Neko Health: Spotify founder now wants to scan bodies

It only takes a few minutes for Neko to scan millions of data points on a body. These are evaluated using artificial intelligence (AI) and the person who owns this body discusses the diagnosis and all findings with a doctor. Cost: 2750 Swedish kronor – which is around 240 euros. However, you have to fly to Stockholm or London for the body scan. There is a long waiting list. And then there is the very sensitive data that is collected. The kind of thing you do for a health check to optimize your lifestyle even more.

Neko Health has just received 260 million US dollars in a financing round, at a valuation of 1.8 billion US dollars, as reported by TechCrunch magazine. This will now be used to target the US market. Demand is particularly high there, and preventive healthcare is also particularly important in a market where the healthcare system is expensive. Neko Health was founded by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, among others. He also recently invested in the Munich-based start-up Helsing – whose software is designed to help the military on the battlefield thanks to AI.

Neko performs a standard health check

For example, moles and other marks on the skin are examined, as well as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol and many other parameters that may indicate cardiac arrhythmia or other illnesses. In principle, this is also checked regularly by the family doctor. However, Neko promises to be able to use more clues. Of course, this is only possible with additional financial resources.

“Regular inspections are mandatory for cars on our roads, but in our healthcare system we often wait until our bodies are broken before we do anything,” says the website. The body should therefore be given the same priority as the car. According to Neko, it's best to repeat the scan every year. And to bring a bit of gamification into play, you can also compare your values with those of others. As an example, Neko mentions the blood sugar value, which you can compare with the average for your age group.

The scan technology is not comparable to an MRI or other common methods, says Neko. Everything has been developed in-house. However, the check also includes the usual blood test. And if there are any indications of cardiac arrhythmia, for example, the scan is followed by a regular long-term ECG. It remains unclear how exactly AI will be used to evaluate the data collected. It is only stated that AI does not make independent decisions, but that a doctor is always responsible. The data would not be sold, but would be used internally. Which systems are used is unknown.

(emw)