In a landmark moment for the New Zealand healthcare technology sector, HEALWELL AI (TSX: AIDX), a global leader in healthcare AI, has successfully completed the acquisition of Orion Health, setting the stage for a transformative future for healthcare delivery.

HEALWELL AI is renowned for its world-class, clinically validated AI capabilities, which are already improving patient outcomes and streamlining healthcare systems across North America and beyond.

Concurrent with the acquisition, a strategic divestment has led to the formation of McCrae Tech, a cutting-edge innovation hub headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand. This strategic realignment will bring the best of AI and health technology to hospitals and patients across New Zealand.

Delivering better outcomes for New Zealanders

This acquisition extends HEALWELL’s expertise into New Zealand’s healthcare system where Orion Health’s products are employed. This will empower healthcare providers with enhanced decision-making tools, predictive analytics, and automation capabilities — improving patient care, streamlining hospital workflows, and ultimately delivering better health outcomes for Kiwis.

“Orion Health has always been at the forefront of healthcare technology, and this next step ensures that the hospitals and healthcare organisations using our platforms will benefit from HEALWELL AI’s groundbreaking research and advanced AI capabilities,” said Brad Porter, CEO of Orion Health.

“The integration of HEALWELL AI’s capabilities into Orion Health’s established platform will provide New Zealand hospitals with enhanced insights, early-warning systems for clinical deterioration, and improved population health intelligence — all in real time. This will enable healthcare providers to anticipate and respond to patient needs more effectively, improving outcomes at both the individual and system-wide levels.”

Orion Health will maintain its New Zealand headquarters with Auckland and Christchurch continuing to be the primary research and development hubs.

Introducing McCrae Tech – A bold new hub for healthcare innovation

Founded and 100% owned by Ian McCrae, McCrae Tech will serve as a hub for cutting-edge health technology – specialist, modular and data-driven – designed to improve patient outcomes and streamline health service delivery.

McCrae Tech takes ownership of the Hospital Electronic Patient Record and other data-related products originally developed within Orion Health, which are already tightly integrated into healthcare systems across New Zealand and globally. Public hospitals across the South Island, alongside private hospitals like Kaweka and Franklin, have already improved efficiency, enhanced patient safety, and streamlined clinical workflows. Further expansion is underway across both the public and private sectors with improving the clinician experience and enhancing care quality.

“McCrae Tech is about driving real change in healthcare,” said Ian McCrae, founder of Orion Health and McCrae Tech. “My personal journey using AI to fight brain cancer has given me a deep understanding of how this technology can transform healthcare. McCrae Tech will channel this insight into creating AI-driven solutions that deliver tangible benefits to patients and healthcare providers alike.”

Under McCrae Tech, Lucy Porter will be heading up the game-changing health-specialist data platform (Orchestral) in market, while Niru Rajakumar will continue to champion the Hospital Electronic Patient Record as CEO of McCrae Hospitals.

“We have hit the ground running and are wasting no time building value for our customers in healthcare, with ambitious goals for our first 12 months,” says Ian McCrae.

Continued Choice and Seamless Integration

Orion Health and McCrae Tech have established supply agreements, ensuring that new and existing customers can seamlessly procure products from either company. Hospitals and health providers using Orion Health’s Clinical Workstation and eAdmissions products, as well as McCrae Tech’s Hospital Electronic Patient Record and data-related products, will continue to receive the same great service and support.

“HEALWELL AI’s expertise in healthcare AI — combined with Orion Health’s deep understanding of health data and McCrae Tech’s focus on innovation — creates an incredibly powerful platform for transformation,” said McCrae.

“This is about more than just business — it’s about building a healthcare ecosystem that works better for patients, providers, and the entire healthcare sector,” said McCrae. “With HEALWELL’s AI capabilities integrated into Orion Health’s proven solutions, and McCrae Tech driving the next wave of AI innovation, we are setting the stage for a new era in healthcare.”

Brad Porter added, “The combination of Orion Health, HEALWELL AI and McCrae Tech puts New Zealand at the epicentre of innovative healthtech — and it’s exactly what our healthcare system needs.” 

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