RetiSpec, Topcon Healthcare partner up to expediate diagnostic technology’s commercialization

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RetiSpec and Topcon Healthcare have agreed to a collaborative effort to bring RetiSpec technology to the commercial market. The goal of RetiSpec’s eye diagnostic artificial intelligence (AI) technology is to aid healthcare providers in predicting amyloid burden and detecting risks to brain health through retinal imaging.¹ According to a news release, amyloid burden is a core biomarker of Alzheimer disease that can be detected before symptoms are visible.

“The launch of new disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer disease has created a need for an affordable, accessible diagnostic solution. Dementia specialists carry overwhelming caseloads, so they urgently need better screening tools to triage to other specialists earlier when new treatments are most efficacious at changing disease course,” says RetiSpec CEO Eliav Shaked, MSc, in the release. “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.”

Currently, RetiSpec’s AI diagnostic tool is only available for research use. Once commercialized, the diagnostic tool will be integrated with Topcon Harmony, a device-inclusive and cloud-based clinical data management platform, that will enable early detection of Alzheimer disease. According to the release, the companies expect the collaboration to accelerate the commercialization of the technology. RetiSpec and Topcon Healthcare are looking to also expedite the development other AI-powered diagnostic solutions that utilize the eye for early detection and monitoring of neurodegenerative diseases and side effects of new therapies available for Alzheimer disease.¹

“We are committed to accelerating innovation that enables scalable, affordable Healthcare from the Eye,” said Ali Tafreshi, PhD, CEO and president of Topcon Healthcare, in a news release. “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 disease.”

Reference:

1. RetiSpec, Topcon Healthcare, Inc. announce collaboration, investment to help bring eye-based AI diagnostic tool to market. News release. Topcon Healthcare. April 30, 2024. Accessed May 2, 2024. https://topconhealthcare.com/article/retispec-topcon-healthcare-inc-announce-collaboration-investment-to-help-bring-eye-based-ai-diagnostic-tool-to-market/