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CareersRoche for a Better Future: Ophthalmology Innovation Challenge Pilot & Program Finalists
Health Tech
Ophthalmology innovation is increasingly relevant as a rapidly aging global population means more vision-impaired patients per capita.
Retinal diseases are a major cause of vision impairment and blindness worldwide, affecting millions of people. These conditions range from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy to retinal detachment and inherited retinal diseases.
Roche, Startup Nation Central, and Beilinson Hospital share a common vision of providing enhanced digital health solutions that significantly improve retina patients’ lives and support their caregivers by enabling monitoring, enhancing patient support, and optimizing screening and diagnosis.
Main Challenges
- Prevalence: The global prevalence of retinal diseases is increasing, partly due to aging populations and the rising incidence of diabetes. The projected number of people living with the two of the leading causes of vision loss – Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) and Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) – is set to grow from 20 and 21 million people respectively in 2020 to approximately 29 and 43 million in 2024.
- Diagnosis and Access: Early diagnosis and access to treatment are significant challenges, especially in low-resource settings. Many retinal diseases progress silently until they reach advanced stages, making early detection critical.
- Treatment: While there have been advances in treatments, such as anti-VEGF therapy for AMD and laser therapy for diabetic retinopathy, these treatments require prompt administration and ongoing monitoring.
Leading Ophthalmology Innovation Solutions
Innovative technologies are transforming the landscape of retinal disease management:
- AI-based Diagnostic Tools: AI algorithms are being developed to analyze retinal images with high accuracy, enabling early detection of diseases like diabetic retinopathy and AMD.
- Remote Monitoring Services: Platforms like Notal Vision offer remote monitoring for patients with retinal diseases, facilitating early intervention and personalized care.
- Wearable and Portable Devices: Advances in wearable and portable imaging devices are making retinal screenings more accessible, allowing for early detection and monitoring outside traditional clinical settings.
Israel’s Global Role in Ophthalmology Innovation
Israel is at the forefront of developing digital health solutions for retinal diseases – as shown by the collaboration between Roche, Startup Nation Central, and Beilinson Hospital.
This partnership is an extension of Israel’s commitment to innovation in healthcare, including in ophthalmology. Israeli startups and research institutions are making significant contributions to the field with cutting-edge technologies and platforms aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and patient engagement.
The Roche for a Better Future Ophthalmology Innovation Challenge & Pilot Program highlights Israel’s role in driving global innovation in retinal health, offering a platform for startups to showcase their solutions.
Out of the dozens of applicants, only six finalists were chosen to compete in the global showcase final event.
Roche for a Better Future Finalists
The Roche for a Better Future Ophthalmology Innovation Challenge & Pilot Program is a groundbreaking platform that offers a unique package for the winning startup.
This includes a clinical pilot at Beilinson Hospital, valued at up to 200,000 NIS, comprehensive mentorship, exposure to IIA acceleration programs, a fast track for submission to Helsinki Committees, global exposure, and the chance to collaborate with Roche.
Here are the innovative companies that have made it to the final round of the Ophthalmology Innovation Challenge:
WINNER ANNOUNCED MARCH 4th 2024: NOTAL VISION
Notal Vision provides remote patient monitoring services for retinal diseases, extending eye disease management from the clinic to the home to improve vision outcomes. Their Notal Home OCT is a first-of-its-kind AI-enabled program for monitoring neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) using home-based OCT technology.
FINALISTS
AEYE Health offers fully autonomous, AI-based diagnostic screening solutions for retinal imaging, focusing on delivering best-in-class results. They have developed an innovative AI-based diagnostic screening system for diabetic retinopathy, which has received FDA clearance. AEYE Health has also announced partnerships to enhance point-of-care diabetic retinopathy screening with their AI technology. Their system provides analysis and diagnostic results within 60 seconds, aiming to revolutionize diabetic retinopathy screening.
GistMD offers a personalized patient engagement platform that provides a flexible and patient-centered framework for bridging communication gaps between patients and healthcare providers. Their platform is being implemented in over 34 medical centers globally, aiming to empower patients in their healthcare journey with personalized educational content.
The Computer-Aided Surgery and Medical Image Processing (CASMIP) Lab, led by Prof. Leo Joskowicz, conducts groundbreaking research in AI for eye disease diagnosis using various imaging techniques. The lab focuses on developing disease progression monitoring technologies and has significantly contributed to medical image processing and computer-aided surgery.
Xoltar is an AI-powered patient engagement and adherence platform that offers a conversational AI platform designed for long-lasting patient engagement, focusing on medical adherence. Their mobile app enables interaction with generative AI-based accountability partners in real-time, aiming to improve patient adherence and engagement through personalized interactions.
Looking Towards a Better, Brighter Future
The fight against retinal diseases is being bolstered by technological advancements and international collaborations.
Israel’s vibrant tech ecosystem, characterized by innovative startups and research excellence, plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of retinal disease management.
Through initiatives like the Roche Ophthalmology Innovation Challenge, Israel continues to contribute to global efforts in improving the lives of patients with retinal diseases, demonstrating the country’s leadership in healthcare innovation.