Device dispenses meds at home, as needed

GUELPH, Ont. – Canadian healthtech company AceAge Inc. and Burlington-based electronics manufacturer Urtech have joined forces to bring Karie, a home health appliance, to market by summer 2018. The personal health companion schedules, delivers and monitors medication regimens, providing users with increased independence and improved health outcomes.

“AceAge has gone through six product iterations; testing with caregivers and patients every step of the way. We then conducted a very successful usability study with the University of Toronto to ensure Karie meets the needs of our users,” says AceAge CEO Spencer Waugh. “We are thrilled to partner with Urtech, launching our Canadian-made device for the five million Canadians on three prescriptions or more.”

AceAge Inc. creates intuitive products that ease the aging process. Karie will enable people to age in place, reduce emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and relieve the dependence on caregivers in medication management.

• Karie uses common, multi-dose pouch packaging, where pharmacists pre-organize medications for patients.
• After placing the loaded cartridge inside Karie, it reads the information on the packaging and automatically creates a medication schedule.
• When it is time for the next dose, Karie will alert the patient by chiming and lighting up.
• If a dose is missed, alerts go out to family and/or caregivers.

“Urtech produces and distributes internationally for a strong industry portfolio including Healthtech companies, large and small,” shares Greg Gehl, founder and president of Urtech. “Our UrStart Hardware Accelerator helped connect AceAge with hardware experts and resources, including designers and testing labs. We are delighted to see AceAge’s products coming to market with us.”

The joining of AceAge and Urtech is an exciting step for both parties. With 30 years of industry experience, Urtech meets the immediate needs of a healthtech startup and has the longevity to grow with AceAge.

Urtech has the flexibility to produce AceAge’s first order of devices with the capability of expanding to 100,000 units per month. Urtech has a US-based factory which will enable AceAge to effectively operate and manufacture products for their markets on the other side of the border.

Last year, Centric Health Corporation, Canada’s leading diversified healthcare company, signed a strategic distribution and supply agreement and a strategic investment with AceAge Inc. for their product Karie. Centric Health is currently the only pharmacy chain operator in Canada offering the home health appliance and has the demand driving production.

“AceAge and Karie will enable Centric to expand its services to the aging at home community, with the ability to deliver a more comprehensive product extending independence to our customers,” says Centric Health chairman Jack Shevel. “Karie is an innovative product that provides peace of mind to family and caregivers that medication has been taken properly.

“Aging individuals seek autonomy and control over their health, and a partnership that offers consumers this makes perfect sense,” says Shevel. “The launch of this Canadian device is only the first phase of its huge potential. We are delighted that Urtech is the chosen manufacturer.”

To learn more and sign up for updates, visit www.kariehealth.com.