Fitbit, the global wearables brand, is acquiring Twine Health, a health coaching platform provider.
Twine Health's HIPAA-compliant connected health platform aims to assist people in managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as implementing lifestyle interventions, such as weight loss and smoking cessation. The platform allows providers, coaches, friends and family to collaborate on care plans. A single coach can also work with numerous patients.
The platform uses a combination of artificial intelligence-driven insights and human interaction, and it automates some parts of the coaching process
The acquisition, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018, furthers Fitbit's reach into healthcare. In the future, Fitbit will be able to expand the Twine platform into new condition areas. The Twine Health team will also join Fitbit as part of its health solutions group.
"Together, we can help healthcare providers better support patients beyond the walls of the clinical environment, which can lead to better health outcomes and ultimately, lower medical costs," said James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit.