The Proton device aims to help those with kidney disease, and reduce heart failure

People with kidney disease, or those at risk of heart failure, are more susceptible to potassium imbalances in the body. This can be life-threatening. Although wearable glucometers are now commonplace and have changed the lives of diabetics, potassium monitoring is still in its infancy because of its complexity. Now, startups are emerging to solve this problem.

Proton Intelligence is a Canadian-based startup that develops continuous potassium monitoring products. It has now closed a $6.95 million funding round led by SOSV in the Bay Area. Clinical trials are underway for the drug, which should be launched in 2025.

Proton is developing a small device that is placed under the skin to measure potassium levels. This can connect to a smartphone app so patients can monitor their potassium levels and get alerts if their levels deviate from safe levels, based on lifestyle choices, such as diet, or medication.

A clinical dashboard will show the patient’s potassium response, and care teams will be able to use that data to improve treatment. In-hospital potassium testing can be greatly reduced, saving time and money.

The company was founded by the CEO Sahan Ranamukhaarachchi (from Vancouver, Canada) and CSO Victor Cadarso (from Melbourne).

The pair founded the startup after working on a clothing line as researchers in Switzerland 10 years ago. Ranamukhaarachchi invented the first skin delivery system (Microdermics), while Cadarso became a professor of Micro and nanosensors at Monash University in Melbourne. Proton, therefore, has a commercial HQ in Canada and a permanent R&D company in Melbourne, Australia.

Ranamukhaarachchi told TechCrunch that the team conducted in-depth interviews with more than 100 patient care teams to research their buy-in: “This highlights the dangers of ‘flying skin’ in monitoring potassium levels, as delays in monitoring often result in hospitalization, stopping treatment, or even sudden cardiac death,” he said.

He described how patients talk about “constant fear of potassium imbalance, wondering if eating one banana or missing a blood test” could affect their health or put their lives at risk.

The problem is real. About 10% of the world’s population it is affected is chronic kidney disease, and millions die every year because they do not have access to proper treatment.

Proton competes with several other emerging companies in this segment.

AliveCor estimates potassium levels indirectly by predicting cardiovascular events (raised $154.3 million to date). Alio (raised $46M) monitors potassium in dialysis patients. Renalyse from Spain measures potassium through finger blood tests (raised) €1 million. There are several others.

That said, Proton’s founders say the solution will be radical: “There is no other technology that offers this level of usability, precision, and clinical impact,” says Ranamukhaarachchi.

In a statement, Mohan S.lyer, General Partner at SOSV, said: “We are proud to be the first investor in Proton Intelligence…

Also investing in this Seed are We Venture Capital, Tenmile, LongeVC, 15th Rock, Exor, and Trampoline Venture Partners.