Gendius’s Intellin® app is a game-changer for those with Diabetes, collecting vital health data to spotlight individual risk factors. In a revealing chat, CEO Rory Cameron highlights the power of such data in pinpointing health risks early on, potentially saving lives by staying one step ahead of the disease.
A Brief History of Gendius: From Its Inception to Current Developments
With a solid foundation in the pharmaceutical industry, our journey took a pivotal turn when my colleague, Chris, encountered a personal health crisis. His diagnosis of diabetes and subsequent complications underscored the urgency for innovative approaches to chronic disease management. This realization propelled us towards establishing a new venture aimed at reshaping how we tackle the complexities associated with long-term illnesses.
Our enterprise has blossomed into two main endeavors: the development of the Intellin® platform and our ongoing work on predictive algorithms. Initially focusing on diabetes, our scope has expanded to include chronic kidney and cardiovascular diseases — conditions notorious for spawning various secondary health issues. Our goal is not just to understand these ailments better but also to pioneer early detection techniques that could significantly alter patient outcomes.
In responding to this challenge, we’ve engaged directly with those affected by these conditions through an app designed to simplify diabetes management. However, our ambition didn’t stop there; we ventured into forecasting potential risks associated with other serious diseases. By analyzing extensive health records spanning a decade, we’re honing in on markers that could signal the likelihood of developing chronic kidney or cardiovascular diseases down the line.
Our partnership with AstraZeneca signifies an important leap forward, particularly in bringing our innovations to regions like the Gulf and tackling global concerns such as kidney disease risk assessment. Through collaborations like these and continuous research efforts, we aspire not only to prevent complications from arising but also fundamentally change how chronic illnesses are perceived and managed worldwide.
What do you know about your Intellin platform?
Intellin® simplifies the process of monitoring health statistics for individuals by integrating their data across various platforms. It allows healthcare providers immediate access to their patient’s health information, aggregating data from popular fitness apps and medical devices, including blood pressure monitors and smart scales. This connectivity spans over 150 different devices and applications, with new additions each month to enhance functionality further.
Especially noteworthy in the UK is Intellin®‘s ability to merge this detailed health dashboard with a patient’s electronic health records. This integration addresses the common issue of inaccessible personal health records, enabling users to effortlessly view vital stats such as cholesterol and blood pressure levels at any time.
The app stands out not only for its comprehensive data collection but also for its proactive approach towards health management. By contrasting users’ metrics against clinical guidelines, it identifies those who deviate significantly from recommended ranges. Besides offering real-time insights into one’s physical well-being through connected devices like digital scales and glucose meters, it alerts users about potential risks related to conditions like foot ulcers.
Highlighting diabetes—a leading cause of severe health complications worldwide—Intellin® focuses on prevention and early intervention strategies. The platform aims to empower users with actionable knowledge before conditions escalate to critical stages, exemplified by the narrative of a user named Chris who closely monitors his condition through the app.
In essence, Intellin® acts not just as a tool for tracking fitness or diet but as a comprehensive companion in managing broader metabolic issues impacting long-term health outcomes such as kidney failure or cardiovascular diseases linked with diabetes. Its goal is clear: equip individuals with necessary insights early enough so they can take preventive measures rather than coping with consequences at later stages.
What insights does your platform offer?
To grasp the evolution of a phenomenon over ten years, ideally, one would need double that time span to gather sufficient continuous user engagement. However, our approach leans on analyzing past data pools. Currently, we’re in an exciting phase where fresh, real-time patient data is flowing into our system at an increasing rate. By the next half-year point, we anticipate this new data will surpass the volume of historical records we initially relied upon with our Intellin® platform.
This burgeoning database is not just growing in size; it’s enhancing our capability to identify individuals who might be on the brink of developing early-stage chronic kidney disease—a focus area where existing methods fall short by only spotlighting late-stage conditions when preventative measures are no longer feasible.
The treasure trove of information now at our disposal is beginning to reveal patterns that could predict the onset of early-stage kidney disease. A notable example involves high blood pressure—a condition proven to harm kidney function. Identifying individuals within this risk group offers a golden opportunity for intervention—advising them to either keep their blood pressure in check or pursue more rigorous control strategies.
Tracking a patient’s improvement
The upcoming stage in our project is something we haven’t tackled yet. At present, the risk assessment tools available in the market offer a static view. They can evaluate your current risk for heart-related issues, projecting a decade into the future. However, these models fall short when it comes to predicting how lifestyle changes, like dieting or medication, could alter those risks.
In essence, we’re looking at introducing dynamic models that can account for such variables. The real challenge lies in creating models that not only assess present conditions but also simulate potential outcomes based on lifestyle modifications.
An interesting practice occurs in the UK once you hit 40; you’re summoned for a comprehensive health check-up focusing on cardiovascular health among other things. After my own assessment, I was curious about how certain changes would affect my risk levels. Unfortunately, the doctor couldn’t provide specific answers and resorted to adjusting my weight in their system as a rough estimate of change – an approach that lacks scientific accuracy.
Our goal now is to develop advanced statistical models to fill this gap in healthcare analysis. We aim to predict how adjustments in one’s lifestyle can directly influence their health risks over time. This endeavor is not just about enhancing model accuracy; it’s about empowering individuals with knowledge on how proactive measures can shape their health futures positively. This new phase promises excitement and hope as we embark on it next year, aiming to turn what-if scenarios into tangible predictions for better health outcomes.
What do you believe is needed to make AI usage in healthcare uniform?
Initially, the development of our algorithms heavily relied on clinical data to ensure their validity. However, it turned out that an abundance of clinical information made these tools less accessible to patients due to the numerous tests required. Recognizing this, we shifted focus towards non-clinical indicators such as age, body mass index (BMI), exercise habits, glucose levels, and blood pressure — all of which are increasingly easier for most people to monitor.
In today’s digital age where individuals frequently share health metrics via devices like Apple Watches or various apps, we’ve streamlined the process. By securing user consent just once, our software seamlessly operates in the background gathering essential data without further intrusion.
Our collaboration with AstraZeneca has paved the way for refining our approach even further by concentrating on a handful of key inputs easy for any patient to track. Although this method might slightly decrease sensitivity, it significantly enhances usability and accessibility.
The goal isn’t just about creating sophisticated algorithms; it’s also ensuring they can be integrated effortlessly into different platforms. This strategy broadens their use by embedding them directly into systems used by potential customers rather than limiting access through a singular app like Intellin®. It’s all about meeting people where they are and weaving these tools into their daily lives seamlessly.
Beyond convenience and inclusivity lies another critical advantage: cost efficiency. In contexts like diabetes care where advanced medications can protect vital organs but require early identification of eligible patients, our technology steps in as a crucial intermediary. By promptly flagging high-risk individuals to doctors’ attention, not only does this facilitate timely intervention with life-saving treatments but also presents a financially sound strategy for healthcare systems at large.
Ultimately, the essence of innovation here is not merely technological breakthroughs but devising practical solutions that embody real-world benefits – saving lives while cutting costs.
