SK telecom announced on Jan. 17 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Vetology Innovations of the United States, targeting the U.S. market with its product, named X Caliber, during the world’s largest veterinary event, VMX2024, currently underway in the U.S.
X Caliber is a diagnostic support service that aids veterinarians in diagnosing diseases using artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze X-ray images of pets. It was the first of its kind to be commercialized in South Korea in September 2022.
Founded in 2011 by veterinary imaging specialist Seth Wallack, Vetology Innovations has provided remote imaging interpretation services for 13 years. Currently, over 3,000 animal clinics in the U.S. are using Vetology’s remote imaging reading services.
Based on this MOU, SKT plans to share data and AI technology related to pet care accumulated through X Caliber, while Vetology will share its expertise and data in the veterinary field. Both parties aim to jointly explore new business opportunities.
SKT anticipates that the combination of both companies’ data and technological capabilities will significantly enhance the accuracy and range of diagnoses, thereby elevating the level of existing AI-based image diagnostic support solutions.
Additionally, the companies plan to collaborate on developing new AI-based solutions in the veterinary field and lead the U.S. and global veterinary markets.
SKT also met with Vetology at CES2024, the world’s largest IT and consumer electronics exhibition, which concluded on Jan. 12, to discuss specific ways to maximize collaboration synergies.
SKT has also entered into a solution supply contract with Vieworks, a domestic company exporting X-ray detectors and medical devices to over 100 countries, for joint market penetration globally.
Following this contract, both companies plan to develop new software combining SKT’s X Caliber and Vieworks’ digital radiography software VXvue. They aim to unveil an integrated medical imaging solution equipped with this software in the first half of the year.
Following strategic partnerships with Japan, Australia, and Singapore last year, SKT views this MOU and supply contract as a significant step towards pushing X Caliber into the global veterinary market, particularly in the Americas, which is home to the world’s largest pet market.