Cara Care, a Berlin-based gastrointestinal healthcare technology startup, announced this week that it has raised $7 million in Series A funding. Leading the round were JJDC and Asabys Partners, with participation from existing investor Atlantic Labs.
The company plans to leverage the capital in support of expanding the market launch for its mobile companion app into the U.S. Additional uses for the funding include scientific research and strategic partnership development.
Available in both English and German, the personalized care app helps people with digestive health issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) identify triggers and manage their symptoms between doctor’s visits. So far, Cara Care has over 400,000 users in Germany and the U.S., with a 78.8 percent treatment success rate.
“Cara Care’s advanced digital technologies, which include big data, AI, and UX, are all embedded in the patient-centric Cara Care mobile app, helping patients improve their lives with more efficient, personalized and clinically validated treatments.”
“Cara Care’s advanced digital technologies, which include big data, AI, and UX, are all embedded in the patient-centric Cara Care mobile app, helping patients improve their lives with more efficient, personalized and clinically validated treatments,” said Josep LI. Sanfeliu, managing partner and co-founder, Asabys Partners, in a statement.
Gastrointestinal disease management may be overlooked, but market data suggest a compelling opportunity that healthcare technology companies can seize. According to a recent report cited in the company’s press release, annual healthcare expenditures for gastrointestinal disease in the United States total $136 billion, eclipsing that of heart disease, trauma and mental health. For those facing gastrointestinal health challenges, the physical and mental toll can be devastating.
“By identifying individual triggers for symptoms and flares, we can tailor interventions to reduce symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life. Based on the health and lifestyle data, it is further possible to optimize medication intake, increase adherence and match the right therapy with the right patient,” said Cara Care’s André Sommer, M.D.