Roundup: TikTok joins Korea’s online youth mental health initiative and more briefs

TikTok joins youth mental health campaign in Korea

Social media platform TikTok in South Korea, together with the non-profit organisation Mental Health Korea, has tied up with the National Center for Mental Health to promote the mental well-being of young people.

Based on their memorandum of understanding, the organisations aim to improve youth mental health through the dissemination of correct information on mental health, creating an online atmosphere that is rid of stigma against mental health, and promoting public resources on mental health. 

“Through this collaboration, we will make efforts to ensure that many people receive accurate mental health information and services easily and quickly by using the infrastructure and resources possessed by each organisation,” Kwak Young-sook, head of NCMH, said.

Meanwhile, Tiktok Korea, which has been active in promoting mental wellness over the years, is currently working on a feature that limits the screen time of young people under 18 to 60 minutes daily on their TikTok accounts. 

HD secures funding for Vietnam expansion

Online surgery marketplace HD has received undisclosed funding from venture capital firm FEBE Ventures. 

According to a press statement, the fresh funding will help with the company’s expansion into Vietnam, deepening its presence across Southeast Asia. 

This investment adds to the $6 million that it raised early this year. Meanwhile, HD recently partnered with Johnson & Johnson Medtech in Thailand to help raise the surgical skills of surgeons operating on its HDmall and HDcare platforms. 

J&J Medtech to promote Huinno’s AI-powered ECG monitor

Health tech company Huinno has tied up with Johnson & Johnson Medtech to expand access to its AI-powered continuous ECG monitor across South Korea. 

The Korean medical device startup develops the Memo Patch Plus, a patch-type prescription device that can continuously monitor ECG for up to 14 days. It includes software that analyses ECG data with AI and generates a report for medical professionals. 

Based on a press release, J&J Medtech will help promote the device for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients’ atrial fibrillation at major hospitals. 

Standigm announces newest US partnership for AI drug discovery

Standigm from South Korea will be collaborating with Nashville Biosciences of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the United States to accelerate early drug discovery using AI.

According to a press release, Standigm will have access to its partner’s genomic and clinical data to “build new, customised AI models for drug discovery.”

‘The BioVU dataset has a proven track record of fostering innovation, and we are thrilled to see its impact continue to expand drug discovery and advance patient care on a global scale,” said Nashville Biosciences CEO Leeland Ekstrom.