Last month saw the publication of WIPO’s new bi-annual IP report, entitled “The Direction of Innovation”. The report is packed with insights, bringing a combination of powerful observations that really hit home backed by data-driven analysis that look deeply into how and why innovation flows.

A key perspective of the report points to the split of economic benefits which go to society (social benefit) vs. returns to private sector investment (private benefit). Spoiler warning: a clear example is the lightning-paced work occurring from the time Chinese scientists sequenced and released the mapping of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in January 2020, to Covid-19 public vaccinations – barely a year later. While many may point to big pharma’s eye-popping profits, the WIPO report shows that the quantifiable portion of the economic benefits to society are roughly 900x those of the revenue earned by the private sector!

The best laid plans… how global crises affect innovation ecosystem participants

On 7 April 2022, WIPO’s IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (IES), hosted a short conference to present summary findings of the report, accompanied by a lively panel discussion. Marco Alemán, head of WIPO’s IES, introduced the key concept of how dependent major innovation outcomes are on the influence of each participant in the ecosystem: nations, institutional scientific and engineering research, and private sector investment. However, major events beyond the control of public policy makers shape outcomes, usually via crises, such as war, pandemic and natural disaster. Those crises have enormous impact on research and innovation outcomes. Look at how penicillin development rose in direct response to battlefield infections.

Reflecting academia, industry & government, panel’s views on setting of the direction of innovation

In introductory remarks and presentation of the panelists, Dr. Carsten Fink, head of the IES Department of Economics and Data Analysis, provided illustrations of the change in pace and focus of innovation since the industrial age. As society made its lunge forward in technology in the 20^th century, it did so in recognizable big waves, i.e., engine/transport > pharma > ICT > digitalization, today.

And some funny things happened on the way to the IP forum. A most recent example is digital-related innovation: it has grown 172% faster than all patents over preceding five years.

Lively panel discussion

Introducing themselves and their work, each panelist drove home the reality of innovation acceleration. The panelists included Victor Aguilar, Procter & Gamble’s Chief R&D and Innovation Officer, Dr. Xiaolan Fu, Professor and Founding Director of Oxford University’s Technology & Management Centre for Development, David Kappos, Partner at Cravath, Swaine & Moore, and former Director of the USPTO, and Caroline Ylitalo, Division Scientist at 3M. Here a few items that resonated with me:

Views from academia, industry and public sector

• Dr. Fu highlighted the case of under-the-radar innovation taking place in developing economies, and how digitalization is changing adoption patterns into and out of LDCs. But it’s not only permeability and diffusion that are changing, it’s also about the impact on labor and the growth in services from disembodying know-how and delivering expertise digitally.
• From the corporate side, 3M’s Caroline Ylitalo spoke of major challenges and trends we face as society. She highlighted the impact of crisis and the opportunities they may arise from it, shown in the surge in demand for N95 masks, and visible also in the utility gains from the digital world’s access to masses of technical information, along with the advent of ideation tools and collaboration platforms.
• P&G’s Victor Aguilar drove home the point of digitalization’s impact for P&G’s goal of improving life, ranging from AI’s contribution to retailing optimization, to its role in designing smart toothbrushes, and to the increasing importance of identifying relevant innovation arising outside P&G.
• Cravath’s David Kappos highlighted how dependent the realization of huge economic output and the delivery of the benefit to society are on making sure ecosystems’ participants do what they do best (per their respective missions)
  • Private sector develops suitable commercially defensible applications,
  • Inventors and their institutions need access to the tools – including collaborative networks – to help convert their innovative insights into invention disclosure and products
  • Governments alone needs to provide money and structure of well-reasoned incentives to grow and make accessible the bounty of fundamental research;the private sector’s need to provide returns to owners makes investment in basic research prohibitive.

Public and private motivations: even if not aligned, good neighbors enable a productive existence

The role of government policy and its ability to create a fertile bed of fundamental research is a topic receiving significant attention. And well it should. Thoughtful and economically supportive public policy for fundamental research can produce huge big social benefits. Once they’re convinced of the business potential prospects, the private sector gets busy converting discoveries from a trove of basic research into commercialized inventions. That’s not all, as “de-risked” innovations come into focus, industry dramatically increases its share of development expense.

Beginning in the 1950s, the space race led to the creation of NASA in the US and its enormous role in driving aerospace research and creating in the process a rich network of public-private collaboration. Sponsored research was involved of course, but government purchases of innovation-based products from the private sector – there was no other buyer – were also a critical factor in clearing a path to commercialization of those space-age inventions.

Enormous productivity flowed from that inventive output which created social benefits many times those of the gains for the private sector in a broad array of fields, such as energy storage, photovoltaics and nuclear energy.

The grand challenges facing us and the need to pay attention to the direction of innovation

As the world faces climate change, ongoing food insecurity, the need for higher levels of education and the preservation of privacy rights, to name some big ones, government can play an important role. While the public sector can’t do a great job of predicting private sector winners, it can do things to even out the playing field through incentives, such as by purchasing from innovative smaller firms willing to take the risk of developing emerging technology.

There is so much inside this report, I am moved to invoke lyrics from OMC’s 1995 hit single, How Bizarre, but with a twist: you don’t need to “buy the rights”, WIPO grants you a free readership license, so download their great Intellectual Property Report 2022: The Direction of Innovation – and enjoy its valuable insights.

BTW, keep an eye out for a future SeedSprint blogpost where we’ll get more into the weeds on a topic WIPO cares a lot about: increasing the efficiency of the critical interplay between innovation-seeking large enterprise on one side, and technology providers on the other, i.e., institutional intermediaries such as TTOs, along with risk-taking micro and SMEs (MSMEs) in the private sector.

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The segment of “Emerging technology startups profiled on SeedSprint” features five life science companies whose tech is innovating treatment and detection efforts in various areas of health, from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases. These companies’ technologies evidence how small, molecular interventions can alter the human life course and display the power of life science R&D in affecting broad, evolutionary change. Read about their impact here!

(1) TargetGene Biotechnologies (Indication(s): Various; Based in Israel)

TargetGene has developed a precise gene-editing platform to treat and cure diseases by permanently editing patients’ DNA. The TargetGene Genome-Editing Engine (TGEE) uses two guide RNAs and allows for greater specificity, safety, and efficiency than existing treatments. As a result, it is possible to treat diseases with only a single treatment as opposed to chronic therapy. At present, Targtene’s TGEE system has been successfully implemented in human cell lines. The company hopes to apply it to human gene therapy soon. View SeedSprint Profile.

(2) Nyrada (Indication(s): Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, and Inflammatory; Based in Australia)

Nyrada is developing novel small molecule drugs for cardiovascular, neuroprotection, and inflammation treatments. The company’s cardiovascular program uses a PCSK9 inhibitor to treat high blood LDL-cholesterol levels in patients who cannot take statin drugs. The neuroprotection program aims to develop a drug that will limit the number of brain cells that die after a stroke or traumatic brain injury, hence reducing the associated long-term disability and improving patient outcomes. Nyrada is also developing drugs to treat inflammation in the cases of peripheral neuropathy and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis. View SeedSprint Profile.

(3) PPB Technology (Indication(s): Various; Based in Australia)

PPB Technology has developed CYBERTONGUE®, a device that can detect lactose and proteases in milk samples in a matter of minutes. This allows producers to quickly test their supply to ensure quality and safety for consumption. CYBERTONGUE®’s biosensor technology is currently being expanded to detect other targets, including allergens, hormones, toxins, antibiotics, and biomarkers for various diseases. The company hopes to further develop its technology for applications in environmental monitoring, biosecurity, and health. View SeedSprint Profile.

(4) ADx Neurosciences (Indication(s): Neuroscience; Based in Belgium)

ADx Neurosciences is developing tailor-made biomarker assays to detect neurodegenerative diseases before symptoms appear. Their solutions are designed to fit individual needs and are scalable and suited for clinical use. This allows In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) companies to focus on drug development with the need for specific biomarkers already resolved. ADx’s portfolio includes biomarkers that detect Alzheimer’s pathology, neuronal damage, synapse degeneration, Lewy bodies, and more. The company is currently working towards ISO certification of its antibody production process. View SeedSprint Profile.

(5) Cellestia Biotech (Indication(s): Oncology; Based in Switzerland)

Cellestia is developing therapies to control pathogenic gene expression in cancer and autoimmune diseases. Their therapies involve selective inhibition of transcription factors in the cell nucleus which were previously undruggable targets. Recent advances have allowed for the identification of molecule binding pockets in these transcription factors that can be targeted with small molecule drugs. Their lead compound, CB-103, is currently in Phase 2 clinical development and is successfully treating patients with ACC, T-ALL, breast cancer, and rare NOTCH-positive tumors. View SeedSprint Profile.

Now more than ever, amidst Covid-19, the life sciences sector plays an essential role in preserving and improving global health. SeedSprint has a growing number of life science startups and technologies like these, and we are excited to see the impact their tech will continue to make.

Interested in learning more about the thousands of companies and technologies on SeedSprint? Keep an eye out for more segments “Emerging technology startups profiled on SeedSprint!”

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At Seedsprint, we’re always on the lookout for new Covid-19-fighting technologies. In the past, we’ve written about how scientists, engineers, and innovators shifted their focus to solving pressing global health issues over the past year due to the pandemic. Just last week, we posted about one of our member startups, Nanolayr (formerly Revolution Fibres). Nanolayr makes nanofibers that are used in protective face masks and other applications. The company recently invested in a new testing machine to test their nanofibers. Pretty cool!

The Covid-19 Task Force and The Commons Project

Last week, Betaworks Studios in New York City hosted the Covid-19 Technology Task Force and The Commons Project for a virtual event called “Using Technology to Prove Covid-19 Test & Vaccination Status.” We had the opportunity to hear Andrew McLaughlin, co-chair of the Covid-19 Tech Task Force, lead a conversation with Paul Meyer, JP Pollak, and Brad Perkins of The Commons Project. 

As vaccine rollouts continue around the world, the next major hurdle is validating Covid-19 testing and vaccination status. Read on to learn more about the latest tech helping us track, manage, and protect against the disease.

Tracking Covid-19 testing and vaccination status

The Commons Project was founded as a non-profit organization in 2019. The project’s mission is to build global-scale digital infrastructure between tech companies, governments, and non-profits. The project initially began by developing the Android equivalent of Apple Health. Most recently, however, the organization has been working on digital vaccine passports. 

The Commons Project’s CommonPass empowers individuals to share their health information. Its Smart Card technology utilizes the SMART on FHIR API to securely access information from healthcare providers. As electronic health records become increasingly important in our healthcare system, this type of technology is in high demand. In the near future, it may help individuals resume air travel, cross borders, and attend sporting events and entertainment venues.  

Most recently, CommonHealth partnered with health insurance providers like Cigna and airlines like JetBlue and Lufthansa. These companies recognize the value of seamlessly accessing customer’s health information.  

Covid-19 and electronic health records

Are you a startup looking to innovate within the electronic health record space? You may be interested in the open-source SMART Health Cards Framework and specifications, which were developed by the Vaccination Credential Initiative.

Around the world, innovative, tech-driven solutions are helping to curb the pandemic and guide safe reopening protocols. Check out our past post on 9 startups on SeedSprint focused on applying their technology to combating the COVID-19 pandemic to learn more about this topic. We also recommend our post on how the pandemic has changed the tech transfer landscape. Stay tuned for more innovative solutions to stopping the spread of Covid-19 and preventing future pandemics.

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In the Spring of 2020, Covid-19 suddenly changed our lives and the ways we interact with each other. However, over the past year or so, many new technologies were rapidly introduced to combat these challenges. SeedSprint member, NanoLayr (formerly Revolution Fibres), is at the forefront of this battle. They are protecting frontline workers through their innovative personal protective equipment (PPE) technology.   

NanoLayr Invests in PALAS Testing Machine to Fight the Spread of Covid-19 

NanoLayr is a New Zealand-based nanofiber company that we have featured previously on the blog. The company recently made a significant investment in a PALAS testing machine to enhance the development and performance of its filtration media. The PALAS PMFT 1000 testing rig is one of the world’s leading machines in testing masks for their ability to filter particles, bacteria, and viruses such as Covid-19. Over the course of the pandemic, PALAS has been providing many hospitals with the ability to test the protective masks they use. This effort has helped to contain the spread and protect frontline workers.  

Instantaneous Testing Improves Efficiency in Mask Production 

As many of us know, Covid-19 spreads easily from person to person. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, spreads more efficiently than influenza in current studies. Since it most commonly spreads through close contact, especially through respiratory droplets and through airborne transmission, authentic PPE levels are crucial to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ray Connor, NanoLayr’s CEO, says the PALAS testing machine is key to advancing the performance of its FilterLayr nanofibre filter media product. The FilterLayr filter media is used in face masks that meet and exceed N95 and N99 standards. “The PALAS enables us to test face masks to ensure they meet required standards and properly protect people and health workers who are on the frontline of the pandemic in New Zealand and around the world,” says Connor.

PALAS allows NanoLayr to test its filters instantly at required international standards. In the past, the company had to send the material overseas to be tested. The testing rig can evaluate respiratory masks more effectively than standard testing with an exact analysis of filter mask efficiency for SARS-CoV-2 (size approx. 120 nm up to 160 nm). When the products are ready to take to market, they are sent to a third-party testing lab for certification.  

Nanofibre filters are the future of COVID-19 Protection Equipment 

The PALAS testing machine has played an instrumental role in the advancement of filter media with added functionality, including anti-microbial properties. The diameters of nanofibre range from 10-300 nanometres, which is 10-100 times smaller than conventional melt-blown microfibres.

Dr. Gareth Beckermann, Technical Manager at NanoLayr, says “Nanofiber filter media is very effective in protecting against viruses such as Covid, bacteria and other toxic particles which can be just 100 nanometres. Our nanofibre filter media can trap 99% of microscopic particles such as spores, allergens, and bacteria.”

Nanofiber is also recognized as a more breathable fabric available for filter media. This feature makes it a more comfortable and effective way to protect against Covid-19.

NanoLayr supplies filtration media to multiple overseas face mask manufacturers, such as HALO in the US. They also supply media to HVAC systems, including leading New Zealand home solutions company HRV. The PALAS machine is one of the many ways NanoLayr is working to meet high international demand for their products.  

Companies like NanoLayr are bringing increasingly effective products to market to protect individuals from Covid-19. As we all adjust to this virus, even more solutions will be introduced. Keep an eye out for more posts from SeedSprint on emerging technologies! 

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In this installment of ‘Emerging technology startups profiled on SeedSprint’, we recognize 9 startups that are leveraging their technologies to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. These startups have transformed their existing innovations or ramped up the development of new tech to help address the multifaceted challenges presented by the virus.

Here are some of the startups that you’ll find on SeedSprint that are at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19:

(1) NS Nanotech (Technology area: Optics and Electronics, Based in Michigan, USA)

NS Nanotech’s ShortWaveLight™ Emitters produce invisible UV light via their patented nitride semiconductor technology. This far-UVC light inactivates human coronaviruses and flu viruses. The technology offers the ability to disinfect without contact and the hazard of current germicidal UV lights. The Emitters are integrated into their personal, portable ShortWaveLight™ Purifiers. These devices can disinfect both surfaces and air to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. View SeedSprint profile.

(2) AccuBreath (Technology area: Medical Devices, Based in Utah, USA)

AccuBreath has developed a portable and easy-to-use ventilator that has the potential to treat Covid-19 patients requiring ventilation in emergencies, or patients at home needing temporary assistance. The company’s ventilator can be powered by either battery or a wall power source. Further, it can be operated by users who are not medical professionals. AccuBreath is currently finishing its prototype and plans to apply for FDA Emergency Use Authorization to help meet the demand for ventilators during future waves of the pandemic. View SeedSprint profile.

(3) NuvOx Pharma (Technology Area: Pharmaceuticals, Based in Arizona, USA)

We previously featured NuvOx Pharma on our blog for their novel NanoO2™ technology. NanoO2™ increases the delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the tissue via dodecafluoropentane microbubbles. In response to the current health crisis, NuvOx has begun exploring their NanoO2™ technology as a treatment for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which is a serious complication of Covid-19. The company is currently in phase IIa clinical trials for the treatment of ARDS in Covid-19 patients. View SeedSprint profile.

(4) Breathe99 (Technology Area: Medical Devices, Based In: Minnesota, USA)

Breathe99 has developed industrial-grade B2 filters and facemasks to help protect against environmental aerial contaminants and aerosols. These B2 filters are composed of four layers, including two filtering polypropylene layers. The spun-bond polypropylene layer’s electrostatic charge traps particles as small as 0.1 micrometers. Meanwhile, the melt-blown polypropylene layer’s fine mesh physically obstructs particles. The masks’ filters can be replaced and their accompanying outer covering is washable and reusable, which reduces waste compared to other industrial face masks. Breathe99’s masks are commercially available for non-medical use. In the longer term, the company plans to seek certification for medical use from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. View SeedSprint profile.

(5) MindCheck (Technology Area: Digital Health, Based in Australia)

MindCheck has developed a series of web-based mental health assessments. Users can take these assessments to check and track their levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. MindCheck’s assessments are completely confidential. Users can take advantage of the tool to increase awareness of their emotional state, assess environmental and lifestyle factors that may contribute to distress, and select from individualized recommendations and actions to address their needs. The current health crisis has been socially and emotionally taxing for all, so MindCheck’s online software is a great way to stay on top of your mental and emotional health. MindCheck’s assessments are available to both individuals and organizations. View SeedSprint profile.

(6) Aequor (Technology Area: Chemical, Based in California, USA)

We previously featured Aequor in another edition of ’emerging technology startups profiled on SeedSprint’ for their innovative non-toxic biocides and dispersants. We think their technology is pretty neat. In response to Covid-19, Aequor’s microbial testing has been busy advising businesses on effective cleaning protocols so they can operate safely. At the same time, Aequor has been hard at work continuously improving its antimicrobial cleaners and water treatments. Their hope is to tackle resistant ‘superbugs’ using nontoxic formulations to protect our health as well as the environment. View SeedSprint profile.

(7) Enable Biosciences (Technology Area: Diagnostics, Based in California, USA)

Enable Biosciences has leveraged their antibody detection platform to create highly sensitive and specific immunoassays for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Their assays can be used in both serum and dried blood spot samples. Their ADAP (Antibody Detection by Agglutination PCR) diagnostic platform works by binding to antibodies via a DNA-antigen conjugate. The aggregates that form from these antigen-DNA conjugates and human antibodies can then be detected and quantified via PCR. The company’s SARS-CoV-2 serum assay has been approved by the FDA for emergency use. Meanwhile, they have submitted their dried blood spot assay to the FDA for review; it is currently available for research use. View SeedSprint profile.

(8) Liberate Medical (Technology Area: Medical Devices, Based in Kentucky, USA)

Advanced Covid-19 cases often require patients to receive mechanical ventilation. Among other complications, ventilation can lead to respiratory muscle atrophy if use is prolonged. Disuse muscle atrophy can make weaning off of mechanical ventilation difficult, lengthen ICU stays, and increase mortality. Luckily, Liberate Medical’s novel VentFree Respiratory Muscle Stimulator prevents respiratory muscle atrophy via electrical stimulation to contract respiratory muscles in sync with mechanical respiration. This method can be used from the onset of mechanical ventilation, which may reduce the length of time that patients must be ventilated. Liberate Medical’s ventilator has received emergency use authorization in the US and has received CE marking in the EEA. View SeedSprint profile.

(9) Grip Molecular (Technology Area: Diagnostics, Based in Minnesota, USA)

Grip Molecular is developing a chip-based Covid-19 diagnostic test that uses 3D printed graphene nanoelectronics to detect both nucleic acid and antibodies in patient samples. The assay uses solid-state electronics rather than chemical reagents, making it fast, cost-effective, and portable. By detecting both nucleic acid and antibodies, the test can determine the state of Covid infections, and can even be read on a smartphone. GRIP Molecular is working to rapidly develop its technology, which has the potential to lead to faster and more complete Covid-19 diagnoses. View SeedSprint profile.

Innovations like these will help limit the spread of Covid-19 and lead to better health outcomes for patients. We commend these startups for channeling their expertise to help tackle the diverse challenges that we face as a result of the current health crisis.

Keep your eyes peeled for future installments of ‘Emerging technologies profiled on SeedSprint’ to learn about more impactful technologies and startups!

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VIC Technology Venture Development is an investor group focused on creating new companies based on life science and emerging technology innovation, sourced directly from universities, institutes, and national labs around the world.

Feature Article: VIC Portfolio Companies and Pipeline Technologies with Pandemic Impact

Our current daily activities bear little resemblance to the routines as of as recently as a month ago. Covid-19 has had an obvious and significant impact on the American people. For those suffering from chronic conditions such as dementia, diabetes, heart, and respiratory disease, the health impact during traumatic periods such as this is magnified. Read the full article on the VIC blog >>

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The current public health crisis has changed the way we live and work. With the advent of social distancing, shelter-in-place policies, and telecommuting for those who can do so, life looks a little different these days.

While many of us wake up each morning and “commute” to our home offices or kitchen tables, healthcare workers and essential employees report to the frontlines — among them, scientists, engineers, and technology innovators who report to the lab each day.

And it’s safe to say, scientists, engineers, and innovators have stepped up to the challenge. They are working intently and purposefully to make urgently-needed treatments, vaccines, and critical supplies available — and fast.

In fact, scientific innovation and much-needed collaborations have exploded since Covid-19. It seems that open innovation has never been more in vogue. Here are some of the latest innovations in response to the health crisis that we found inspiring — and we think you will, too.

The race to develop effective treatments and vaccines

Advances in genetic technology over the past 10 to 15 years have provided awesome tools. Within a month of Covid-19’s emergence, researchers sequenced the genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the single-stranded RNA virus responsible for the disease. And in just a few weeks, scientists around the world began working on vaccine candidates.

Moderna Therapeutics, in collaboration with the NIH, is pioneering one such effort. Moderna developed a new approach to a vaccine based on their RNA virus technology. The vaccine candidate entered Phase I clinical trials in mid-March. And if all goes well, the candidate will be fast-tracked by the FDA. Many challenges lie ahead for the vaccine to be declared both safe and effective, but experts are hopeful that the Moderna vaccine will reach the global market as early as 2021.

A vaccine is critical for the prevention of Covid-19 infections, but we also need effective treatments. Unfortunately, drug development is a slow process. Like vaccines, new drugs must undergo rigorous testing before reaching patients.

One way to bypass this problem is to re-purpose existing drugs for new uses. Drugs on the market for other indications have already been declared safe by the FDA. Amongst these, Gilead recently entered Phase III clinical trials in the US for the antiviral compound, Remdesivir.

In the past, Remsdesivir has been used to treat Ebola. In the fight against Covid-19, Remsdesivir has already been used as an experimental therapy in over 1,000 cases. The results show some promise, but only time will tell if Remsdesivir can effectively treat the disease.

Preventing community spread with effective screening

Early detection of Covid-19 has been a problem since the beginning of the health crisis. The test that is currently available relies primarily on polymer-chain-reaction (PCR) technology. PCR requires specialized staff, equipment, and many hours to read results.

To overcome this challenge, the Brazilian medtech startup, Hi Technologies, is developing a portable diagnostic system called HiLab. The HiLab system consists of a mini-lab set up and a test kit.

Hi Technologies promises to deliver test results in 15 minutes without the need for specialized staff or a laboratory environment. They plan to begin patient testing in mid-April.

As rapid tests become available, healthcare providers can test more people. With wider testing, we can gain deeper statistical insights into the disease and the crisis as a whole. These insights will also allow us to better flatten the curve to prevent our healthcare systems from becoming saturated. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Hi Technologies and their HiLabs testing system!

A new generation of PPE

Critical medical supplies have been in extremely low supply since the beginning of March. Some of these supplies include protective face masks, face shields, and sanitizers. But innovators around the world are working hard to fight this shortage. They are well on their way to developing better personal protective equipment (PPE), and even new ways of manufacturing it.

At Northwestern University in Chicago, one research team has developed self-sanitizing face masks. Another group started 3D printing face shields.

In Israel, two startup companies, Argaman and Sonovia, have pioneered novel reusable antiviral masks. The masks offer greater sustainability than single-use surgical masks and standard N95 masks, without compromising safety.

From the US to Israel and beyond, new products, designs, and manufacturing methods can help us overcome acute PPE shortages — and may even mark the beginning of the next generation of PPE.

The importance of tracking epidemiological data

Data science and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have dominated the tech world for the past several years. It’s no surprise, then, that these technologies are emerging as key players in the fight against Covid-19.

The Toronto-based startup, BlueDot, is using AI to track the current health crisis, and also to predict new epidemics. Armed with this technology, we can better prepare for infectious diseases and prevent further spread, thus minimizing the impact of these diseases on our communities.

Meanwhile, researchers at MIT and Harvard, in collaboration with major tech companies like Uber and Facebook, have developed an open-source software called Private Kit: Safe Paths. The software detects local infections and alerts users if they have encountered an infected individual. Private Kit: Safe Paths is a game-changer for contact tracing. If we can effectively identify and isolate individuals who have been infected, we can prevent new hotspots from cropping up.

The Covid-19 crisis evolves daily. Luckily, there is no shortage of innovations seeking to help.

Have you come across another inventive solution to the healthcare crisis you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comments!

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