Nuance Communications, provider of conversational AI and ambient intelligence solutions, acquired Saykara, an AI-powered, voice-activated virtual scribe for physicians.
Founded in 2015 by Harjinder Sandhu, Ph.D., Saykara’s AI-powered assistant Kara supports physicians in all medical specialties like hospitals, health systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and independent practices nationwide. With the acquisition, Saykara’s team of engineers, machine learning experts, and technology executives will join Nuance’s research and development team.
With this acquisition, Nuance plans to expand its market in conversational artificial intelligence (AI) and ambient clinical intelligence (ACI) solutions that reduce clinician burnout, enhance patient experiences, and improve overall health system financial integrity.
Joe Petro, Nuance Executive Vice President, and Chief Technology Officer, commented: “The complementary technology built by the Saykara team aligns strongly with our technology portfolio and growth strategy as well as the needs of our clients. This acquisition welcomes some familiar and highly respected technology leaders whom I am excited to have joined our research and development team, which consists of the best and brightest minds in applying AI and machine learning to healthcare. With a shared vision, we will continue our aggressive focus on innovation, growth, and on delivering industry-leading AI-powered solutions that meaningfully address the compelling business problems that our healthcare clients and their clinicians face every day.”
“I welcome the opportunity to rejoin the market leader in conversational AI and ambient clinical intelligence, and the impressive Nuance research and development team – especially at this important juncture in the development and adoption of these AI-powered healthcare innovations. We are very familiar with Nuance’s advanced technology, domain expertise, and world-class technical team and share the company’s mission to make what matters to alleviate the clinical documentation burden on clinicians around the world”, said Saykara, Founder and CEO Harjinder Sandhu.
According to Mercom Digital Health Q4 and Annual Funding and M&A Report, Digital Health companies raised a record $14.8 billion in VC funding in 2020.
