Anumana, a Massachusetts-based healthcare technology company focused on artificial intelligence (AI), has announced a new multi-year deal with Pfizer focused on improving the identification and diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis.
The groups will work to develop a new AI algorithm capable of identifying signs of cardiac amyloidosis—a significant heart issue that can lead to heart failure—in electrocardiogram (ECG) results. Once the AI-ECG algorithm has been finalized and tested, the goal is to pursue a De Novo classification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and work toward full regulatory approvals in the United States, Europe and Japan.
Anumana, a portfolio company of nference, is a Mayo Clinic spinoff that has previously used advanced AI algorithms to target low ejection fraction, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation and hyperkalemia.
Cardiac amyloidosis is known for being especially hard to diagnose due to its association with a wide range of symptoms, including shortness of breath, knee pain, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, kidney disease and gastrointestinal issues. These varied symptoms are one of the primary reasons Anumana and Pfizer have joined forces for this extended collaboration.
“The challenge in diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis can prevent patients from getting treatment while the disease continues to progress,” David McMullin, Anumana’s chief business officer, said in a prepared statement. “We believe this collaboration will demonstrate the power of Anumana’s AI-ECG algorithms to help clinicians intervene earlier, giving them greater ability to improve patient outcomes and prolong lives.”
“AI-ECG solutions alert clinicians to humanly imperceptible patterns in ECG signals, providing an early warning for serious occult or impending disease,” added Paul Friedman, MD, chair of the department of cardiovascular medicine at Mayo Clinic and chair of Anumana’s Mayo Clinic Board of Advisors. “This stands to improve the lives of people with cardiac amyloidosis by improving the speed of triage and care of this group.”
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.