Nuance Communications, Inc. acquired Saykara, Inc., a like-minded start-up that has developed a mobile AI assistant to automate physicians’ clinical documentation.
The alliance highlights Nuance’s ongoing expansion of the market and technical leadership working with conversational artificial intelligence (AI) and ambient clinical intelligence (ACI) solutions. The solution aims to reduce clinical burnout, enhance the patient experience, and improve the overall health system’s financial integrity.
“The complementary technology built by the Saykara team aligns strongly with our technology portfolio and growth strategy as well as the needs of our clients,” said Joe Petro, Nuance Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “This acquisition welcomes some familiar and highly respected technology leaders whom I am excited to have join our research and development team, which consists of the best and brightest minds in applying AI and machine learning to healthcare. With a shared vision, we will continue our aggressive focus on innovation, growth, and on delivering industry-leading AI-powered solutions that meaningfully address the compelling business problems that our healthcare clients and their clinicians face every day.”
Harjinder Sandhu, Ph.D., a serial entrepreneur, established Saykara in Seattle back in 2015. Sandhu also served as an executive in Nuance’s R and amp;D (research and amp; development) division. A team of leading engineers, experienced technology executives, and machine learning experts from Saykara and Sandhu’s team will join Nuance’s R and amp;D team.
“I welcome the opportunity to rejoin the market leader in conversational AI and ambient clinical intelligence, and the impressive Nuance research and development team – especially at this important juncture in the development and adoption of these AI-powered healthcare innovations,” said Saykara Founder and CEO Harjinder Sandhu. “We are very familiar with Nuance’s advanced technology, domain expertise, and world-class technical team and share the company’s mission to make what matters to alleviate the clinical documentation burden on clinicians around the world.”