The Japan Times - IR-MED and Dice Technologies Announce collaboration to Evaluate and Advance Pressure-Injury Prevention Platform in Japan

IR-MED Ltd. (OTC: IRME) (the "Company" or "IR-Med"), developer of infrared spectroscopy-based medical device technology,, and Dice Technologies Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese healthcare digital transformation and medical IT provider, today announced the signing of a LOI. The LOI sets forth a framework for the parties to cooperate in the evaluation, research support, localization, commercialization preparation and regulatory preparation of IR-MED's PressureSafe™ device for the Japanese market. Except for certain provisions relating to confidentiality and data protection, intellectual property rights, and device management, return and disposal, the LOI is not intended to create legally binding obligations between the parties.

Ultimately, the partnership is driven by a shared, transformative vision: Build pressure-injury prevention platform — device, AI, and EHR systems unified across hospitals, LTC, and home care nation wide

The parties intend to evaluate PressureSafe™ for use in hospitals, long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings in Japan, with a focus on supporting the assessment of early signs of pressure injuries.

PressureSafe™ is a medical device that uses infrared technology to support the assessment of early changes associated with pressure injuries and skin conditions. It provides real-time, on-site, non-thermal and blood-flow-related indicators intended to support, and not replace, the clinical judgment of nurses and physicians. PressureSafe™ combines infrared spectroscopy with a proprietary algorithm and is intended to support the assessment of early signs of pressure injuries.

Market Need in Japan

Japan is facing an unprecedented demographic and systemic challenge. With an aging population of 36.19 million individuals aged 65 and older (29.4% of the total population), national care expenditures have reached a record ¥11.94 trillion. Concurrently, the healthcare sector is bracing for a projected shortage of hundreds of thousands of nurses and approximately 300,000 care workers.

This convergence of an aging population and severe workforce shortages has driven a significant increase in the prevalence of pressure injuries—particularly in the rapidly growing home care sector, which reports a 1.93% prevalence rate. To address this, Japan requires scalable, technology-assisted care solutions across its approximately 8,000 hospitals (1.2 million beds), 13,600 long-term care facilities (1.0 million residents), and 18,042 home-visit nursing agencies.

A complementary Strategic Synergy

The collaboration between IR-MED and Dice Technologies represents a highly complementary alignment of technological innovation and domestic operational mastery.

• The Technology & Science Engine (IR-MED): IR-MED brings its proprietary PressureSafe™ sensors, predictive AI algorithms, and a foundation of global clinical data. The technology addresses the crucial "Layer 1" of early risk assessment—sub-epidermal tissue health—providing objective metrics to a field that has historically relied on subjective visual observation.
• The Domestic Commercial & Integration Leader (Dice Technologies): Dice Technologies will lead and coordinate the evaluation program in Japan. Leveraging an established nationwide footprint serving over 1,000 clinics well-distributed across Japan, Dice Technologies will support Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (“PMDA”) consultation preparation and regulatory communications in Japan.. Crucially, Dice Technologies bridges the gap between device and daily workflow by integrating PressureSafe™ data into its existing CareNest platform and domestic Electronic Health Records (“EHR” ), creating a seamless data flow from the hospital to the patient's home.

Phased Rollout and Clinical Validation

The partnership will execute a highly structured, reverse L-shaped Go-to-Market strategy. The initial phase will focus on real-world evaluations in long-term care (“LTC”) and home-visit settings to generate clinical utility data and user feedback.

Simultaneously, the partners will advance rigorous clinical research and PMDA consultation to support the regulatory pathway for PressureSafe™ in Japan. This validation process will be bolstered by anticipated cooperation with Japanese clinical leaders, including the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Kobe University, subject to required ethics review, institutional approvals and separate written arrangements.

Executive Commentary

Ken Ishiga, President and Representative Director of Dice Technologies Co., Ltd., stated, "Japan's care crisis cannot be solved with isolated tools. We must unify prevention, observation, and discharge support. By combining IR-MED’s extraordinary 'sensing the invisible' technology with our EHR integrations and CareNest platform, we are delivering on our shared vision to build a continuous, patient-centered care infrastructure that supports our overstretched healthcare workforce over the long term."

"Entering the Japanese market requires more than just groundbreaking technology; it requires a deep integration into the local care ecosystem. In Dice Technologies, we have found the perfect partner," said Dr. Yaniv Cohen, Interim CEO and Chief Scientific Officer of IR-MED. "Their expertise in medical IT, their impressive footprint serving over 1,000 care facilities, and their ability to navigate PMDA regulations make them the ideal catalyst for PressureSafe™. Together, we are not just evaluating a device; we are working toward a new national standard for objective, preventive care."

About IR-MED Ltd.

IR-MED Ltd. is developing a cutting-edge infrared spectroscopy and AI analysis platform technology as a basis for point-of-care decision support devices. The infrared spectroscopy technology allows harmless and non-invasive gathering of bio-information from patient blood and tissue. That data is then processed by the Company's AI-based system to provide healthcare professionals with decision support in the assessment of various medical conditions. PressureSafe™, the Company's lead platform product, is a handheld device designed to revolutionize the assessment of pressure injuries (PI) affecting skin and underlying tissue regardless of patient skin tone. IR-MED holds patents protecting its innovations in non-invasive tissue assessment.

For more information, visit: https://www.ir-medical.com/

About Dice Technologies Co., Ltd.

Based in Osaka, Japan, Dice Technologies Co., Ltd. specializes in comprehensive digital solutions optimized for clinics, hospitals, and welfare facilities. Backed by a strong national footprint encompassing over 1,000 clinics well-distributed across Japan, the company streamlines healthcare workflows through advanced medical IT systems, seamless electronic medical record (EMR) migrations, medical device distribution, and innovative home assessment applications. Dice Technologies leverages technology and community partnership to reduce operational burdens and build a sustainable healthcare future.

For more information, visit: https://d-technologies.co.jp/

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. Statements that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding the timing and success of the strategic partnership, the activities contemplated by the LOI, the clinical evaluation results, PMDA regulatory consultations and classification, and commercial acceptance of PressureSafe™ in Japan, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including regulatory delays, the non-binding nature of most provisions of the LOI, clinical trial outcomes, competition, and general economic conditions. IR-MED undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Sources:

Statistics Bureau of Japan, Statistical Topics No.146 (published 14 Sep 2025) / MHLW, "Japan's Population" / MHLW, Report on the Status of Long-Term Care Insurance (Nov 2024) / MHLW, Survey of Long-Term Care Benefit Expenditures FY2024 (published 30 Sep 2025) / MHLW, Survey of Institutions and Establishments for Long-Term Care 2024 (published Dec 2025) / MHLW, Survey of Medical Institutions and Hospital Report 2024 (published 26 Sep 2025; confirmed figures as of 1 Oct 2024)

Investor & Media Contacts:

IR-MED Ltd. Investor Relations Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.ir-medical.com/

Dice Technologies Co., Ltd.

Website: https://d-technologies.co.jp

Contact

Source article: https://financewire.com/2026/09/16/ir-med-and-dice-technologies-announce-collaboration-to-evaluate-and-advance-pressure-injury-prevention-platform-in-japan/

T.Shimizu--JT