Canada-based startup gets money for its continuous potassium monitoring device

Vancouver, Canada-based Proton Intelligence has just landed $6.95 million in seed financing. With a dream team of backers like SOSV, We Venture Capital, Tenmile, and LongeVC - they're pushing boundaries in continuous health monitoring — this time, with potassium.

Why does this matter? Well, if you've got kidney disease or heart failure, keeping tabs on your potassium levels can be the difference between life and death. Their Continuous Potassium Monitoring (CKM) platform is poised to change the game.

How does it work?

Think of CKM like a continuous glucose monitor but for potassium. The system constantly tracks potassium levels, alerting both patients and doctors to dangerous spikes or drops. This real-time data allows timely adjustments to treatment, reducing risks of heart complications.

"Potassium is the hardest biomarker to measure," Proton's team explains, "yet it's crucial for patients with cardio-kidney-metabolic issues." By offering remote, continuous updates, CKM makes it possible to optimize therapies that were previously abandoned due to high potassium scares.

The technology is already undergoing clinical trials for those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). According to the United States Renal Data System (USRDS), CKD affects 14% of adults in the U.S. and gobbles up over 25% of Medicare spending — a staggering burden that CKM could help ease.

Why does it matter?

Potassium fluctuations aren't just a minor inconvenience — they're silent killers. A single high potassium event can push patients off life-saving therapies, hiking their mortality rate by nearly 40% within six months.

"This breakthrough could save countless lives while slashing healthcare costs," said Dr. Steve Burnell, Managing Director at Tenmile.

Beyond individual outcomes, there's a broader ripple effect. Managing CKD and ESRD costs U.S. Medicare billions annually. By preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and improving long-term outcomes, CKM has the potential to save health systems a fortune.

As Dr. Louise Warme from We Venture Capital put it, "This technology fills a critical gap in patient care."

The context

Continuous monitoring tech has been around for a while — just look at the success of continuous glucose monitors in diabetes care. However, electrolyte monitoring has lagged behind. Proton Intelligence is stepping into this void with bold ambitions and a clear mission.

Their R&D operations span Vancouver (Canada) and Melbourne (Australia), blending expertise from two continents.

"We're thrilled by the support from our investors," said Dr. Sahan Ranamukhaarachchi, CEO of Proton Intelligence. "This milestone propels us towards pivotal trials in 2026 and, ultimately, making CKM a reality for millions."

With a firm foundation in science and a visionary leadership team, Proton Intelligence is well on its way to revolutionizing care for those battling kidney disease and heart failure. The future looks bright, and this seed round is just the beginning.