Latest news with #BioTwin
Khaleej Times
17-04-2025
- Health
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Chemo without side effects? Healthcare startups redefine treatment, prevention of illness
From wearable baby thermometers to AI-generated digital twins, health tech is moving faster than ever. During the Abu Dhabi Global Health Week event, startups from around the world showcased innovations that promise to reshape how we treat, monitor, and even prevent illness. Innovative startups in the healthcare industry are redefining how we look at health and medicine. Here are some of their creations: Eliminating side effects Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment but often comes with harsh side effects, including loss of appetite, nausea, and hair loss. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. To combat this, a New York-based company, BioSapien is developing a 3D-printed biodegradable mesh that delivers chemotherapy drugs directly to the site of the tumor, thus minimising harm to the rest of the body. Rolling out their first human clinical trials in Abu Dhabi soon, BioSapien CTO Joseph Borrelo said that the company met with the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, to be able to move to the next phase. He said, 'You'll get all the benefits of chemotherapy without the detriments. That's what we've seen in our animal pre-clinical testing and that's what we're preparing to do for our first in-human trial.' Building a biological twin Two startups are reimagining how we think about personal health data, by turning it into something you can actually see: a digital twin. BioTwin builds virtual replicas of individuals using just a few drops of blood, combined with data from wearables and health records. 'Using artificial intelligence, we can track up to 200,000 different biomarkers,' Noel said. These samples are collected regularly to form what he calls a 'virtual twin' that can assist with early detection of diseases. Meanwhile, eMedSupport is applying AI to improve care for cardiovascular patients. Created by cardiologist and researcher Dr Denis, the system builds digital patient profiles by analysing electronic health records against clinical guidelines. It then helps doctors assess risk factors, adjust treatment plans, and even predict outcomes over time. 'As a physician, it's hard when a patient has multiple conditions,' he said. 'This platform makes it easier to find the right treatment path.' With support from major health systems in the GCC, eMedSupport is also working with Cleveland Clinic on predictive models for cholesterol levels and disease progression. Affordable prosthetics Truelimbs manufactures artificial body parts for those who need help with mobility. However, unlike your typical prosthetics company, Truelimbs is centered around affordability and low costs. Mansour Hamada, the founder and CEO of the prosthetic company, said that Truelimbs manufactures prosthetics for '$5,000 to $10,000, depending on the level and the type of prosthetic we make, whereas the average price for prosthetics in the market today are $50,000 to $70,000. The Egyptian native said he has worked on this project for 19 years, with the stated goal of affordability in mind. 'Because of the Egyptian market and the [UAE] market, it's like a commercial market, people can't afford the cost of the prosthetic limbs. At the same time, we want to make it affordable for everyone. That's how the idea of making a low-cost prosthetic limb started,' he said. Hamada explained that the process of obtaining a prosthetic limb includes a series of steps, which begins with a consultation and moves to receiving a mock limb. The mock limb is printed using a 3D printer along with a socket for fitting, and ends with some training for a person to get used to their new artificial limb. Wearable thermometer for babies Raising a newborn baby can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to your baby's high fever. Serbian company BabyFM aims to reduce that anxiety with a wearable thermometer that continuously monitors the baby's temperature and sends real-time alerts to an app. By fixing the thermometer to a baby's body in a non-invasive way, the device can constantly feed information to the BabyFM app and even create a curve of when temperatures drop or rise. Co-founder Dr Dzihan Abazovic said, 'It's originally built with the idea to help and support the parents when you have, especially the first baby, when it has a temperature, you are not sleeping all night.' Though it has still not been rolled out in the UAE, Abazovic said it will be introduced in early June.
Mid East Info
31-01-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Partners with BioTwin to Pilot Virtual Human Twin Technology in Breast Cancer Screening
BioTwin, a cutting-edge Canadian digital health startup that is part of Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem, has established a partnership at Arab Health 2025 with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of the M42 Group, to pilot its innovative virtual human twin technology for breast cancer screening. BioTwin's virtual twin technology leverages advanced data analytics, machine learning, and biological biomarkers to create comprehensive digital replicas of individual patients. These dynamic and personalised virtual twins enable monitoring and early detection of diseases, such as breast cancer, by identifying subtle changes in the virtual twin that correlate with the disease's profile, potentially signifying its onset. BioTwin's partnership with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi aims to validate this cutting-edge technology which is currently in its trial phase by creating unique patient profiles for breast cancer screening, marking a significant step forward in healthcare innovation in the UAE and globally. Dr Rafal Iskanderian, Staff Physician, General Surgery, Oncology Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, said: 'Our partnership represents a significant leap forward in breast cancer screening. It aligns with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's commitment to advancing cancer care in the region by deploying the latest innovations in health-tech, supported by clinical research, global expertise, and state-of-the-art facilities. By leveraging virtual twin technology, we aim to enhance early detection capabilities, potentially saving lives and improving patient outcomes. We are bringing the future right forward here close to home.' Louis-Philippe Noel, founder and CEO of BioTwin, said: 'Our partnership with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi marks a pivotal moment for BioTwin. By combining our virtual twin technology with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi's expertise, we're poised to revolutionise breast cancer screening and make a real difference in healthcare.' BioTwin is part of the Microsoft Entrepreneurship for Positive Impact initiative, which supports entrepreneurs committed to solving the world's most pressing challenges through access to training, mentorship, Azure credits, and partnership opportunities. The pilot project, which will run on Microsoft Azure, underscores Microsoft's commitment to advancing healthcare technologies and its support for innovative startups. Dr David Rhew, Vice President and Global Chief Medical Officer, Microsoft Health and Life Sciences, said: 'This collaboration exemplifies the power of innovative startups working alongside established healthcare leaders. Through Microsoft Azure, we're helping to accelerate the development and validation of technologies that will lead to better experiences and outcomes in healthcare.' Ahmad Ali Alwan, CEO of Hub71, said: ' We are proud of Hub71 startups and their ability to forge impactful partnerships that drive business growth and scalability. This collaboration underscores Abu Dhabi's vast potential as a launchpad for startup success, particularly in the healthcare sector, which remains a key economic priority for both the UAE capital and the nation.' This partnership highlights Hub71's role in attracting high-growth tech startups to Abu Dhabi, facilitating valuable access to the market and creating collaborative opportunities with leading corporations and government institutions. Hub71 reinforces Abu Dhabi's position as the MENA region's fastest-growing startup ecosystem, with a burgeoning HealthTech sector. The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has previously approved BioTwin's technology for research purposes, paving the way for this innovative pilot project.
