KUALA LUMPUR (May 8): Hospital operator IHH Healthcare Bhd (KL: IHH) on Wednesday said it has invested in Belun Technology Company Ltd that makes devices tackling sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Belun’s medical-grade at-home wearable sleep test device and software is the first of its kind cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration, aimed at making detection and diagnosis of sleep apnea more convenient and accessible to patients, IHH said in a statement.

The device collects extensive data, which is then compiled into a detailed clinical report for long-term preventative care, IHH said. The device has also been clinically validated in accredited sleep labs, the company noted.

IHH is investing in early stage digital health and technology-enabled healthcare services and “by partnering with promising ventures, we are expanding our capabilities and creating value across the healthcare continuum,” said IHH chief executive officer Prem Kumar Nair.

Sleep problems threatens the health and quality of life for up to 45% of the world’s population, IHH said, citing a 2008 research paper. Most sleep disorders are preventable or treatable, yet less than one-third of sufferers seek professional help, according to another 2010 paper, the company added.

“We are thrilled to be working with IHH to further Belun’s vision to provide evidence-based support to medical professionals to personalise treatment as well as health insights and alerts through wearable medtech and AI,” Belun CEO Lydia Leung said in the same statement.

Shares in IHH Healthcare were unchanged at RM6.31, valuing the company at RM55.57 billion.