Potassium imbalances in the body can have life-threatening consequences, particularly for individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or those at risk of heart failure. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, monitoring potassium levels remains a significant challenge. While wearable glucose monitors have revolutionized diabetes management, potassium monitoring is still in its infancy. Enter Proton Intelligence, a Canada-based startup that is set to transform how potassium levels are tracked and managed.
Breaking Ground in Potassium Monitoring
Proton Intelligence is developing a groundbreaking continuous potassium monitoring device. The small, implantable sensor sits just below the skin and continuously tracks potassium levels in real-time. The data is then sent to a smartphone app, where users can monitor their levels and receive timely notifications if their potassium moves outside the safe range. This innovation could save countless lives by providing actionable insights into lifestyle factors like diet and medication adjustments.
For healthcare providers, Proton’s clinician dashboard offers a comprehensive view of patients’ potassium trends. This tool enables care teams to make data-driven decisions, fine-tuning therapies and preventing complications before they escalate. With these features, Proton aims to empower both patients and clinicians to take control of potassium management in ways never before possible.
From Swiss Labs to Global Innovation
The story of Proton Intelligence began a decade ago in Switzerland, where co-founders Sahan Ranamukhaarachchi and Victor Cadarso were conducting research on wearable biosensors. Their paths diverged temporarily, with Ranamukhaarachchi founding Microdermics, a skin-based drug delivery startup in Canada, and Cadarso becoming a professor in micro- and nano-sensors at Monash University in Melbourne. However, their shared vision brought them back together to address one of the most pressing issues in healthcare today.
Proton now operates with a dual focus: a commercial headquarters in Vancouver, Canada, and an R&D subsidiary in Melbourne, Australia. This international setup allows the company to harness the best of both worlds—cutting-edge research and a strong business development network.
A $6.95 Million Boost to Revolutionize Care
Proton Intelligence recently closed an impressive $6.95 million seed funding round led by SOSV, a global venture capital firm known for backing transformative startups. Other investors include We Venture Capital, Tenmile, LongeVC, 15th Rock, Exor, and Trampoline Venture Partners. The funds will accelerate clinical trials for Proton’s device, which is slated for a 2025 launch.
“We are proud to be the first institutional investor in Proton Intelligence and excited to support them as they move into clinical validation,” said Mohan S. Iyer, General Partner at SOSV. The endorsement underscores Proton’s potential to disrupt the healthcare industry and deliver life-changing solutions for millions of patients worldwide.
The Devastating Reality of Potassium Imbalances
The need for Proton’s technology cannot be overstated. Chronic kidney disease affects approximately 10% of the global population, and thousands of lives are lost annually due to inadequate monitoring and treatment. Potassium imbalances—whether too high (hyperkalemia) or too low (hypokalemia)—can lead to severe health crises, including sudden cardiac death.
In over 100 interviews conducted with care teams, Proton’s founders uncovered the catastrophic impact of “flying blind” when managing potassium levels. Delayed monitoring often results in preventable hospitalizations, therapy interruptions, and life-threatening emergencies. Patients expressed a constant fear of imbalance, with one noting how something as simple as eating a banana or missing a blood test could jeopardize their health.
The Competitive Landscape
Proton Intelligence enters a growing market of startups tackling potassium monitoring. Competitors include AliveCor, which estimates potassium levels indirectly by analyzing cardiac activity and has raised $154.3 million to date; Alio, focusing on potassium monitoring for dialysis patients with $46 million in funding; and Renalyse, a Spanish company offering finger-prick blood tests for potassium monitoring with €1 million in backing.
Despite the competition, Proton’s founders believe their solution stands out for its scalability, usability, and clinical impact. “No other technology currently offers this level of usability, accuracy, and clinical impact,” said Ranamukhaarachchi. The implantable device’s continuous monitoring capabilities could make it a game-changer in the field.
Looking Ahead
Proton’s mission extends beyond technological innovation. By providing real-time, affordable potassium monitoring, the company aims to reduce preventable hospitalizations and deaths worldwide. With clinical trials underway and a commercial launch planned for 2025, Proton is well on its way to achieving this vision.
The future of healthcare lies in proactive, data-driven solutions, and Proton Intelligence is poised to lead the charge. For the millions living with chronic kidney disease and those at risk of heart failure, this tiny device could mean the difference between constant fear and empowered living.
