Amazon Launches Secret Healthcare Team?

Is this the beginning of Amazon’s move into the healthcare industry?

Amazon reportedly launched a secret healthcare team called 1492

Written by Julie Spitzer | July 27, 2017 | Print | Email

Amazon reportedly has a secret healthcare team exploring new technology opportunities in healthcare, including both hardware and software projects, according to CNBC.

The experimental lab is headquartered in Seattle and named 1492, two sources familiar with the matter told CNBC. Its team of researchers is looking at ways to extract data from legacy EHRs to make that information available to patients and their physicians.

The group is also reportedly exploring building a platform for telemedicine and health applications on Amazon hardware, including its Echo and Dash Wand. The sources said it was not clear whether Amazon is developing any new health devices, but they would not rule it out.

Some team members, like project lead Cameron Charles, PhD, list their affiliation with the 1492 project on LinkedIn under the keyword “A1.492.”

“I can’t say anything about what we’re working on, but we’re hiring,” reads Dr. Charles’ profile.

The CNBC report follows other projects suggesting Amazon’s move into the healthcare industry, including the company’s reported hiring of Box executive Missy Krasner and its attempts to expand into the drug and medical supply distribution sector.

Amazon did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.