Q&A: Real-time digital healthcare for 2026

A radiologist interpreting magnetic resonance imaging. Image by The Medical Futurist editors. – The Future of Radiology and Artificial Intelligence. The Medical Futurist (2017-06-29) CC4.0

What does 2026 hold for digital healthcare technology? To help make sense of the likely developments, Digital Journal spoke with Ben Hwang, Chairman and CEO of Profusa, Inc.

Hwang discusses AI and digital healthcare technology. Profusa is a prominent commercial-stage digital health company pioneering the next generation of personalised medicine. The company is focused on developing a new generation of bio-engineered sensors that empower the real-time monitoring of body chemistry.

Digital Journal: Could you share a brief overview of Profusa’s background?

Ben Hwang: Profusa, Inc. (NASDAQ: PFSA) is a digital health company pioneering a new generation of biointegrated sensors. Its injectable biosensors are designed to continuously monitor an individual’s unique body chemistry in real time. 
Profusa stands out by delivering clinical-grade data in a scalable, intuitive format, all at a cost that enables widespread adoption. We achieve this by leveraging the collective expertise and vision of our global network of partners.

We started Profusa on the premise that individuals were able to receive real-time notifications about traffic, weather, shopping discounts, and other factors in our daily lives, so why were we still in the dark about our health? Today, we can access real-time traffic updates to avoid delays or compare prices across stores instantly, yet when it comes to managing chronic disease, we still rely on static snapshots, an annual blood test, or an occasional lab draw to make critical health decisions.

Profusa was founded to change that. Our platform delivers continuous monitoring of key biochemical markers such as glucose, lactate, and tissue oxygenation, providing a live stream of clinically relevant data. This enables patients and physicians to make decisions based on up-to-the-moment insights rather than outdated or incomplete information. The result is faster, more informed care, whether that means fine-tuning a medication, adjusting a treatment plan, or encouraging healthier choices before issues escalate.

DJ: What products does Profusa offer, and how are you integrating AI into them?

Hwang: Profusa’s core innovation lies in our real-time biosensing platform, the Lumee Oxygen Platform, which uses small, tissue-integrated sensors to continuously monitor key biochemical markers in the body. Our product is designed to deliver clinical-quality data for applications ranging from chronic disease management to performance optimization.

Artificial intelligence plays a critical role in maximizing the value of that data. By applying advanced AI algorithms, we can translate the continuous biochemical signals our sensors capture into actionable insights for patients, clinicians, and researchers. This includes identifying patterns, predicting potential health issues before they become acute, and personalizing care recommendations. We believe the time is right for our technology to take full advantage of the rapidly maturing artificial intelligence tools. We see AI integration as an opportunity to enhance and create a more seamless product experience while analyzing and organizing various data points effectively. 

As AI continues to advance and we expand our product portfolio, safely integrating AI will remain key to our mission, enabling more precise, predictive, and preventative healthcare solutions that improve outcomes and reduce costs.

DJ: In what ways does Profusa’s mission align with the health initiative encouraging the adoption of wearable devices?

Hwang: At Profusa, our mission is to empower individuals and healthcare providers with real-time, actionable health data, a vision that strongly aligns with RFK Jr.’s initiative promoting the adoption of wearable devices. Both efforts recognize that timely, continuous health insights can play a transformative role in disease prevention, early intervention, and personalized care.

Our biosensor platform goes a step further by delivering clinical-grade data in a minimally invasive, user-friendly format, making it possible to monitor key health indicators and provide the individual and their medical provider with helpful, real-time data while also being cost-effective. This capability directly supports the broader goal of shifting healthcare from a reactive model to a proactive one, where individuals are equipped with the tools to take control of their health before issues escalate.

By advancing this technology in partnership with healthcare systems, policymakers, and innovators, we share in the commitment to making wearable health solutions not only more accessible but also more impactful in improving public health outcomes.

DJ: You recently announced a bitcoin treasury strategy — what advantages do you see in pursuing this approach?

Hwang: At Profusa, our goal is to maintain a resilient financial foundation that allows us to deliver on our mission and generate long-term value for shareholders. As part of that approach, we’ve begun incorporating Bitcoin into our treasury strategy. We see Bitcoin as a prudent hedge against macroeconomic risks such as inflation and the gradual erosion of currency value. Its growing maturity as an asset class offers an opportunity to diversify our cash holdings while preserving and potentially enhancing value over time.

This step complements other elements of our capital strategy, including our recently secured $100 million equity line of credit with Ascent Partners, which provides the flexibility to fund innovation, scale operations, and advance our leadership in real-time biosensing for healthcare. By combining strong access to capital with a forward-looking treasury approach, we are safeguarding our resources while positioning Profusa to lead the next generation of digital health solutions.

DJ: What key milestones are on the horizon for Profusa?

Hwang: Our team recently announced the launch of our Lumee Oxygen Platform in Spain, which was an exciting milestone for us as we continue to expand our reach to global markets. 

We’ve achieved CE Mark approval in Europe for our tissue oxygen sensor and are now working to transition that approval to meet the EU’s new Medical Device Regulation (MDR) requirements. In the U.S., we’re progressing toward regulatory clearance for the same sensor, while also preparing to seek approval for our glucose sensor in both the U.S. and European markets.

An important advantage is that many countries in Asia, South America, and Africa reference FDA and CE Mark approvals as the foundation for their own regulatory decisions. Securing these milestones will streamline our pathway to global commercialization, allowing us to bring clinically valuable, cost-accessible biosensing technologies to people worldwide more quickly and efficiently.