We secure approvals – US FDA and CE marking before the end of 2020

Incorporated in early 2018, Pune, India based health tech startup In-Med Prognostics has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) based brain health diagnostic and prognostic tool called NeuroShield, which is one-of-its-kind in India. It is a cloud-based clinical decision support tool for neurological disorders. The tool utilizes three dimensional (3D) based magnetic resonance images to their full potential by extracting data and providing volumetric analysis for the brain and its various structures. The analysis of NeuroShield enables actionable, quantitative, objective decision making to the neuro-physicians for differential diagnosis. To gather more information on this innovative product, BioSpectrum spoke to Dr Latha Poonamallee, Cofounder & Chairperson, In-Med Prognostics, Pune in India. Edited Excerpts;

- Dr Manbeena Chawla

What are the major features of NeuroShield that make it one of a kind in India?

NeuroShield is the first such product to be using AI in brain volumetry outside of the US and EU and the first in India. It is also the first to use an ethnicity/ geography-based reference range. One of the reasons the other products were not adopted here in India was because the reference data was not relevant but this approach of ethnicity-based reference is a new approach to using data analytics relevant for different populations. Finally, our cost structure makes it affordable and accessible to all. We spent close to 18 months in the actual development of this product and another year was put in for preparation and research. The company was formed in Jan 2018 and the product was launched in Jan 2020.

What is your current reach and how do you plan to further enhance it?

Right now, we have partnered with over 15 hospitals in major and minor cities. Some of these hospitals like Max Neuro are a chain hospital with 14 hospitals and similarly, Aarthi Scans has over 25 centers. To name a few more, we are associated with hospitals and screening centres such as Sahyadri Hospital, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, NM Medical, P.H diagnostic centre and Noble Hospital. To fulfill our social mission, we also plan to expand our presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. We also plan to expand our global footprint. We are in talks with hospitals in Dubai, Philippines, Indonesia and Australia. We are also in touch with Abu Dhabi government agency about opening an office in their innovation center.

How do you intend to contribute to mental healthcare in India?