An innovator developing and delivering excellent AI-powered solutions for the elderly: SEVEN POINT ONE

Globally there are various companies delivering excellent tech solutions for the elderly population, but SEVEN POINT ONE stands out from the rest. SEVEN POINT ONE was first started as a VR company focusing on 20–30-year-olds. However, after participating in two voluntary activities for elderly living alone and seeing how they love experiencing new technology, the company saw how much-needed technology is “absent” for the entire generation. Thereafter, SEVEN POINT ONE slowly pivoted to develop solutions for seniors using cutting-edge technologies including AI and VR.

The human-less AI-powered solution, AlzWIN, helps to screen-out high-risk dementia patients quickly and VR-powered solution, SENTENTS, helps alleviate cognitive impairment, depression and loneliness of the seniors using elements of reminiscence therapy.

In conversation with Evan Lee, CEO of SEVEN POINT ONE

Q. Can you explain about your services in brief?

While the only available known measure is to “find and treat it early”, 91% of US dementia seniors go undiagnosed. Why? We believe it’s because there is no easy, accessible, and affordable measurement device like a weight scale for cognitive impairment or brain health. AlzWIN strives to be like a weight scale for cognitive health. We believe it can set a new paradigm in fight for dementia by allowing seniors to effortlessly track their cognitive health and respond earlier to any unusual changes. Backed by AI, it does not require a tester to make any hospital or doctor visits. It’s simple, fast, and easy to take on any device, anywhere, anytime. The three clinical trials and various cross-industry collaboration projects support the solution’s ability to reliably monitor one’s cognitive health and screen out potential dementia patients. It is internationally patented by seven registered patents and a copyright.

In Asia, we have built successful partnerships with apex industry players including insurance (CIGNA and Samsung Life), Pharmaceutical (Eisai), Digital (Naver) and Governments (Seoul Metropolitan Government) and proved that this benefits providers, payers, and the citizens altogether. With world aging, we want to replicate the case globally.

Q. Early diagnosis often allows for the detection of dementia at an early stage of development. How does this affect the treatment process?

There are more than 70 causes of dementia and 20-30% of the causes can be improved if found early. For Alzheimer’s dementia, which takes up about 60-70% of dementia, medication could potentially slow down the progression if found early. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates the cost savings of early diagnosis to be c. US$7 trillion (mainly on the long-term care cost). Plus, if found early, the patient and their family can prepare for their future lives while their symptoms are mild.

Q. Many hospitals are focused on the financial aspect of health care and not the quality outcomes. How do you maintain the affordability of your solutions for mass production?

AlzWIN is a cloud-based SAAS solution, meaning it does not require a person to visit any physical facility or own a specific device for the service. Plus, it’s a human-less AI-powered solution, meaning it does not require any of doctors’ expensive time. AlzWIN can be offered as a great additional yet essential protection for patients at a minimal cost and time. The solution is fully structured in multi-tenancy and resource pooling enabled way to support any sudden increase in test volumes.

Q. Do you have any new services ready to be launched?

We expect to launch AlzWIN consumer version in 2023. We will also launch SENTENTS US version in the coming years.

Q. What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

We are expanding our partnership globally. We are speaking with few global institutions and our service is now available in English and Spanish (previously provided only in Korean). With more data coming in, the accuracy of the algorithm is improving as well. We hope to file for a SaMD approval with the FDA in the coming years. The consumer version will have a fun and coaching features that can help users. Named as a CES 2023 Innovation Awards Honoree, we are looking forward to expanding our partnership into the US market to help lower the 91.4% ratio of undiagnosed US seniors.

Meet the leaders behind the success of SEVEN POINT ONE

Evan Lee, CEO

Evan Lee graduated from the University of Washington; he served as an Air Force officer and worked as an investment banker at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Evan also served as the vice president of global finance at a previous start-up, attracting more than USD 120 million in investments, and has led partnerships with global industry giants

Vincent Yoo, CTO

Vincent Yoo studied computer science at the University of Washington and has more than 15 years of working experience. He formerly worked as an AI and SW engineer at NHN (or Naver), a global game and digital company, designing AI and a variety of digital programs, including games

Changwon Lim, CAIO

Professor Changwon Lim at Chung-Ang University’s Department of Applied Statistics works on various AI projects, including the integrated processing of heterogeneous big data as a principal investigator. He serves as the CAIO for Seven Point One

Kiwoong Kim, Adviser

Professor Kiwoong Kim at Seoul National University School of Medicine served as the nation’s president of the central dementia center, governing over 256 regional dementia centers around the peninsula. He dealt with a large amount of data on dementia and is considered one of the most esteemed global experts on dementia and the elderly. The Professor serves as the advisor to Seven Point One

“AlzWIN strives to be like a weight scale for cognitive health. We believe it can set a new paradigm in fight for dementia by allowing seniors to effortlessly track their cognitive health and respond earlier to any unusual changes.”