Original post: https://www.mtpconnect.org.au/Article?Action=View&Article_id=118
The medtech start-up has developed a way to more accurately analyse CT coronary angiograms using deep learning algorithms and artificial intelligence. Their AI solution reviews the hundreds of scanned images, creates a 3D model and then looks for disease. This increases the accuracy of identifying patients at risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and guides clinicians in delivering more effective treatment.
Currently, specialists use an invasive coronary angiogram to detect arterial abnormalities but the Artrya solution is non-invasive.
In November 2020, Artrya received TGA regulatory approval to launch the product in the Australian market.
Artrya is an emerging early-stage WA medtech start-up that was recently awarded $1 million funding in Round 3 of MTPConnect’s BioMedTech Horizons (BMTH) Program, an initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund.
Founded in 2018, Artrya is a collaboration with The University of Western Australia and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, based in Perth.
When announcing the news of the BMTH funding, Artyra CEO John Konstantopoulos explained their solution can rapidly report heart disease from CT scans, saving precious time rather than waiting for the results of angiograms.
“Our novel, non-invasive solution can more accurately identify and predict patients who are vulnerable to heart disease and reduce the incidence of heart attacks,” Mr Konstantopoulos explains.”
“This information can be used to prevent acute coronary events and improve patient quality of life.”
“By combining latest advances in AI, image processing, data analysis and CAD research, everything is faster, more accurate and less costly.”
“That is good for the healthcare system and communities.”
According to the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, cardiovascular diseases like CAD are the leading cause of death worldwide, with one Australian dying every 12 minutes[1]. The disease is also a significant economic burden on global healthcare systems and communities. It is estimated that Australia is spending $12 billion in healthcare annually[2].
Artrya’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Girish Dwivedi, is the inaugural Wesfarmers Chair in Cardiology at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and consultant cardiologist at Fiona Stanley Hospital.
Professor Dwivedi is an internationally renowned researcher in non-invasive cardiac imaging techniques and High-Risk Plaques that cause heart attacks.
“Current clinical practice is focused on the narrowing of the heart’s arteries, but most heart attacks occur in patients with less than 50-per-cent obstruction,” says Prof Dwivedi.”
“The real cause of death comes from non-obstructive High-Risk Plaque, which is very time consuming for humans to record. Our AI system can accurately detect this type of plaque, direct the physician to its location and generate a written report.”
“Artrya’s system would allow physicians to treat patients before a heart attack occurs, saving lives.”
Artrya Executive Chairman John Barrington AM says Western Australia is positioned well in developing new healthcare innovations.
“WA is producing outstanding medtech start-ups, has world-class universities and research institutions, and entrepreneurship is in the State’s DNA,” Mr Barrington adds.”
“The foundations are there to build industries of tomorrow in WA and future-proof our economy.”
“Our leadership team has focused on creating and enhancing networks across the health, medical, research and investor communities in the markets of WA, SA, VIC, NSW and Queensland.”
The company has had early success attracting private capital, raising around $4 million to date.
Their research has been recognised internationally with Artrya’s paper on machine learning being selected as runner-up at the prestigious Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography 2020 Conference.
In October 2020, Artrya joined WA medtech start-up Noisy Guts as part of the 21 strong delegation at the Australian Medtech Pavilion for the international 2020 Virtual MedTech Conference. The Australian Medtech Pavilion offered the WA companies an opportunity to network with global players at the world’s biggest medtech conference.
The MTPConnect WA Life Sciences Innovation Hub supports start-ups like Artrya by flagging funding opportunities in the sector, sharing best practice capabilities and connections through delivering webinars and events, and providing opportunities for commercialisation development through roundtables and workshops.
Artrya was one of 21 medical research projects across Australia selected for funding in Round 3 of the BMTH program.
For more information, visit Artrya.
[1] Heart Disease: learn about the symptoms, causes, treatments and possible preventions. Retrieved on 8 October 2020 https://www.victorchang.edu.au/heartdisease
[2] Heart Disease: learn about the symptoms, causes, treatments and possible preventions. Retrieved on 8 October 2020 https://www.victorchang.edu.au/heartdisease