical
[Closed for Investment] Koios Medical, with a valuation of $60 million, is raising funds on Wefunder. The company has developed AI-powered software for diagnosing cancer. Koios Medical is combining AI and medical imaging to disrupt radiology with its SmartUltrasound. SmartUltrasound is scalable, accurate, simple, and fast, and helps in thyroid analysis, breast analysis, and auto-generation of reports. The technology has cleared FDA and CE mark hurdles and is reimbursement-eligible. Chad McClennan founded Koios Medical in April 2011. The current crowdfunding campaign has a minimum target of $1 million and a maximum target of $5 million. The campaign proceeds will be used for automation, working capital, product expansion, talent acquisition, data acquisition, and contingency.
Investment Overview
$9,258,460 - Total
Deal Terms
Company & Team
Company
- Year Founded
- 2011
- Industry
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
- Tech Sector
- Distribution Model
- B2B
- Margin
- Low
- Capital Intensity
- High
Watch Pitch at Startup Showcase
Financials
-
Revenue
- $87,135
- Monthly Burn
- $466,865
-
Runway
- 1.7 months
- Gross Margin
- 58%
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Synopsis
Koios Medical is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with medical imaging to enhance cancer diagnosis, particularly in breast and thyroid. The company has developed SmartUltrasound™, an AI-powered software designed to revolutionize radiology by reducing benign biopsies and invasive procedures for patients while simultaneously improving early cancer detection.
Having cleared significant regulatory hurdles, SmartUltrasound is also insurance reimbursement-eligible in the U.S., which is a critical factor for adoption in healthcare settings. Koios Medical's approach to cancer diagnosis leverages the growing use-cases of AI and machine learning in healthcare to provide a more reliable and efficient diagnostic process. Having received “Breakthrough Device” designation by FDA, the company's technology is well positioned within the global cancer diagnostics market. Driven by the increasing demand for early and accurate cancer detection methods among an aging population, the diagnostics market where Koios operates is poised for substantial growth.
Based upon a concept conceived in 2012, Koios Medical was formed in 2017 by Chad McClennan along with three original engineers that remain with the company today, having successfully raised over $34 million in prior funding rounds. Koios is supported by notable venture capital investors such as New Age Ventures and Mitsui & Co. The company is currently in a growth phase, seeking to raise additional funds to further accelerate access to its offerings, expand its product line, and acquire the talent and data necessary to scale its operations. With a pre-money valuation of $60 million, Koios Medical is conducting its fundraising campaign on Wefunder, targeting promotion, working capital, product expansion, talent acquisition, data acquisition, and contingency as key areas of investment and use of proceeds.
Price
Koios Medical is engaging investors through a crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder, offering preferred equity at a pre-money valuation of $60 million, with shares priced at $4.01 each. This valuation and pricing reflect the company's significant achievements, including developing its AI-powered SmartUltrasound software, which has cleared FDA and CE mark hurdles, is reimbursement-eligible and deployed at a growing percentage of the leading cancer centers and health systems in both the U.S. and overseas.
The valuation of $60 million is ambitious, especially considering the company's annual revenue of just over $600,000. This places a high revenue multiple on the company, suggesting that investors are asked to place a substantial premium on the company's future growth prospects and ability to capture a significant share of the cancer diagnostics market. While the high valuation may raise questions about overvaluation, it's essential to consider that most health tech companies like this tend to demand high valuations given the scale of disruption potential, enormous market opportunity, and high gross margins once successful.
For investors, the exit potential for Koios Medical hinges on its ability to continue innovating, expand its product offerings, and increase market penetration. Achieving a 10X return would necessitate a future valuation of $600 million (not accounting for dilution), which, while ambitious, is not beyond the realm of possibility given the size of the addressable market, the critical importance of advances in cancer diagnostics, and the need to augment the resource constrained radiology markets around the world.
Market
The global cancer diagnostics market, in which Koios Medical operates, is witnessing rapid growth, with an anticipated value of $22.37 billion by 2024 and a growth rate of 11.8% between 2024 and 2030. This growth is driven by the escalating prevalence of cancer and the increasing demand for early and accurate diagnostic methods. As the healthcare sector prioritizes early detection and personalized treatment plans, technologies like Koios Medical's AI-powered software for diagnosing cancer are becoming increasingly significant.
The high market acceptance of Koios Medical's technology, indicated by its clearance from major regulatory bodies and eligibility for reimbursement and widescale adoption by some of the most innovative healthcare organizations around the world underscores the healthcare industry's readiness to adopt AI solutions for accurate and early cancer diagnosis.
However, the market for cancer diagnostics is characterized by high regulatory hurdles, a factor that Koios Medical has successfully navigated thus far. These regulations ensure patient safety and the efficacy of new medical technologies, but they also act as barriers to entry that can limit competition. Given the established healthcare and pharmaceutical industry competitors, Koios Medical’s ability to secure regulatory approvals highlights its competitive edge and technological validation.
Team
Koios Medical, under the leadership of CEO Chad McClennan, is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with medical imaging to enhance cancer diagnosis. McClennan, with nearly seven years of relevant industry experience has guided the company through significant milestones. He also serves as the Founder and Principal of The Customer Group, a business consulting practice. He holds an MBA from Northwestern and a BA from Middlebury College.
He is joined by CFO Graham Anderson, CFA®, who also serves as a managing director at private equity firm Kalon Partners, a private investor in healthtech businesses, and has consulted to many businesses in the consumer brands space. He holds a law degree and BA from Yale University.
Finally, Jonathan Robinson serves as product manager and has nearly 20 years of experience leading product teams in medical systems. He served at Intelerad Medical Systems as Director of Product Development for most of his career and holds a BA from Carleton University.
Differentiation
Koios Medical has positioned itself as a pioneer in the healthcare industry, specifically within the cancer diagnostics segment, by developing AI-powered software designed for cancer diagnosis. The company's SmartUltrasound technology represents a significant innovation in radiology, combining AI with medical imaging to enhance the accuracy, speed, and efficiency of thyroid and breast cancer analysis and the auto-generation of diagnostic reports. This technology promises to improve diagnostic outcomes and streamline the workflow for healthcare professionals, addressing two critical needs in cancer diagnostics.
SmartUltrasound has cleared both FDA and CE mark hurdles, which is a testament to its safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance, making it a viable choice for many healthcare providers. Moreover, being reimbursement-eligible further underscores its practicality and potential for widespread adoption, as it aligns with healthcare payment structures.
Koios Medical's focus on AI and machine learning for clinical decision support sets it apart from other companies in its space. The high barriers to entry in this field, including technological sophistication, regulatory approvals, and significant R&D investment, have positioned Koios Medical advantageously. The company's ability to secure patents for its technology further protects its innovations and provides a competitive edge.
Performance
Financially, Koios Medical has demonstrated its ability to secure funding, with total capital raised amounting to $34 million. This includes significant venture backing from Mitsui & Co, New Age Ventures and Bold Brain Ventures. This financial backing indicates strong investor confidence in the company's potential to disrupt the radiology sector with its innovative AI and medical imaging technology. Despite this, the company faces the challenge of a high monthly burn rate, reported at approximately $450,000, against a cash reserve of $771,195 as of the most recent fiscal year-end. This financial situation underscores the urgency for Koios Medical to scale its operations and increase revenue generation to ensure long-term sustainability. However, the company has recently received significant venture backing, so the burn rate is less problematic at this point in time.
Regarding revenue, Koios Medical reported 2023 annual earnings of $335,214. While this figure demonstrates the company's ability to monetize its products, the revenue scale is modest relative to its valuation and the capital raised. This suggests that while Koios Medical has successfully brought its product to market and begun to generate sales, there is significant room for growth in market penetration and revenue expansion.
In summary, Koios Medical stands at a critical juncture. The company has developed a technologically advanced product that addresses a significant need in the cancer diagnostics market. However, Koios Medical must navigate its financial challenges, scale its user base, and significantly increase its revenue to transition from a pre-profit to a profitable stage. The success of these efforts will be crucial in determining the company's ability to achieve long-term growth and sustainability.
Risk
Koios Medical, despite having groundbreaking AI-powered software for diagnosing cancer, faces several risks that potential investors must consider. Firstly, the company's significant reliance on technology in the highly regulated healthcare industry introduces regulatory risk. While the technology has cleared FDA and CE mark and several other international regulatory hurdles, future regulatory changes or additional compliance requirements could impact operations and profitability.
Additionally, Koios Medical operates in a critical segment of cancer diagnostics, where diagnostic accuracy and reliability are paramount. Given the high stakes in medical diagnosis, any shortcomings or inaccuracies in the software could not only harm the company's reputation but also lead to legal issues.
Moreover, scaling sales and distribution in a competitive healthcare market can be challenging. Despite partnerships, establishing a solid market presence and convincing healthcare providers to adopt a new technology requires significant effort and resources, particularly in a very established industry like medical imaging for cancer diagnostics.
Bullish Outlook
Koios Medical stands out as a pioneering company within the healthcare and medical device and imaging sector, particularly in the cancer diagnostics market. The company's development and subsequent FDA and CE mark clearances of its AI-powered SmartUltrasound technology represent significant milestones in integrating artificial intelligence with medical imaging. This breakthrough offers a scalable, accurate, simple, and fast approach to diagnosing critical illnesses such as thyroid and breast cancer. It has the added benefit of being reimbursement-eligible, which is critical for widespread adoption in healthcare systems.
The firm's ability to secure partnerships with major players like GE Healthcare and establish a user base for its technology speaks volumes about its market acceptance and potential for growth. With a market set to expand rapidly, Koios Medical is well-positioned to capitalize on the global shift towards more efficient and accurate diagnostic solutions in cancer care. The company's focus on thyroid and breast analysis, coupled with the auto-generation of reports, addresses a significant need within the sector for more efficient workflow solutions and supports the potential for market expansion and increased adoption rates.
Backed by strategic investors such as Mitsui & Co, Koios Medical has garnered financial support, business acumen, and strategic alliances for further development and market penetration. This level of support and the company's robust IP portfolio underscores its innovative capacity and potential for sustained growth.
Moreover, the high barriers to entry in this space and the company's already established regulatory approvals set Koios Medical apart from potential competitors. These factors combined with a robust and proprietary training dataset create a moat around the business, protecting its innovative products and market position. While the company is in a pre-profit phase and faces potential challenges in scaling revenue, its strategic foundations and the critical nature of its technology in improving cancer diagnosis efficiency and accuracy present a compelling growth narrative.
Bearish Outlook
Koios Medical, while pioneering in its development of AI-powered software for diagnosing cancer, presents a bearish outlook based on several financial and market-related challenges. Despite promising technological advancements and FDA clearance, the company is grappling with significant hurdles that have impacted its immediate growth prospects.
Despite clearing regulatory hurdles such as FDA and CE mark approvals, Koios Medical's struggle to scale revenue significantly is another potential concern although commercializing through the period impacted by Covid was a challenge for all solution providers, new and entrenched. The healthcare and medical devices and imaging industry, particularly the segment focused on cancer diagnostics, is intensely competitive and highly regulated. Koios Medical has a small sales team relative to companies that have scaled quickly in the diagnostics space. Achieving market penetration and adoption by healthcare providers requires technological innovation, effective marketing, robust sales strategies, and strong partnerships. The company's current revenue figures suggest potential challenges in these areas, which could impede growth.
Executive Summary
Koios Medical is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) with medical imaging to enhance cancer diagnosis. The company's flagship product, SmartUltrasound, leverages AI to provide clinical decision support for physicians and technologists in thyroid and breast cancer diagnosis. This innovative approach to radiology is not only scalable and fast but also boasts Breakthrough Device designation, multiple FDA approvals and CE mark certification combined with CAT III reimbursement, making it a significant disruptor in the healthcare and medical device and imaging industry.
Despite being in the pre-profit phase, Koios Medical has demonstrated potential through its successful development and regulatory clearance of SmartUltrasound. The technology's ability to automate analysis, improve accuracy, and expedite reporting positions it as a valuable tool in the cancer diagnostics market. With an addressable market set to expand globally by 2024, the company's growth prospects appear robust, underscored by its successful raise of over $34 million in prior funding rounds.
However, Koios Medical faces challenges typical of high-growth ventures in the healthcare sector. With a monthly burn rate of approximately $450,000 and a net loss of nearly $5.6 million in the most recent fiscal year, the company's financial sustainability is contingent upon its ability to scale revenue, manage operating costs effectively, and raise more capital.
With established patents and partnerships, Koios Medical is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for AI-powered diagnostic solutions. Nonetheless, investors should consider the high capital intensity and competitive landscape of the healthcare technology market when evaluating the investment opportunity presented by Koios Medical.
Why We Invested
After an in-depth analysis of Koios Medical, Kingscrowd Capital has decided to invest $20,000 in the company’s current Wefunder round.
There are several reasons we are excited about Koios Medical. Firstly, the issue of false-positive breast biopsies is an incredibly traumatic experience for patients and is far too common in today’s medical landscape. Even more frightening is that there are over 130,000 missed breast cancer diagnoses per year. Today, diagnosing breast and thyroid cancer through ultrasound images is a challenging task, often not performed as well or efficiently as it should be considering available technology. Is essentially complete guesswork from doctors.
Koios is a first-mover to incorporate Artificial Intelligence into the cancer diagnosis process. Koios has a massive database (2M+) of images, many confirmed cancer cases. Clinicians can now compare new patient images against this database to provide far more accurate diagnoses for cancer patients. This is a massive step forward for the medical community, which is notoriously resistant to novel technologies. With no competitors, Koios is already in 500+ hospitals and outpatient clinics like Mount Sinai, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Yale Hospital.
Overall, we are very excited about Koios Medical’s growth prospects and particularly impressed with its execution in gaining considerable traction with some of the world's most well-known distributors. At its current valuation, we believe this is a great entry point for KC Capital, and we are excited to join Koios Medical on its journey to revolutionizing cancer diagnoses with artificial intelligence.
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Company Funding & Growth
Funding history
- Total Prior Capital Raised
- $20,670,428
- VC Backed?
- Yes
Close Date | Platform | Valuation | Total Raised | Security Type | Status | Reg Type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11/12/2024 | Wefunder | $60,000,000 | $9,258,460 | Equity - Preferred | Funded | RegCF / RegD 506(c) |