When Apple calls, “it’s the kiss of death”

It looked like a dream partnership when Apple Inc. reached out to Joe Kiani, the founder of a company that manufactures blood oxygen measuring devices. He thought his technology was a perfect fit for the Apple Watch.

Shortly after meeting him, Apple began hiring employees from his company, Masimo Corp., including engineers and its chief medical officer. Apple offered to double their salaries, Kiani said. In 2019, Apple issued patents under the name of a former Masimo engineer for sensors similar to Masimo’s, documents show. The following year, Apple released a watch capable of measuring blood oxygen levels.