Words by Jade Williams
Here, GOLD highlights the development of four new technological tools. From artificial intelligence modelling to advancements in the app space, these examples are set to amplify pharma’s ability to deliver value for patients and HCPs
Researchers tap into tunes to detect cognitive decline
A new method for detecting and measuring cognitive decline in older people has been discovered by researchers from Tel Aviv University. Made possible through a portable EEG device, the test works by measuring the electrical activity of a participant’s brain as they carry out musical-cognitive tasks such as pressing a button when a specific instrument is played in a melody. The researchers believe the method could pave the way towards early detection of cognitive decline.
Roche to improve pulse scanning tech with new app
British MedTech company TestCard is collaborating with the pharma giant Roche to have its technology ClearScreen included on Roche’s Cobas Pulse scanning technology. The app can read, record and report the results of medical tests at point of care to then share the data with clinicians and the patient’s electronic records. This technology will remove subjectivity from analyses of pulse scanning tests and give immediate and precise results.
Advancing drug discovery with Cardiac organoids
HeartBeat.bio, which develops cardiac organoids for use in drug discovery, has entered a co-development agreement with life science technology innovator Molecular Devices to take cardiovascular high-throughput screening to the next level. This collaboration will provide automated solutions to improve model disease physiology, discover novel drug targets in preclinical research and test cardiac toxicity using 3D cell cultures that more accurately represent human biology than animal models.
AI model detects Parkinson’s through breathing patterns
A neural network technology able to detect whether someone has Parkinson’s disease has been developed by researchers from MIT and other prestigious institutions. The technology assesses nocturnal breathing patterns to discern the severity of potential disease progression. Medical studies have shown that respiratory symptoms can manifest years before the characteristic motor symptoms develop, so this new innovation may be able to detect the disease before it takes a physical form.
This tech news round up features in GOLD 24 – read the full issue here.