Medicalgorithmics, a technology company part of the sWIG80 index, has signed an agreement with American Heart of Poland, the operator of the Polish-American Heart Clinics network of cardiology departments, to collaborate on a research project. The project, titled “Comparative study of predictive models for the analysis of coronary artery stenosis”, is being conducted by Medicalgorithmics.
According to the terms of the agreement, American Heart of Poland (AHP) will participate in a comparative study of the VCAST product, which utilizes prototype predictive models of AI/ML algorithms for the automatic detection of coronary artery stenosis based on heart CT data. As part of the project, the VCAST software will be used to diagnose 200 patients suspected of having coronary artery disease. While waiting for CE certification to be completed, Medicalgorithmics will use the results of this study in the development of new functionalities for VCAST software.
“The enrichment of the analysis of coronary artery computed tomography with an evaluation using artificial intelligence can bring significant benefits to patients in the form of implementing the best targeted treatment, which should result in a reduction of the number of cardiovascular incidents. Support for diagnostics and treatment with AI algorithms can significantly improve not only treatment outcomes, but also facilitate the work of therapeutic teams in caring for patients with cardiovascular disease”, says Dr. Adam Janas, professor at UK and the lead researcher on the project.
VCAST (Virtual Heart Stress Test) is an advanced cloud software developed by Kardiolytics, a Medicalgorithmics subsidiary. It allows for non-invasive assessment of coronary artery condition using AI algorithms to identify and analyze stenotic lesions caused by the presence of atherosclerotic plaque. The analysis in VCAST is based on images from heart CT scans, which allows the generation of detailed 3D models of patient’s coronary vessels and a report analyzing blood flow, which assists doctors in diagnosing and monitoring coronary artery disease. Compared to currently widely used, costly and highly invasive hospital diagnostic procedures (coronary angiography), VCAST offers a completely non-invasive, faster, significantly cheaper and therefore more accessible diagnostic method for coronary artery disease.
“We are pleased that the largest private network of cardiology departments in Poland, servicing over 230,000 patients annually, will support us in the development of VCAST. The joint research project will not only deepen our knowledge about the application of AI technology in the diagnosis of coronary disease, but will also allow us to evaluate its impact and adaptation to the clinical needs of cardiologists in daily practice. We hope that after completing the CE certification process, this research project will become the basis for further commercialization of the VCAST technology within the AHP Group”, says Przemysław Tadla, a board member and CTO at Medicalgorithmics and CEO of Kardiolytics.
The Medicalgorithmics subsidiary, Kardiolytics, is in the process of certifying VCAST technology according to CE requirements for the European Union market. After obtaining certification, the company plans to start commercializing the solution on European markets and will apply to the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) for the technology’s approval for the US market under Procedure 510(k).
Medicalgorithmics is preparing for the commercialization of VCAST technology and is building a customer base who, after completion of the CE certification process, will use the solution in the diagnosis of coronary disease. In July, the company announced the signing of an agreement with the Multispecialist Hospital SPZOZ in Nowa Sól to use VCAST in one of the research projects. In addition, Medicalgorithmics has also signed a letter of intent with Diagnostyka Group – the leader in medical diagnostics market in Poland – regarding the commercial implementation of VCAST technology. The company also held talks with international partners interested in commercializing VCAST on European markets.
The Polish company is not the first in the world to develop non-invasive technology for blood flow analysis for the diagnosis of coronary disease. Regulatory approval in the US for the commercialization of a similar solution is held by American company HeartFlow. The company raised over $600 million for further development and introduction of the product to other markets. According to recent information, the company is valued at $1.5 billion. Another competitor of Medicalgorithmics is Cleerly – an American company that has raised nearly $300 million from investors and is valued close to $1 billion (data via dealroom.co). The firm also offers software for non-invasive coronary vessel analysis and atherosclerotic plaque analysis.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/medicalgorithmics-ma-umowe-z-american-heart-of-poland-na-wykorzystanie-technologii-vcast-80655
