Companies aim to expedite the
commercialization of technology designed to detect risks to brain
health through imaging of the retina
TORONTO, April 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ - RetiSpec, Inc., an
innovator in AI-powered eye diagnostics for brain health, and
Topcon Healthcare, Inc. a leading provider of medical
devices and software solutions announced today that Topcon has
invested in RetiSpec and the two companies are collaborating to
bring the RetiSpec technology to market. The collaboration
will bring neurology and eye care closer together.
RetiSpec's clinically validated eye diagnostic AI aims to help
healthcare providers predict amyloid burden, a core biomarker of
Alzheimer's disease, even before symptoms emerge. Currently, the
test is available for Research Use Only; however, once
commercialized and integrated with Topcon Harmony, a
device-inclusive and cloud-based clinical data management platform,
it will enable early detection of Alzheimer's disease and
facilitate timely access to care.
"The launch of new disease modifying therapies for Alzheimer's
disease has created a need for an affordable, accessible diagnostic
solution. Dementia specialists carry overwhelming caseloads, so we
urgently need better screening tools to triage to specialists early
when new treatments are most efficacious at changing disease
course," says RetiSpec CEO, Eliav
Shaked. "Delivering RetiSpec's AI-solution via the Harmony
platform will help meet this need at scale, which could aid in
timely medical management and more equitable access to
treatment."
The collaboration between Topcon Healthcare, Inc. and RetiSpec
will accelerate the commercialization and scale of RetiSpec's first
brain health indication in Alzheimer's disease. It will also help
expedite development of additional AI-powered diagnostic solutions
from the eye for early detection and monitoring of
neurodegenerative diseases and side effects of the new therapies
for Alzheimer's disease.
"We are committed to accelerating innovation that enables
scalable, affordable Healthcare from the Eye," said Ali Tafreshi, CEO and President of Topcon
Healthcare, Inc. "RetiSpec embodies this mission by developing
solutions for early detection of neurological diseases at the point
of care. We are excited to empower them in the fight against
Alzheimer's disease."
About RetiSpec
RetiSpec is a Toronto-based
medical AI company that aims to enable widespread early and
accurate detection of neurodegenerative disease markers through a
simple eye exam. RetiSpec's AI solutions leverage existing retinal
imaging cameras available in most eye clinics to provide real-time
results at the point of care. RetiSpec's first clinically validated
AI is intended to predict amyloid burden to aid in the evaluation
of individuals for Alzheimer's disease. RetiSpec's AI solutions are
currently available for Research Use Only.
RetiSpec acknowledges generous support from the Alzheimer's Drug
Discovery Foundation's Diagnostics Accelerator, Davos Alzheimer's
Collaborative, University of
Minnesota's Center for Drug Design, Ontario Brain Institute,
and Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation. For more
information on RetiSpec, visit retispec.ai.
About Topcon Healthcare
Topcon Healthcare, Inc. is part of Topcon Corporation (TSE
7732). Our vision is to improve access and quality of healthcare
while decreasing the overall cost. To achieve this mission, we have
established Harmony, a platform to accelerate the evolution of
AI-powered algorithms that enable the detection of systemic,
neurological, and ophthalmic disease markers even before
discernable symptoms are present. Topcon Healthcare is investing in
innovators focused on healthcare transformation with an emphasis on
AI-powered digital Healthcare from the Eye. This approach enables
doctors to help prevent disease and, when needed, to treat at the
earliest disease state for better, less costly outcomes.
A truly global business, Topcon Corporation is focused on
developing solutions to solve societal challenges in the
mega-domains of healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure. In
healthcare, these challenges include increasing eye disease, rising
medical costs, physician shortages, and unequal access to
healthcare. By investing in value-driven innovations, Topcon
Corporation works to help people to enjoy good health and a better
quality of life.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/retispectopcon-healthcare-inc-announce-collaboration-investment-to-help-bring-eye-based-ai-diagnostic-tool-to-market-302130269.html
SOURCE RetiSpec Inc.