Individuals with chronic kidney disease or those at risk of heart failure face serious challenges due to potassium imbalances, which can sometimes be life-threatening. While continuous glucose monitors have revolutionized diabetes care, similar technology for potassium monitoring is still in its early stages due to its complexity. However, startups are now stepping up to tackle this issue.
Proton Intelligence, a Canadian startup, is developing a continuous potassium monitoring device. The company has recently secured $6.95 million in seed funding, led by SOSV in the Bay Area. Clinical trials are currently in progress, with a product launch expected in 2025.
Proton’s innovation involves a small, implantable device placed under the skin that continuously tracks potassium levels. This device connects to a smartphone app, allowing patients to monitor their potassium levels in real-time and receive alerts if levels fall outside the safe range. Alerts can also provide guidance based on lifestyle factors such as diet or medication use.
Additionally, a clinician dashboard will allow healthcare providers to track potassium trends and use the data to optimize treatment plans. This technology could significantly reduce in-clinic potassium testing, saving both time and money.
The startup was co-founded by CEO Sahan Ranamukhaarachchi, based in Vancouver, Canada, and CSO Victor Cadarso, based in Melbourne, Australia. The two met a decade ago while working on wearable biosensors as researchers in Switzerland. Afterward, Ranamukhaarachchi founded Microdermics, a skin-based drug delivery company, while Cadarso became a professor specializing in micro and nanosensors at Monash University. Proton operates with a commercial headquarters in Canada and an R&D-focused subsidiary in Melbourne.
Ranamukhaarachchi highlighted the dire consequences of insufficient potassium monitoring, saying the team conducted over 100 interviews with healthcare professionals to refine their product. He noted that delays in monitoring often lead to avoidable hospitalizations, halted treatments, or even sudden cardiac death. Patients have expressed their anxiety over potassium imbalances, sharing fears about how a single dietary choice or a missed blood test could jeopardize their health.
The global impact of this issue is significant, with around 10% of the world’s population affected by chronic kidney disease. Many patients face limited access to affordable treatment, leading to millions of deaths annually.
Proton is entering a competitive field, with companies like AliveCor, which uses cardiac activity to estimate potassium levels, having raised $154.3 million to date. Alio has secured $46 million for its potassium monitoring in dialysis patients, while Spain’s Renalyse uses finger-prick blood samples and has raised €1 million.
However, Proton’s founders argue that their device stands out for its scalability, usability, and accuracy. “No other technology currently offers this level of usability, accuracy, and clinical impact,” Ranamukhaarachchi stated.
SOSV’s General Partner, Mohan S. Iyer, expressed enthusiasm for Proton’s potential: “We are proud to be the first institutional investor in Proton Intelligence… and we are excited to continue supporting them as they move into clinical validation.”
Additional investors in the seed round include We Venture Capital, Tenmile, LongeVC, 15th Rock, Exor, and Trampoline Venture Partners.
