Movers & Shakers Interview with Sumitaka Maruyama, Director - Quantum Operation Inc.

Published Date: 1/28/2021

Sumi (Sumitaka Maruyama) is a Director at Quantum Operation Inc., a company that develops IoT wearable devices, with the aim of "reducing the physical and mental burden of patients" and "realizing a world where people do not get sick or become seriously ill.

 

He holds a Master's degree from the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Engineering. After joining Toshiba Corporation, he was engaged in the research and development of the next generation DVD. He started his own business in 2006, and participated at the founding of Quantum Operation Inc. in 2017.

 

Vishal Sapru (VS), Co-Founder, Cognitio Research Inc. had an opportunity to conduct a Movers & Shakers interview with Sumitaka Maruyama (SM), Director, Quantum Operation Inc.

 

VS:  Can you provide a brief overview of the company including the vision behind its formation?

SM: We Quantum Operation are IoT medical and health startup and have sensing technology with medical level. With our continuous wearable devices and solution, we will contribute to reduce people who suffers illness and to accelerate preventive care.

 

VS: Please, describe your wearable 24/7 glucose monitor? How does it work and how different is it from what is already available in the market?

SM: Our non-invasive glucometer is a world first glucose sensor which is able to monitor continuously for glucose without needle. Existing CGM sensors detect glucose through interstitial fluid. CGM measurement cannot be used to detect sudden signs of hypoglycemia, because there is a time lag between CGM and actual blood glucose due to the characteristics of interstitial fluid glucose acquisition. Also, it cannot be used as a reference value for determining the insulin dosage when administering insulin. Our device can solve these problems.

 

VS: What are some of the likely challenges Quantum Operations is expecting to face in the market and what strategy do you have in place to overcome it?

SM:  At first, we will improve accuracy of our sensor, then we are planning to conduct a clinical trial with the support of Japanese medical institutions. Also, we will get into the process of medical certificate in FDA, CE, etc.

 

VS: There are a lot of glucose monitors available in the market. What is the unique value proposition of your product and its key competitive differentiators? 

SM: Needless is our unique value proposition. With our solution, diabetic patients can avoid prick their fingers everyday and refrain from pain.

 

VS: What is your strategy in regards to offering best value to customers for the price, compared to similar offerings from competitors?

SM: Existing CGM sensors usually needs consumption articles and it takes cost too much. Our product eliminate needles, can reduce consumption articles.

 

VS: What do you want the company to accomplish in next 2 to 5 years and how will you define success for Quantum Operation?

SM: We define our success when we start going into market with our non-invasive glucometer to support diabetics patients and family.

 

VS: Could you elaborate on the acceptance or adoption of your product in the marketplace and are there any client testimonials that can be shared with us? Also, do you foresee the acceptance of your product to have influence (trend setter) on the overall direction of the market?

SM: Our product is now proto-type so there is no testimonial with users. But many inquiries from all over the world we received that they say, “Where I can buy your non-invasive Glucometer and when? I want it immediately and refrain my child from pain”.

 

VS: Are there any unique features of your product that address unmet customer needs and competitors are unable to replicate and replace?

SM: Not only diabetics patients but also we can contribute peoples who aren’t not patient now. With our continuous glucometer people can notice which food make impact on their glucose and it leads to their weight and health.

 

VS: There are vendors in the market with complementing or similar products. How do you compare yourself with such competitors in regards to offering Best-in-Class solution?

SM: Until now we are the best and first place to realize a non-invasive continuous glucometer.

 

VS: What are your marketing and product positioning strategies? Do you plan to form any strategic alliances and/or partnerships? How do you plan to build and strengthen the brand?

SM: Not yet, but we have partners like pharmaceutical company and medical wholesaler. So we will discuss with them.

 

VS: Any other information you may want to share with our readers that may be important and we missed asking?

SM: Our member and I appreciate to have a chance to be interviewed by you. Thank you!

 After the announcement at CES, we have been receiving unexpected number of messages from all over the world. We reinforced our belief that non-invasive glucose sensor is the technology attracting worldwide interest. Also, at the same time, we feel obligated to provide the sensor as soon as possible.