RetiSpec News
11 articles
growth-positive
RetiSpec Closes $10M USD to Advance Commercialization of its AI-Driven Eye Test for Detection of Alzheimer's Disease
RetiSpec Inc., a Toronto-based company specializing in AI-driven eye diagnostics for brain health, has successfully closed a $10 million USD Series A financing round. This funding will accelerate the commercialization of RetiSpecs technology aimed at early detection of Alzheimers disease. The financing was led by iGan Partners and included new investors such as Eli Lilly and Company and Topcon Healthcare, Inc., along with existing investors. The investment brings RetiSpecs total fundraising to $17 million USD. The company plans to use the funds to scale its AI-driven retinal imaging solutions, which are currently available for research use, and to develop additional diagnostics for neurodegenerative diseases. RetiSpec will also participate in the Bio-Hermes-002 study to further validate its technology.
InvestmentPartners
growth-positive
Building innovation in brain research & care | Ontario Brain Institute
RetiSpec, an Ontario Brain Institute portfolio company, has launched a program for early detection of Alzheimers disease in collaboration with the Toronto Memory Program and the Alzheimers Society of Toronto. The program uses retinal scans to measure amyloid proteins, a key marker of Alzheimers disease found in blood vessels of the eye. The initiative recently received significant funding from the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative. The project aims to screen for Alzheimers disease early, sometimes even before cognitive symptoms are present, to begin treatment and lifestyle interventions known to slow the diseases progression.
CustomersPartnersInvestment
growth-positive
iGan Arabia's leading portfolio companies selected to present at the flagship 6th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh
Two portfolio companies of iGan Arabia, Moleculight and Retispec, have been selected to present at the FII conference in Riyadh. Moleculight has developed a wound assessment device that improves wound healing rates by 240%. Retispec focuses on early detection of neurodegenerative diseases through eye exams and has received a grant from the Davos Alzheimers Collaborative. The selection of these companies reflects their disruptive solutions in healthcare. iGan Arabia is a regional fund investing in MedTech innovation in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Partners
growth-positive
RETISPEC AND TORONTO MEMORY PROGRAM AWARDED GRANT TO LAUNCH INNOVATIVE EARLY DETECTION PROGRAM FOR ALZHEIMER'S IN TORONTO, CANADA
RetiSpec and Toronto Memory Program have received a grant from the Davos Alzheimers Collaborative (DAC) to launch a project that aims to screen for Alzheimers disease in community settings. The project involves collaboration between optometry clinics and the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. RetiSpec will provide retinal scans for early detection of Alzheimers disease, and individuals can also undergo cognitive assessment at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. The project aims to increase rates of cognitive testing and biological marker assessment for individuals aged 65 and over. The partnership between RetiSpec, Toronto Memory Program, and other local partners will implement the worlds first screening model that leverages a partnership between optometry and an Alzheimer Society. The project will provide a model that can be scaled across Canada and globally to strengthen healthcare systems.
Partners
growth-positive
The encouraging progress of diagnostics and data sharing in dementia
The article discusses the progress being made in Alzheimers research and the potential breakthroughs in finding a cure for the disease. It highlights the importance of sustained innovation in five critical areas: understanding the underlying causes, improving detection and diagnosis, increasing therapeutics, removing barriers for underrepresented populations in clinical trials, and facilitating data access. The article specifically mentions the Diagnostics Accelerator, which has committed $50 million to develop biomarker tests for Alzheimers. It also discusses the Alzheimers Disease Data Initiative (ADDI), which aims to increase data sharing and collaboration among researchers. The article emphasizes the need for diversity in patient datasets and calls for continued funding and investment in research and development. The author, Bill Gates, expresses optimism that with collective effort, dementia can be defeated.
CustomersPartners
growth-negative
The Most Promising Research in the Race for a Dementia Cure
The article discusses the approval of Biogen Inc.s Alzheimers drug, aducanumab, and the controversy surrounding its effectiveness. Researchers and clinicians in Canada have urged the government to carefully review the drug before allowing it. The article also highlights the challenges in diagnosing and treating Alzheimers disease, as well as the importance of early detection tools and brain health programs. The funding for dementia research in Canada is significantly lower than in the United States. The lack of funding and implementation of the National Dementia Strategy are seen as growth-negative factors for the company. The article does not mention any specific customers or partners.
InvestmentCustomers
Toronto Memory Program studying eye scan test for Alzheimer's
growth-positive
RetiSpec funded to accelerate Alzheimer's detection tech
RetiSpec Inc. has received an award from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) to fund the accelerated development of retinal imaging technology for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The award includes a direct investment of up to $500,000 (U.S.) in the company. RetiSpecs technology allows for the rapid identification of Alzheimer’s biomarkers years before clinical symptoms appear. The company is collaborating with Toronto Memory Program to validate the technology. The investment from ADDF represents external validation of the technologys promise. The technology has the potential to improve patient lives, save healthcare resources, and make clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease more efficient.
Investment
growth-positive
University of Minnesota collaborates with medical imaging startup RetiSpec to commercialize technology for early detection of Alzheimer's disease
RetiSpec has announced a collaboration and licensing agreement with the University of Minnesota to develop and bring to market a technology for early detection of Alzheimers disease. The collaboration allows RetiSpec exclusive access to an imaging system developed by researchers at the University. The system scans a patients eye to detect small quantities of a protein called beta amyloid, which is an early sign of Alzheimers disease. Early detection can improve prognosis and quality of life for patients. RetiSpec plans to integrate the technology into its machine learning platform and conduct a clinical study. The collaboration is expected to accelerate the time-to-market for a commercially viable screening tool for Alzheimers.
Partners
growth-positive
Look into my eyes: Do you see early signs of Alzheimer's?
RetiSpec, an Israeli startup, is developing an ocular scanner that can identify biomarkers of Alzheimers disease in the eyes. The scanner aims to provide early detection of the disease, allowing for lifestyle modifications and financial preparation. The burden of treating Alzheimers is high, with costs estimated at $247 billion in North America alone in 2016. RetiSpec is collaborating with the Ontario Brain Institute and has received a $50,000 investment. The company is currently raising a seed round and plans to begin testing the scanner within the next year. Other companies are also exploring the use of the eyes to diagnose Alzheimers, but RetiSpec sees competition as beneficial to advancing the field.
Customers
growth-positive
RetiSpec is Toronto's 2016 Lion's Den Champion!
RetiSpec, a medical device startup, won the first prize at the JNF Tech Shuk Lions Den competition for their non-invasive imaging tool for early detection of Alzheimers Disease. The companys involvement with Tech Shuk began when they met Stephen Adler, the Executive Director for Ontario and Western Canada at Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University. RetiSpec received an attractive package of services and support from the community as part of their victory. They are now collaborating with several stakeholders from the event and plan to continue participating in Tech Shuk in the future.
PartnersCustomers
