Sky Labs, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Sign Distribution Deal for CART BP pro

Sky Labs Inc. has forged an exclusive distribution agreement with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Otsuka) to disseminate its ring-type blood pressure monitor, CART BP pro in Japanese hospitals and clinics.

The agreement follows the memorandum of understanding (MoU) the pair signed in December 2024. Sky Labs initially explored global expansion opportunities through Korea Otsuka Pharmaceutical, and the introduction by the Korean affiliate led to formal discussions and negotiations with Otsuka’s headquarters. Such a collaboration represents a successful open-innovation case in which a Korean venture company leveraged the domestic subsidiary of a multinational corporation as a bridge to establish a partnership with its global headquarters.

Otsuka is a global pharmaceutical company providing a wide range of medical solutions worldwide. By partnering with Otsuka and leveraging profound expertise in the cardiovascular field as well as its extensive distribution network, Sky Labs aims to reach a broader patient population and accelerate the adoption of CART BP pro in Japanese hospitals and clinics. 

There are roughly 43 million hypertension patients in Japan, and an estimated 29% of those patients fail to control their blood pressure despite receiving treatment, and 33% are believed to be unaware of their condition. As abnormal 24-hour blood pressure patterns and nocturnal hypertension are linked to increased organ damage and cerebrovascular disease risk, the clinical importance of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring is growing. Given these clinical requirements and the vast patient population, CART BP pro is expected to significantly contribute to helping manage hypertension in Japanese patients through precise diagnosis and optimal treatment strategy development as well as systematic assessment of therapeutic effects.

CART BP pro has already demonstrated its technological capabilities with tangible results in the Korean market. After receiving Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approval in 2023, the product gained clinical recognition in 2024 due to national health insurance reimbursement approval.

The device is currently prescribed for 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in more then 1,700 medical institutions nationwide, including tertiary hospitals, surpassing 150,000 cumulative prescriptions within a year of its domestic launch.

Conventional blood pressure monitors use an air-inflated cuff to apply pressure and temporarily restrict blood flow for measurement. This method frequently causes discomfort and pain during measurement and can disrupt sleep during nighttime monitoring.

Conversely, the CART BP pro uses photoplethysmography (PPG) technology to measure blood pressure without a cuff, enabling patients to measure their blood pressure comfortably during daily activities and sleep and allowing medical professionals to obtain stable data to provide appropriate treatment plans.

“Starting with our entry into Japan, we will continue to validate our unparalleled blood pressure monitoring technology in the global market, while leaping forward as a leader in the global blood ,pressure monitoring industry,” Sky Labs CEO Jack Byunghwan Lee stated.

Dounded in 2015, Sky Labs researches and develops healthcare solutions to predict disease.