Startup targets clinical trials of electrolyte monitoring technology in patients with chronic kidney disease by 2026.
Continuous biomarker monitoring company Proton Intelligence has closed a $6.95 million seed financing round aimed at advancing its continuous potassium monitoring (CKM) platform into human trials. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with R&D operations in Melbourne, Australia, the company is targeting a gap in cardio-kidney-metabolic disease management through its electrolyte monitoring technology.
The CKM platform is designed to provide continuous, real-time monitoring of potassium levels, addressing the critical need for tighter potassium regulation in patients at risk of hyperkalemia, a condition that can lead to severe cardiac events and death. Common among elderly patients, hyperkalemia is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality, and according to Proton, hyperkalemia affects over 3.7 million Americans, with chronic kidney disease (CKD) being the primary cause and cardiac arrest the most severe consequence. The company suggests that, in the absence of reliable potassium data, clinicians are often forced to discontinue vital therapies for fear of inducing hyperkalemia, leading to poorer patient outcomes.
Unlike glucose monitoring for diabetes, Proton claims there is currently no on-demand potassium monitoring tool available, leaving clinicians without the data needed to make timely decisions for patients with CKD or heart failure. While continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has revolutionized diabetes care, CKD patients still rely heavily on lab visits for potassium monitoring. With its CKM technology, the startup is targeting this gap by enabling clinicians to track potassium fluctuations remotely, allowing more accurate treatment of the condition.
Clinical trials assessing the performance of Proton’s CKM platform have already begun, focusing on populations with severely impaired kidney function, such as patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or advanced CKD. The hope is that continuous potassium monitoring could provide a breakthrough to help reduce hospitalization, improve clinical outcomes, and lower healthcare costs for patients with CKD and hyperkalemia.
Dr Sahan Ranamukhaarachchi, Proton founder and CEO said that the new investment would fund the company “through a number of clinical feasibility trials ahead of a pivotal study planned for 2026 and get closer to making CKM a reality for millions of patients.”
Investors in the recent funding round include SOSV, We Venture Capital, Tenmile, LongeVC, 15th Rock, Exor, and Trampoline Venture Partners.
“The ability to continuously monitor potassium will enable better data driven decision making for patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease or on dialysis, not only improving outcomes for these patients but saving health systems considerable costs,” said Tenmile’s Dr Steve Burnell.
