Saudi-backed $2 billion health firm Babylon is selling its Canada operations as part of a $70 million licensing deal

Saudi-backed $2 billion health firm Babylon is selling its Canada operations as part of a $70 million licensing deal

$2 billion, Saudi-backed health-tech startup Babylon Health is to sell its Canadian operations to telecoms firm Telus in a change-up to an existing partnership, Insider can reveal.

Babylon Health partnered with Telus' health division, Telus Health, in 2019 to launch a free app that gives Canadian users the ability to schedule virtual appointments with doctors, as well as run any symptoms of illness through a "chatbot" symptom checker. The Babylon by Telus Health app is somewhat similar to Babylon's app in the UK, called GP at Hand.

The partnership saw Babylon set up operations in Canada, hiring on-the-ground clinical operatives and physicians.

Insider understands that Telus is set to acquire Babylon's operations in Canada, and has signed a new multi-year deal to continue licensing its technology. The deal is thought to be worth around $70 million.

Insider learned of the new deal after Babylon CEO Ali Parsa hinted at it during an all-hands meeting.

A spokeswoman for Babylon Health told Insider: "We are delighted to have signed a new long-term strategic partnership and multi-year licensing agreement with Telus.

"With Babylon's focus on the delivery and deployment of our high-quality AI-powered technology platform, Telus will take on operational control of Babylon Canada, while still leveraging Babylon's service