MRT Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tomoya Ogawa, hereinafter referred to as “MRT”) has signed a memorandum of understanding for a capital and business alliance (hereinafter referred to as “this agreement”) with Lea Bio Inc. (Headquarters: Chigasaki-shi, Kanagawa; Representative Director: Yasuaki Hamanaka, hereinafter referred to as “Lea Bio”). Lea Bio provides web-based systems in Vietnam that support doctors in improving the efficiency of medical examinations. The aim of this agreement is to strengthen, expand, and develop the services of both companies, as well as to launch a new platform by leveraging their existing platforms.
Background
In Southeast Asian countries, along with population growth and economic development, some nations are already entering an aging society. To meet the increasing and diversifying medical needs, these countries are implementing measures such as expanding medical facilities, increasing medical school capacity, and developing specialized training programs.
In Vietnam, the combination of population growth and aging has led to a rise in total medical expenditures and an increase in the complexity of medical care due to changes in disease patterns. Meanwhile, there is a shortage of medical professionals, particularly doctors and healthcare workers, both in terms of quantity and quality. There are also disparities in medical education across regions, a lack of standardized treatment guidelines and protocols, and a concentration of hospitals and specialists in urban areas, resulting in healthcare gaps between urban and rural areas and overcrowding in central hospitals.
To address these challenges, the General Office for Population and Family Planning under the Ministry of Health of Vietnam has adopted the digital health system “MEQUY” developed by Lea Bio. This system enhances health monitoring of patients, promotes preventive care, and supports the management of non-communicable diseases.
Objectives and Details of the Agreement
MRT aims to build the “No.1 medical DX and healthcare workforce platform in ASEAN” and contribute to the advancement of healthcare in Southeast Asia. In 2024, MRT formed a capital and business alliance with Docquity, operator of the largest doctor platform in Southeast Asia, and is expanding its operations in Vietnam through MRT Global Management Pte Ltd (Headquarters: Singapore; Representative Director: Nobutaka Kato).
Through this partnership, MRT will connect its network of doctors, medical institutions, and regulatory agencies in Japan with the networks of doctors, medical institutions, and the Ministry of Health of Vietnam held by Lea Bio. The two companies will jointly support market development, promote platform usage, and build a shared platform that offers Japanese medical expertise and technologies to doctors and medical institutions in Vietnam. MRT will also assist in creating treatment guidelines to help ensure healthcare quality in Vietnam.
MRT will make a capital investment by subscribing to Lea Bio’s third-party share issuance (approximately 4% of total shares, valued at 20 million yen).
About Lea Bio
Lea Bio provides the medical DX service “MEQUY” through its wholly owned Vietnamese subsidiary, Lea Bio Vietnam LLC.
MEQUY is a web-based system that uses proprietary algorithms to generate optimal questions tailored to each patient, helping doctors enhance the efficiency of medical examinations. The system has been adopted by many medical institutions, including the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology under the Ministry of Health of Vietnam, with over 10,000 patients using the service as of January 2025.
Lea Bio contributes to improving healthcare quality by reducing doctors’ workloads, optimizing the operations of medical institutions, minimizing communication errors with patients, and shortening waiting times — all of which encourage early visits and help prevent serious illness.
Future Plans
MRT and Lea Bio will work together to expand each of their platforms, increase sales through joint business activities and service offerings, and enhance corporate value. MRT will continue to improve its services to address healthcare challenges in Vietnam, while sharing the knowledge and experience gained in Vietnam with other Southeast Asian countries. The company aims to build the No.1 medical DX and healthcare workforce platform in ASEAN and contribute to the development of healthcare across the region.
- Reference PRTIME: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000054.000058805.html
- About MRT:
MRT Global Management is a pioneer in providing healthcare management solutions and digital technologies for hospitals and clinics in Asia. - About Lea Bio:
Lea Bio specializes in biomedical devices, diagnostic technology, and modern diagnostic support solutions, with a presence in many international markets.