In the latest issue of „Health Tech of the Week,” we present BioCam, an innovative startup revolutionizing the world of medicine.

As Maciej Wysocki, CEO of Biocam, says, the company’s beginnings were unusual. A few years ago, while working on innovative spectrophotometric technologies, Maciej was approached by a company that broadcast international freediving competitions, an extreme sport related to diving to depths of several hundred meters without equipment. They wanted to measure the physiological parameters of the divers, thereby increasing the attractiveness of their broadcasts. The then mentor, and now also a partner in Biocam, biotechnology expert Prof. Marek Langner, advised using endoscopic capsules for this purpose. By removing the cameras and adding sensors, they could monitor what happens to the divers’ bodies at different depths.

This commission prompted the creators of Biocam to analyze the market. However, a barrier was the price, at 2600 PLN for a single capsule and from 20 to 40 thousand PLN for a radio signal receiver, necessary for data acquisition.

– Seeing how expensive and niche this medical sector is, we decided it was worth changing and popularizing the entire technology of endoscopic capsules, relying on cheaper production costs and artificial intelligence algorithms for image analysis. Our key mission is to be a minimally invasive alternative for gastrointestinal screening tests. The basic social problem is that we are tested too late and too rarely, and most gastrointestinal cancers are diagnosed in the last stages of development, which precludes conventional treatment and means a death sentence. People avoid traditional endoscopic examinations due to panic fear, shame, and lack of education about the importance of screening tests – emphasizes the CEO of Biocam.

Breakthrough Thanks to AI Technology

BioCam, using AI in capsule endoscopy, responds to global challenges in medicine, including staffing shortages. The company’s AI algorithms, based on extensive data sets, surpass traditional image analysis methods in terms of speed and accuracy. This technology allows doctors to diagnose more effectively, reducing the risk of missing significant pathological changes. BioCam not only innovates in endoscopy but also actively shapes the vision of the future of medicine. The company emphasizes the importance of automation, telemedicine, and prevention in the context of aging societies and burdened healthcare systems. They are convinced that the future of medicine is prevention and early detection of diseases, which can fundamentally change the approach to treatment and health management.

Expansion and Development

In the market context, BioCam stands out by offering endoscopic capsules for examining the entire gastrointestinal system in the comfort of one’s own home. BioCam capsules are equipped with NBI technology, or tissue illumination with light of different wavelengths, all at a significantly lower price than the competition. By offering a comprehensive examination of the gastrointestinal tract, the company introduces a completely new standard in diagnostics. In the pre-commercial stage, BioCam plans to collaborate with a network of private clinics and the veterinary industry. Aiming for global expansion, they are extending their offer not only to the human market but also to the veterinary market, opening up new diagnostic possibilities.

– The idea of exploring the veterinary market came from the largest veterinary drug manufacturer in the region, so the need came directly from a potential customer and business partner. After analysis, we concluded that this is an area of activity with equally great commercial potential and even less competition than in the traditional medical market, which increases our chances of becoming an industry leader. Year after year, we are spending more and more on our four-legged friends, treating them as full members of the family. A good example is the variety of food we can buy or the quality of the ingredients used, compared to what was offered years ago. The invasiveness of traditional endoscopy is also significant, which for an animal must end with anesthesia, which is not the „healthiest” – adds Maciej Wysocki.

Innovations and Future Plans

BioCam is continuously developing its technologies, working on miniaturizing capsules for smaller animals and expanding diagnostic functionalities. The company is also exploring the potential of bioprinting and remote drug release, which could bring another revolution in medicine.

Stay tuned for more in the „Health Tech of the Week” series, where we will discover more fascinating stories from the world of medical technology that are changing the face of healthcare.

If you are leading an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine, or want to recommend an interesting solution, contact us at: [email protected].

This week, we are taking a closer look at Ailis, an innovative startup focusing on a crucial area of women’s health: early breast cancer diagnosis. Founded by Michał Matuszewski, the project arose from personal experiences with cancer within his family and is now dedicated to combating breast cancer. It offers not only an innovative method of early diagnosis but also a personalized approach to each patient.

Breast cancer in Poland holds an unfortunate top position among malignant tumors in women, accounting for approximately 37% of all cases. Data from the National Cancer Registry for 2020 is striking – it is diagnosed 67 times a day. Unfortunately, about one-third of patients do not survive. Poland also leads the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in terms of cancer-related mortality rates, with the percentage of breast cancer deaths increasing, unlike other European countries. Early diagnosis remains a challenge, with only one-third of eligible women undergoing mammography and one in five having a cytology examination.

Innovative Technology

Ailis is the result of over seven years of collaboration between outstanding scientists from the Gdańsk University of Technology, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, biomedical engineering experts, oncologists, and programmers. Their goal was to combine parametric dynamic imaging technology with an analytical module based on artificial intelligence algorithms and telemedicine. It is the first diagnostic method that allows for the early detection of breast cancer and monitoring the breast condition of patients with different breast densities. Ailis has its own breast density algorithm that correlates with women’s breast densities, personalizing the diagnosis for each of them. The examination on this device is painless, comfortable, safe (no ionizing radiation is emitted), and takes only 5 minutes (including diagnosis takes 15 minutes). The system is practically self-operating and will be equipped with a digital avatar that (thanks to artificial intelligence) discusses the results with the patient and provides personalized risk information.

Project Development

Currently, the project is in the medical experiment phase, which aims to teach AI algorithms. The first Ailis center is operating in Krakow, and additional research centers will be launched in Gdańsk and Warsaw this year. Currently, women with suspected breast cancer are invited to participate in the research free of charge. Each patient also undergoes ultrasound, mammography, or possibly magnetic resonance imaging, depending on the doctor’s recommendations. Women with suspected breast cancer are provided with consultations with an experienced doctor specializing in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment – Dr. Mateusz Górski. In less than two months, nearly 1000 women have already signed up for the examinations.

Next Steps

Following clinical evaluation, Ailis awaits certification and, from the end of 2024, will begin the process of entering the Polish market and foreign markets. Discussions are currently underway with countries interested in implementing the system, such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. An innovative approach to test accessibility is offering them not in medical clinics but in shopping centers, creating a friendly environment for patients. The goal is to encourage women to undergo regular examinations and monitor their health to detect the disease at its earliest stage, when it is up to 99% curable.

Problem Solving

According to the World Health Organization, in 2020, 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed worldwide. It is estimated that by 2040, the number of cases will exceed 3 million annually. Every minute, one woman dies from this disease worldwide, while three learn about its existence. Nearly half of women worldwide have limited access to effective methods of early breast cancer diagnosis. Over the past twenty years, the number of breast cancers worldwide has increased by almost 100%. In some Asian regions, waiting for mammographic testing takes several years, while the WHO recommends a maximum wait time of three months. Delaying treatment even by a month increases the risk of death by 6-13%.

Late diagnosis contributes to alarming mortality rates, and the introduction of Ailis to the market may help address this problem. Key elements include the use of artificial intelligence, deep neural networks, and algorithms to analyze test results and create a personalized risk model for each patient. Personalized risk assessment is the future of healthcare, which currently relies mainly on population-based risk. Through a special application that guides women through monthly breast self-examinations step by step and allows patients to report suspicious changes for analysis, Ailis informs them about the need for earlier consultations with a doctor.

Health Tech of the Week

The Health Tech of the Week initiative highlights the importance of innovative solutions in the healthcare and technology fields. Ailis serves as an excellent example of the Health Tech revolution in women’s healthcare, going beyond current medical standards and changing the approach to breast cancer diagnosis while increasing women’s awareness of their health.

If you have an innovative project in the field of new technologies and medicine or would like to recommend an interesting solution, please contact us at: [email protected].

This week, I highlighted a project aimed at supporting companies in the field of clinical research by providing them with modern software for information management.

As stated by the project’s co-founder, Sabina Żołędowska, the idea to create the finECRF eCRF system stemmed from a real market need. Sabina is the owner of Science Implementation, a company specializing in clinical trials, where she repeatedly encountered challenges related to scaling the business and a lack of efficient tools to support information management in research. Existing solutions on the market were costly and complex to implement. Through collaboration with Łukasz Szemiako from Rewinit, a company with extensive experience in IT and solutions meeting medical standards, finECRF was developed.

A breath of fresh air in the industry

FinECRF stands out among other solutions, both those offered by IT corporations and startups. Large companies are often limited by a lack of flexibility in purchasing and a lengthy implementation process. On the other hand, open-source solutions created by startups may not comply with local requirements, corporate policies (which are still wary of such initiatives), and can be costly to implement, often requiring the reorganization of multiple existing operational systems within a company. As a closed system, FinECRF provides users with the flexibility to tailor functionality to their individual needs. One of the advantages that Ms. Sabina particularly emphasized in creating the solution is ensuring a snowball effect in terms of process automation. As the solution is used, it becomes possible to create increasingly new paths, shortcuts, and facilitations that streamline the processing of information obtained from clinical trials.

Next steps

FinECRF is currently in the pilot phase. The plan is to reach the fifth level of technological readiness and commence expansion into the commercial market in the form of a subscription model. The system has been developed in both Polish and English to facilitate implementation in European Union countries. However, a challenge lies in adapting the solution to local regulations of member states. I will be keenly observing the further stages of development of this solution, which has touched upon the complex yet improvement-worthy field of clinical research.

HealthTech Startup of the Week is a series of publications on the blog and my LinkedIn profile where, every Wednesday, I showcase one of the more interesting startups or medical projects. Polish and international companies, whose actions significantly impact the quality of life for the intended users, are invited to present themselves to a wider audience.

Do you run an interesting project at the intersection of new technologies and medicine, or do you want to recommend a solution you know or use?
Contact us: [email protected]

In this pre-holiday period, I would like to draw your attention to a health tech solution aimed at ensuring the safety of the whole family, from the elderly through children to pets.

Compared to many initiatives that emerge in the cycle concerning medical projects, Locon has over 25 years of experience in telemedicine and creating localization devices. Thanks to the IT and technological background, the company has developed an application and a locating device with the highest quality factors. As a result, the LOCON Safe Family service is used by over 1 million users throughout Poland.

Support for the Elderly

Particularly in the context of the elderly who live alone, far from relatives, it is crucial to provide them with accessible technology that will call for immediate help in case of an accident. Locon’s telecare service includes a measuring device, an application, and the care of the Rescue and Monitoring Center. The person is protected by wearing a bracelet on the wrist. This inconspicuous device has a built-in phone with access to unlimited minutes, a fall sensor, and an SOS button for calling for help. Thanks to the built-in, precise GPS module, it enables 24/7 localization. A monitoring system operating in the background (measuring blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation) will immediately notify the Medical Rescue Center in case of a threat to life or health. The device can also detect a fall, such as due to a heart attack or fainting, and sends the GPS location to the emergency contact specified during the programming stage. In this way, a family member or a nearby neighbor, for example, is immediately notified, and optionally, the Medical Rescue Center can be called.

The on-duty rescuer, after receiving signals from the bracelet and trying to contact the wearer, can decide to send an ambulance immediately to provide assistance. The devices offered by Locon allow for an unlimited number of phone calls through the wristband. Thus, the family and the rescue center can always be in contact with the person in need.

Health Monitoring

The usual recipients of Locon’s services are seniors who struggle with cardiovascular, pulmonary diseases, or ailments of old age. That is why Locon’s activities focus on helping people with cardiovascular problems (such as hypertension, arrhythmia, heart muscle failure), threatening premature death, which can be avoided with quick medical intervention. However, they are not the only household members who can be cared for. The bracelets can also be used by children, providing contact with the youngest family member without the need for the child to have a smartphone, for example, at school. Thanks to the location feature, the family can see the child’s whereabouts in real-time on their phone. Precise localization is possible thanks to sources such as GPS, GSM, Wi-Fi, and BTS. The location history allows checking where the child has been over time. The children’s watch enables quick making and receiving calls, only from the closest people, and also allows for high-quality video calls. The device allows setting safety zones (home, school) and sends notifications when the child leaves or returns to a given place. Locators can also help ensure the safety of household pets.

The topic of new technologies will surely be discussed at many holiday tables. Therefore, it is worth considering the benefits and advantages that they bring and what we can gain by using them responsibly.

Health Tech Startup of the Week is a series of publications on the blog and my LinkedIn profile, where every Wednesday, I present one of the more interesting startups or medical projects. Polish and international companies whose activities genuinely affect the quality of life of the users for whom they were created are invited to present themselves to a wider audience.

Are you running an interesting project at the intersection of new technologies and medicine or want to recommend a solution you know or use? Get in touch with us: [email protected] 

When selecting noteworthy medical projects, I couldn’t overlook CliniNote. Created in 2020, this startup recently signed a contract with Novartis focusing on using AI to analyze clinical data in oncological hospitals.

What solutions does CliniNote offer?

CliniNote was founded by experienced HealthTech professionals: Professor Jan Poleszczuk, Rafał Szmuca, and Robert Ługowski, who decided to combine their expertise. Their joint project is already changing the approach to medical data development and could significantly impact the quality of treatment offered to patients in the future.

The solution CliniNote offers to hospitals and medical facilities involves using artificial intelligence software to create real-time medical notes and analyze them while the entry is being made. Previously, verifying the entered data was only possible post-factum. Additionally, medical staff had to input the same information multiple times into different systems, such as CRF dedicated systems for clinical trials or real-world evidence studies. The application of artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) aims to expedite this process, primarily supporting doctors and patients. Patients, in particular, benefit from the structured medical notes offered by CliniNote, making it easier to use their own data contained within the notes, for example, in case of needing a second opinion (consultation) or qualifying for a clinical trial.

What problems does CliniNote software solve?

CliniNote’s advantage lies in not requiring drastic and costly changes associated with an immediate reorganization of the entire data management system. As Robert Ługowski, CEO of CliniNote, puts it, doctors’ time is especially precious, particularly in the case of oncology patients, where efficient data processing can enable faster life-saving actions. CliniNote’s mission is to solve the long-standing dilemma associated with the need to accumulate increasingly larger amounts of data, which over the years has increased the time medical staff spend on paperwork, thereby limiting their time with patients. The startup’s founders also hope that their activity will contribute to solving the growing problem of interoperability, the connection of data from different specialized systems currently present in the healthcare industry.

How will CliniNote’s business develop in the future?

CliniNote’s goal for 2024 is to introduce the solution in major European markets such as Germany, France, Spain, Italy, as well as a Proof of Concept in the United States. They recently concluded their first round of funding, with one of the investors being the Berlin-based fund Sunfish Partners. They also signed an agreement with Novartis to implement the CliniNote solution at the Provincial Multispecialty Center for Oncology and Traumatology named after M. Kopernik in Łódź, where the solution is used for processing medical data and improving the standards of breast cancer patients according to the requirements of the National Oncology Strategy. In the future, the collaboration between the Oncology Center, Novartis, and CliniNote is expected to expand to other centers within the National Oncology Network. The solution is also utilized by the National Institute of Oncology and several hospitals in Poland. CliniNote is also involved in two pan-European projects, engaging over 20 hospitals from countries such as Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Norway, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

This Polish solution is also being recognized internationally. At the end of September this year, the Sifted portal highlighted CliniNote among European startups worth observing in the context of combating oncological diseases. The startup is also being observed by global pharmaceutical companies