Melody International

What Melody International does

Melody International Inc. (メロディ・インターナショナル株式会社) is a Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture-based medical device and digital health company founded in July 2015 as a Kagawa University-originated venture. The company has developed and sells the iCTG (models MI1001A and MI1002), a mobile fetal monitor that measures fetal heart rate and uterine contractions via Bluetooth-connected sensors transmitting to a tablet application, along with Central i, a designated controlled medical device central monitoring system that aggregates data from multiple iCTG units into a single web-based surveillance dashboard with JIS-compliant alarm functionality and cloud or on-premise deployment. These devices feed into the Melody i perinatal telemedicine platform, which automates data uploads for remote physician diagnosis and supports inter-facility data sharing, including monitoring continuity during ambulance transport. The company holds PMDA Class II medical device certifications in Japan, ISO 13485:2016 quality system certification, PrivacyMark accreditation, and country-specific registrations in Thailand (FDA), Kenya (PPB), the Philippines (FDA/CDRRHR), and Indonesia (FDA), and is one of eight devices listed in the WHO Compendium of Priority Medical Devices (2024 edition).

The customer base spans hospitals, clinics, and midwifery facilities in Japan — more than 130 hospitals have adopted the iCTG system as of November 2023, with named deployments at facilities such as Kasaoka City Hospital, Otaru Kyokai Hospital, and Kameda General Hospital — and international markets served primarily through JICA technical cooperation projects across Thailand, Bhutan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, Micronesia, and Brazil. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of iCTG devices and Central i systems, supplemented by cloud/software services tied to the Melody i platform, professional services revenue from international aid and development projects (most notably with JICA, UNDP, and IDB Lab), and training services. Distribution is multi-channel: direct sales to medical facilities, a sales partnership with Shimadzu Medical Systems (subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation) for domestic Japan, international distributors such as Paramount Bed Thailand, and JICA-funded project channels for emerging markets. International expansion has included Bhutan's nationwide rollout (55 units introduced via UNDP/JICA in October 2020, with Phase 3 adding 27 units in August 2023 and a December 2025 handover at the Bhutan Ministry of Health) and operations across Thailand, the Philippines, and other markets.

The company was founded by Ichiro Matsubara (Representative Director/CEO) and Yuko Ogata (CCO), with Keiji Ninomiya serving as Director/CIO. Over twelve funding rounds between 2017 and 2024, the company increased registered capital to 165 million yen, including a 150 million yen round in April 2021 (the largest single raise) and a 110 million yen round in November 2023 led by Kyoto University Innovation Capital alongside Tokai Tokyo Investment, Iyogin Capital, and QR Investment. In November 2025, Melody International became a member of Atom Medical Group, a strategic affiliation within the medical device sector. The iCTG system has been deployed in disaster response, including the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake in Ishikawa Prefecture where it supported continuity of obstetric services.

Name

Melody International

Legal name

メロディ・インターナショナル株式会社

Website

https://melody.international

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Melody International is a Japanese medical device company that develops mobile fetal monitoring hardware (iCTG) and a cloud-based perinatal telemedicine platform (Melody i / Central i), serving hospitals, clinics, and midwifery facilities in Japan and developing countries via direct sales, the Shimadzu channel, and JICA partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Devices - Fetal and Maternal Monitoring

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Maternal & Neonatal Remote Monitoring Platforms (HLACAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pregnancy & Prenatal Care Telehealth (OB tele-visits, prenatal monitoring) (HLALAHAC), Maternal, Fetal & Neonatal Monitoring (CTG, Infant Wearables) (HLAHACAF)

Keywords

• Mobile fetal monitoring
• Perinatal telemedicine
• Remote obstetric monitoring
• Medical device manufacturing
• Maternal health technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Takamatsu

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Medical Device Sales: Sale of iCTG mobile fetal monitors and Central i central monitoring systems to hospitals, clinics, and midwifery facilities. One-time hardware sales with potential for recurring service revenue.
2. Cloud/Software Services: Cloud-based data management and remote monitoring services provided through the Melody i platform. Revenue likely generated through subscription or usage-based model integrated with device sales.
3. International Aid/Development Projects: Revenue from JICA and other international development organization projects in developing countries, including equipment supply and training services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Melody International manufactures and sells the iCTG wireless mobile fetal monitor (MI1001A/MI1002) and the Central i central monitoring system as PMDA-certified Class II medical devices, connected through the Melody i cloud-based perinatal telemedicine platform to enable remote fetal heart rate and contraction monitoring, cross-facility data sharing, and real-time diagnosis by obstetricians. The company sells these systems to hospitals, clinics, and midwifery facilities in Japan and internationally, including deployments via JICA and UNDP development projects in Thailand, Bhutan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, Micronesia, and Brazil.

Product overview

Melody International offers a perinatal telemedicine platform ecosystem centered around Melody i, with two main product categories: (1) the iCTG (MI1001A/MI1002) mobile fetal monitoring device that measures fetal heart rate and contractions via Bluetooth-enabled sensors connected to a tablet app, and (2) the Central i central monitoring system that aggregates data from multiple iCTG units across locations for centralized surveillance. The iCTG serves as the core measurement hardware deployed at hospitals, clinics, and homes, while Central i enables multi-site data consolidation and centralized monitoring for regional healthcare coordination. Both devices are regulated Class II medical devices in Japan with designated controlled medical device certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Melody i: Perinatal telemedicine platform — cloud-based system connecting pregnant women and medical professionals for remote fetal monitoring and communication.
• iCTG (Mobile Fetal Monitor)
• Central i (分娩監視セントラルシステム)
• Kamome Medical (カモメ・ナチュラル)

Products and services

• Melody i Perinatal Telemedicine Platform (メロディ・アイ) Cloud-based perinatal telemedicine platform that automatically transmits fetal heart rate (CTG) and uterine contraction measurement data via cloud server, allowing physicians to perform remote diagnosis and provide advice from any location. Connects expectant mothers and medical practitioners across hospitals, clinics, midwifery facilities, ambulances, and homes, supporting remote consultation and continuous monitoring during pregnancy and labor.
• iCTG Mobile Fetal Monitor (MI1001A / MI1002) (分娩監視装置 iCTG) Wireless mobile fetal monitor that measures fetal heart rate and uterine contractions via Bluetooth-connected abdominal sensors linked to a tablet application for real-time display. Data is automatically uploaded to a cloud server for remote physician access. Designated controlled medical device certified by PMDA (certification number 230AFBZX00024000), usable in hospitals, clinics, ambulances, homes, and disaster settings.
• Central i Central Monitoring System (分娩監視セントラルシステム Central i) Maternal-fetal central monitoring program that aggregates data from multiple iCTG units via cloud or on-premise server for centralized simultaneous surveillance. Enables monitoring from wards, outpatient clinics, affiliated facilities, and home, with web-browser CTG graph display, JIS-compliant alarms, customizable split-screen views, historical access, tablet compatibility, and nursing record/SOAP notation. Class II designated controlled medical device (certification number 305AFBZX00102000).

Quantifiable outcome

• 130+ hospitals in Japan have adopted iCTG
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Atom Medical Group (アトムメディカルグループ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 November 2025Became a member of Atom Medical Group in November 2025. This corporate group membership provides strategic alignment and potential synergies within the medical device/healthcare sector.
• Shimadzu Medical Systems (島津メディシステム株式会社)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 February 2024Formal sales partnership for domestic Japan market. Shimadzu Medical Systems, a subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation, will distribute iCTG mobile fetal monitors and Central i central monitoring systems. Partnership expanded from trial collaboration to full-scale commercial deployment.
• JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2017Multiple JICA projects including grassroot technical cooperation in Thailand (2017-), Bhutan maternal health project (2020-, Phase 3 from 2023), Philippines healthcare international expansion (2022), and various other international development initiatives. JICA International Cooperation Award received February 2026.
• Paramount Bed Thailand (パラマウントベッドタイランド)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor in Thailand market. Co-exhibited at Techsauce Global Summit 2023. Supports local sales and customer engagement activities in Thailand.
• Kagawa University (香川大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding academic partner. Melody International certified as Kagawa University venture (June 2018). Long-standing collaboration including joint research, international project coordination, and talent development. University professors serve as advisors.
• Chiang Mai University (チェンマイ大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThai academic partner for JICA grassroots projects since founding. Hosts Melody International Thailand office. Collaborates on remote healthcare training and maternal health programs in northern Thailand.
• Ishikawa Prefecture / Ishikawa Prefectural Central HospitalmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration on remote分娩監視 system connecting hospitals and clinics in Ishikawa Prefecture. System proved critical during 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake for maintaining obstetric services.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Bhutan deployment. UNDP initiative in October 2020 enabled introduction of 55 iCTG units across Bhutan for maternal health improvement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nihon Kohden: Japan-headquartered medical device manufacturer with a strong fetal monitoring and patient monitoring portfolio. Directly comparable to Melody as it sells CTG/fetal monitors to the same Japanese hospital customer base, though it is a far larger incumbent with a broader product line.
• Toitu: Long-established Japanese manufacturer of fetal monitoring and obstetric equipment. Competes head-to-head with Melody in Japan for hospital CTG sales, with decades of installed base and brand recognition among obstetricians.
• Huntleigh (Arjo): Specialist in fetal and vascular monitoring equipment, including Sonicaid CTG products. Directly comparable as a focused fetal monitoring vendor competing in the same clinical niche with global hospital distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Philips: Global incumbent in maternal-fetal monitoring through its Avalon CTG series and broader patient monitoring portfolio. Competes in the same clinical category across international markets with far greater sales reach and bundled offerings.
• GE Healthcare: Major global player in fetal monitoring and perinatal care through its Corometrics and Centricity product lines. Comparable as an enterprise-scale maternal monitoring vendor with established global distribution and hospital IT integration.
• Mindray: Large Chinese medical device manufacturer offering fetal monitoring as part of a broad patient monitoring portfolio. Comparable on device manufacturing scale, pricing competitiveness, and emerging-market hospital sales motion.
• Spacelabs Healthcare (OSI Systems): US-based patient monitoring and diagnostic company with fetal monitoring offerings. Comparable on integrated patient monitoring systems sold to hospital networks, though operating at a much larger scale and broader clinical scope.

Emerging players

• Bionet: Mid-sized medical device company offering fetal monitoring and patient monitoring products. Comparable as a smaller specialist competing against larger incumbents in similar price-sensitive market segments.
• Edan Instruments: Chinese medical device manufacturer with fetal monitoring and patient monitoring products. Comparable as an emerging player expanding internationally with cost-competitive offerings targeting similar hospital and clinic segments.
• Contec Medical Systems: Chinese manufacturer of patient monitoring devices including fetal monitors. Comparable as an emerging global player in maternal-fetal monitoring with broad product portfolio and growing international distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/melody1nternational
• Xx.com/melody_int_ltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/melody-international

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Melody International