Kivo Health Company Profile

Background

Overview

Kivo Health, founded in 2021 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a telehealth company specializing in pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with chronic lung diseases, particularly Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The company offers a nine-week, Medicare-covered program delivered via live video sessions led by licensed respiratory therapists. This program aims to improve patients' breathing, enhance quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs by decreasing hospitalizations.

Mission and Vision

Kivo Health is committed to making pulmonary rehabilitation accessible to all eligible patients, addressing the current gap where only 3% of those eligible receive this therapy. By leveraging telehealth, Kivo Health seeks to eliminate barriers such as transportation and proximity to rehabilitation centers, ensuring patients can receive care from the comfort of their homes.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Accessibility: Provide remote pulmonary rehabilitation to overcome traditional access barriers.

Clinical Outcomes: Enhance patient health by improving functional capacity, quality of life, and reducing symptoms.

Cost Reduction: Lower healthcare expenditures by decreasing hospital bed-days and associated costs.

Specialization and Technologies

Kivo Health specializes in telehealth pulmonary rehabilitation, utilizing a proprietary software platform that enables real-time monitoring of patients' oxygen levels and heart rates during live video sessions. Patients receive a "Kivo Kit," which includes a cellular-connected tablet, a Bluetooth pulse oximeter, and exercise equipment, facilitating comprehensive remote care.

Target Markets

The primary market includes patients with chronic lung diseases, especially those with COPD, who face challenges accessing traditional in-person rehabilitation services. Kivo Health collaborates with healthcare providers and payers to extend its services to a broader patient base.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Kivo Health has participated in multiple funding rounds:

Accelerator/Incubator Round (February 2023): Raised $125,000.

Early Stage Venture Capital (March 2023): Secured additional funding; specific amount undisclosed.

Notable Investors

Investors include Y Combinator, Heuristic Capital Partners, Quint Capital, SNR, and the UCSF Rosenman Institute.

Utilization of Capital

The funds are allocated towards enhancing technological infrastructure, expanding the team, and scaling operations to reach a larger patient population.

Pipeline Development

Program Details

Kivo Health offers a nine-week pulmonary rehabilitation program consisting of twice-weekly live video sessions led by licensed respiratory therapists. The program focuses on:

Breathing Techniques: Teaching methods to manage and alleviate breathlessness.

Exercise Training: Guided physical activities tailored to individual capabilities.

Education: Providing information on managing lung conditions and preventing exacerbations.

Clinical Outcomes

Participants have reported significant improvements:

Functional Capacity: 42% increase in the one-minute sit-to-stand test.

Quality of Life: 19% improvement in the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score.

Dyspnea: 17% reduction in the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale.

Mood: 25% improvement in the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Kivo Health has developed patent-pending software that enables real-time monitoring of patients' oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate during live video sessions. This technology ensures safe and effective remote exercise training.

Scientific Methodologies

The program adheres to established pulmonary rehabilitation guidelines, incorporating:

Comprehensive Assessments: Evaluating functional capacity, quality of life, dyspnea, nutritional status, and occupational status.

Individualized Exercise Prescriptions: Tailoring endurance and resistance training to each patient's needs.

Continuous Monitoring: Utilizing real-time data to adjust exercise intensity and ensure patient safety.

Leadership Team

Victor Sadauskas, MD – Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Sadauskas trained as an Emergency Medicine physician at Stanford University. His firsthand experience with the challenges of healthcare access inspired him to co-found Kivo Health, aiming to develop tech-enabled solutions that improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.

Vaughn Koch – Co-Founder & Chief Technology Officer

Mr. Koch is a serial entrepreneur and technologist. He previously founded Movity, which was acquired by Trulia. At Kivo Health, he focuses on building and enhancing the technological infrastructure to deliver effective telehealth services.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The telehealth pulmonary rehabilitation market is expanding, driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic lung diseases and the need for accessible, cost-effective care solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the adoption of telehealth services.

Competitor Analysis

While specific direct competitors are not detailed in the available information, the market includes various telehealth providers offering pulmonary rehabilitation services. Kivo Health differentiates itself through its proprietary real-time monitoring technology and comprehensive patient support.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Kivo Health collaborates with healthcare providers and payers to extend its services to a broader patient base. The company is also a participant in the UCSF Rosenman Institute's ADAPT program, which supports healthcare startups in scaling their innovations.

Operational Insights

Competitive Advantages

Real-Time Monitoring: Proprietary software enables continuous tracking of vital signs during sessions.

Comprehensive Support: Patients receive all necessary equipment and personalized guidance.

Insurance Coverage: The program is covered by Medicare and most insurance plans, enhancing affordability.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Kivo Health aims to expand its reach by partnering with more healthcare providers and payers, enhancing its technological platform, and exploring additional telehealth services to address other chronic conditions.