February 29, 2024 | Owkin-Amazon Web Services partner on AI-assisted diagnostics, Diagnexia announced a significant collaborative agreement with Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Nairobi; X-trodes announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted 510(k) clearance for X-trodes' Smart Skin solution (marketed as X-trodes System M); PathAI has announced an expanded and exclusive relationship with Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) that will bring AI-enabled interpretation to companion diagnostics; and more.
Diagnexia announced a significant collaborative agreement with Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Nairobi. This partnership marks a strategic step in enhancing pathology services and spearheading advancements in AI-driven diagnostics. Under this agreement, Diagnexia's network of esteemed pathologists will provide expert secondary consultations to the AKUH Pathology department. This collaboration is a testament to Diagnexia's dedication to bringing subspecialty pathology expertise to regions in need, significantly improving diagnostic quality, patient care, and ensuring effective treatment approaches. Press release.
X-trodes announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted 510(k) clearance for X-trodes' Smart Skin solution (marketed as X-trodes System M), a new wireless wearable technology for advanced electrophysiological monitoring. X-trodes' Smart Skin is comprised of customizable dry-printed multi-modal electrode patches. It monitors a wide range of biopotential signals from anywhere on the body to acquire EEG (brain activity), EKG/ECG (cardiac monitoring), EOG (eye movement), and EMG (muscle activity) data. The discreet patches are easy to apply and comfortable to wear, conforming to the body without requiring gels, wires, or uncomfortable solutions. Press release.
Neogap Therapeutics has been granted a patent in Australia that covers a tolerogenic treatment method for multiple sclerosis (MS). The method uses specially designed molecules to influence the immune system's response, conditioning it to tolerate the body's cells instead of mistakenly attacking them. Correcting the immune system's misguided reactions is crucial in treating MS. The patent is valid until 2038. Beyond its application in MS treatment, the patent also incorporates methods for diagnosing MS, thus improving the prospects for early detection and treatment of the disease. Press release.
Wasatch Biolabs launched a proprietary Targeted DNA Methylation Sequencing Service for researchers and clinical service providers. The technique is amplification and bisulfite conversion free, effectively bypassing the most common limitations of targeted methylation analysis and enabling WBL to create custom methylation panels that target an unprecedented hundreds-to-thousands of genomic loci of interest with an enrichment of 400-2300x. Press release.
PathAI has announced an expanded and exclusive relationship with Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) that will bring AI-enabled interpretation to companion diagnostics. Building upon the success of their initial partnership announced in October of 2021, this expanded collaboration will provide an integrated and streamlined solution for biopharma sponsors looking to develop AI-enabled companion diagnostics. Under this agreement, PathAI will exclusively work with Roche Tissue Diagnostics (RTD) to develop AI-enabled digital pathology algorithms in the companion diagnostics space. RTD will work exclusively with PathAI for a pre-specified term as the sole external algorithm development company for AI-powered companion diagnostics, while retaining the ability to continue to develop its own algorithms for companion diagnostics. PathAI will retain the ability to freely develop algorithms outside of companion diagnostics. Press release.
Founders of Genexia developed artificial intelligence to diagnose coronary artery disease risk during a mammogram—providing women with an important additional preventative diagnostic health marker. Genexia aims to use explainable AI in mammograms for early detection of coronary artery disease to significantly reduce deaths and quality of life degradation for women. Press release.
Owkin announced it is working with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to transform drug discovery, de-risk and accelerate clinical trials, and develop AI diagnostics. Owkin will leverage AWS’s proven global infrastructure and secure, extensive, and reliable cloud platform to enhance data operations, optimize for operational excellence, and drive forward research in precision medicine. Press release.
PathogenDx announced the launch of D3 Array-UTI, a differentiated multiplexed PCR test that detects 26 pathogens and 12 antibiotic resistance gene markers to aid clinicians in delivering rapid UTI treatment. Powered by the Company's novel multiplexed molecular diagnostics technology, D3 Array-UTI features testing in triplicate for quality assurance, with qualitative and quantitative results in the same reaction, as well as automated, cloud-based data analysis, reporting, and management. Press release.
Twist Bioscience launched the cfDNA Library Preparation Kit to enable liquid biopsy research. Liquid biopsy tests are designed to accurately identify tumor variants within circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), which are often difficult to detect due to degraded or limited DNA presence. The Twist cfDNA Library Preparation Kit was purpose-built to maximize the number of unique cfDNA molecules that are captured in library preparation, for higher confidence in the accuracy and sensitivity of liquid biopsy tests. Press release.
Generation Lab, which is extending the human healthspan with the first test based on biomedical evidence that measures an individual’s biological age progression, officially launched out of stealth. The company is announcing its pre-seed funding and the opening of its test kit waitlist. Co-founded by Irina Conboy, a preeminent aging and longevity researcher from UC Berkeley, Generation Lab combines a simple cheek-swab test with proprietary techniques to definitively measure molecular disbalance that indicates aging and risk of disease. The company works with clinicians who can recommend personalized interventions, and Generation Lab can measure the effectiveness of these over time. Press release.
Vector Laboratories and Navinci Diagnostics have signed an agreement. This collaboration aims to develop cutting-edge biomarker discovery tools, allowing detection of specific protein glycosylation in tissue samples for the first time. Product launches are scheduled for 2025. The collaboration between Vector Laboratories and Navinci Diagnostics will empower researchers’ ability to understand the glycosylation state of specific protein targets in the spatial context of tissue. This new innovative approach simplifies the detection of this challenging post-translational modification. Press release.
Personalis and ClearNote Health unveiled an alliance through which Personalis will expand its pharmaceutical service offerings by distributing ClearNote’s cutting-edge epigenomic 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) platform. Press release.