September 13, 2022

KDDI Corporation

On September 12, 2022, KDDI invested in PharmaX Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yusuke Tsuji; hereinafter: "PharmaX") [1], the operator of online family pharmacy "YOJO", through the KDDI Open Innovation Fund III (operated by Global Brain Corporation), which aims to incubate new business co-creations with promising venture startups.

PharmaX is a start-up that operates the "YOJO" online pharmacy where customers can consult with a pharmacist via chat in order to buy pharmaceuticals that are suitable for their symptoms and body condition. Making use of the knowledge accumulated through YOJO, the company is also developing an operating system for establishing "online family pharmacies" (hereinafter: "Pharmacy OS"). Pharmacists regularly conduct follow-up regarding the conditions of medication use, combinations of medications, side effects, and other matters in order to provide the reassurance of a family pharmacy and improve patient satisfaction.

Through this investment, KDDI will support the development of the Pharmacy OS by PharmaX. We will also create links between Pharmacy OS and "au Wellness", which provides complete services from examination by a medical institution to medication instructions on a smartphone.
Be making free consultations and medication management by a pharmacist available via "au Wellness", we aim to create an environment where users can be examined early and continue suitable medication treatment. We also aim to provide effective data-based medication support by means such as allowing the number of steps walked, weight, calories burned, and other user data collected by "au Wellness" to be used in consultations with pharmacists.

In order to continually provide the best services, a pharmacy must perform follow-up regarding matters such as the conditions of medication use, side effects, and the availability of leftover medicines, and must share information with the prescribing physician. However currently pharmacists must devote the majority of their time to work for preparing medications according to the prescription and providing the medications to patients.
The 2020 revision of the Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices significantly relaxed regulations on pharmacies by making medication follow-up mandatory and making permanent the temporary measures enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The operation of electronic prescriptions is also scheduled to start in January 2023, and the groundwork has been laid for promoting regular online use of pharmacy services.

(Reference)

• ■ About "au Wellness"

  1. Functions

  Data management	This app enables measurement, target management, graphical display, and other management of the number of steps walked, body weight, and calories consumed. It can also be linked with Apple Watch and other smart watches.
  Challenge function	This function enables users to challenge themselves in achieving a variety of targets including daily walking, workouts, and body weight records that encourage the development of good habits. Coins are awarded according to the level of achievement, and the collected coins can be exchanged for presents. New challenge targets will be continually added in the future.
  Exercise*	The app allows users to participate in online exercise and view videos.
  Anytime telephone health consultations*	This function allows health consultations 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
  Symptom search engine "Ubie"	Based on the input information, this service provides related illnesses, information about those illnesses, and information about related medical institutions.
  Online treatment	With "curon for KDDI", users can complete the full range of steps from making a reservation at a hospital (clinic), completing the preliminary questionnaire, examination, payment, and sending the prescription to a pharmacy.
  Online medication guidance	Following online treatment, users can make a reservation at a pharmacy, receive medication guidance, and complete payment.

  • * This service is available with the Premium Course. Depending on the streaming content, some exercise is available for free.

  2. Usage fee

  Basic functions: Free

  • * When using online treatment, a usage fee for the "Online Treatment System" is required.

  Premium Course: 550 yen/month (tax inclusive)

  3. How to use

  • -

    Downloading the app
    iPhone users: Search for "au Wellness" on the App Store.
    Android users: Search for "au Wellness" on Google Play.

  • -

    On the Internet, go here (in Japanese only).

• ■About KDDI Open Innovation Fund

  KDDI Open Innovation Fund is a corporate venture fund that supports a broad range of venture companies. The currently active KDDI Open Innovation Fund III focuses on the areas of AI, IoT, data marketing, fintech, B2B SaaS, and entertainment with a total operating fund of 20 billion yen.

  MUGENLABO Magazine (in Japanese only)

• * Apple Watch is a trademark registered to Apple Inc. in the United States and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.
• * Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.
• * All other company names and product names in the release are the trademark or registered trademark of their respective companies.
• * All the charges indicated above exclude taxes unless otherwise noted.

• [1]

  On August 31, 2022, the company name was changed from YOJO Technologies to PharmaX Inc.