(Yicai) April 2 -- Alibaba Health is not in talks with HaoDF, one of China's first telemedicine platforms, about a possible acquisition, China News Agency's Economic View reported today, citing the pair.

A rumor circulating on social media today claimed that after a pause, the two platforms for doctor consultation and drug prescription have restarted negotiations and made breakthroughs on key issues. The rumor added that Baidu, JD Health, and other big platforms had contacted HaoDF earlier but no deal came through due to disagreements on acquisition price, business integration, and values.

HaoDF said to Economic View that the firm does not respond to questions about a potential fundraiser or acquisition as these are business secrets.

Founded in 2006, HaoDF is a pioneer in medical consultation and drug sales online. More than 10,000 hospitals and 820,000 doctors, including 230,000 doctors at public hospitals, were registered on the platform as of last July. 

Founder Wang Hang said that HaoDF expects to finally have broken even last year. However, there is uncertainty due to the medical industry's long cycle, the report added. After several rounds of personnel adjustments, HaoDF has reduced its headcount to less than 50, compared with a peak of over 1,000.

Before 2017, HaoDF secured several rounds of financing from DCM China, TrustBridge Partners, and Tencent Holdings.

Editor: Emmi Laine