Munich-based startup Kaia Health was honored with the German-American Chamber of Commerce's "Newcomer of the Year" award on Thursday evening in New York. The jury explained its decision by citing its innovative approach to personalized treatment of chronic back pain using artificial intelligence as one of the most promising business models for the German and US markets, given high healthcare costs and a lack of treatment options. Each of the more than 100 candidates for the award has successfully identified a gap in the US market over the past three years and upholds the highest quality and service standards.
For 70 years, the German-American Chamber of Commerce in New York has been promoting trade relations between the two countries. Since 2015, the award has annually recognized products or services that stand out through creativity and innovation and make a significant contribution to transatlantic business relations. Konstantin Mehl, founder and managing director of Kaia Health, received the award at the traditional St. Martin's Goose Gala at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park in New York:
"Back pain is a rising cost factor in Western nations. Not to mention the personal suffering experienced by those affected in their search for help who cannot afford expensive hospital stays. We are very grateful for this award and will continue to gain a foothold in the American and German markets in the coming year, pursuing our goal of providing pain patients with a possible alternative to surgery and long-term use of painkillers."
Kaia is the first medically certified back app in Germany and has also been active in the American market since 2017. Initial tests of the therapy have shown significant changes in many sufferers: Analyzing more than 200 user data from the app, researchers at the Klinikum rechts der Isar in Munich evaluated the information users provided about their individual pain levels over time. Patients who completed the therapy program reported an average 43 percent reduction in their pain. The results were recognized at the European Pain Congress in September 2017.
The German Innovation Fund is funding a research project with partners including AOK Bayern and the Technical University of Munich with €5.2 million to integrate Kaia therapy into standard care. Some health insurance companies and companies are also covering the costs of the therapy app. Kaia is available for iOS and Android.
