AI Reveals Hidden Lung Damage by COVID-19

FEATURED RESEARCH ANALYSIS

AI Reveals Hidden Lung Damage by COVID-19

As COVID-19 fades from headlines, its long-term health impacts persist. A study by Georgia Tech and Emory University used AI to reveal hidden lung damage in severe COVID-19 cases, highlighting the virus's lasting effects.

Key findings: AI analysis of over 3,443 CT scans showed significant shape alterations in the mediastinal surfaces of the lungs in severe cases, while mild cases had minimal changes. These deformities reduce lung volume and can cause permanent damage, such as fibrosis.

Why it’s challenging: Integrating this AI-driven method for quick diagnostics poses challenges, particularly due to the cumbersome process of obtaining CT scans. However, its potential for targeted testing during future outbreaks is promising.

The big picture: Beyond COVID-19, this research opens new avenues for studying other pulmonary diseases like asthma and lung cancer. Early detection and intervention are crucial for better disease management.

Understanding these changes can significantly impact future treatments and our overall approach to respiratory health.

For more details: Full Analysis

Brain Booster

Which tropical disease becomes more prevalent with the onset of the rainy season in June?

1. Malaria

2. Tuberculosis

3. Cholera

4. Zika virus

See below for the answer!

Seed to Success

DRUG DISCOVERY

Formation Bio Secures $372M to Accelerate AI-Driven Drug Development

Formation Bio specializes in leveraging AI to expedite drug development. The company's platform integrates AI with biological research to predict the efficacy and safety of compounds, accelerating the drug discovery process and optimizing novel therapeutics.

Funding: Raised $372 million in Series D.

Backers: Led by Sanofi

What’s next: Formation Bio will expand its drug pipeline, enhance its AI platform, and increase partnerships with pharma companies and academic institutions.

Why it matters: This substantial investment highlights the growing confidence in AI's ability to transform drug development. By improving the speed and accuracy of drug discovery, Formation Bio could bring new treatments to market faster.

For more details: Full Press Release

💰 7 Other funded companies

1. Qure.ai receives a strategic investment from Merck Global Health Innovation Fund to enhance its AI-powered medical imaging solutions and expand its reach into the U.S. market. [Link]

2. Zoi Capital has launched a $200 million fund focused on AI technologies with practical healthcare applications, led by industry veterans aiming to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiencies in healthcare. [Link]

3. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, and University Hospitals received a $2.78 million federal grant to use AI in improving rectal cancer treatment by analyzing MRI scans to better personalize patient therapy. [Link]

4. EvolutionaryScale raised $142 million and launched ESM3, an AI model for protein discovery, to boost drug development and synthetic biology, with backing from Amazon, NVIDIA, and Lux Capital. [Link]

5. AWS is investing $10 million in GenAI and cloud innovation to advance pediatric healthcare, with funding going to several hospitals and the AWS IMAGINE Grant program. [Link]

6. Adonis raised $31 million in Series B funding led by Point72 Private Investments to enhance healthcare financial outcomes and patient experiences through AI. [Link]

7. Cloudphysician raised $10.5 million to expand its AI platform, RADAR, which provides remote critical care by connecting ICUs with specialist doctors to improve patient outcomes. [Link]

New Partnerships

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

Eli Lilly and OpenAI Partner to Combat Drug-Resistant Bacteria with AI Innovations

Eli Lilly and Company, a global leader in pharmaceuticals, is partnering with OpenAI to harness generative AI for the discovery of new medicines aimed at combating drug-resistant bacteria.

Why it matters: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing public health crisis, causing approximately 1.27 million deaths annually and contributing to nearly 5 million deaths globally. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics accelerate this issue, making it crucial to find innovative solutions to combat resistant infections, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the burden is highest.

Key benefit: The partnership leverages OpenAI’s advanced AI capabilities to expedite the identification and development of new antimicrobials.

Next steps: Lilly plans to integrate AI-driven research into its broader drug development pipeline and continue its involvement in initiatives like the AMR Action Fund.

For more details: Full Press Release

🤝 6 Other collaborations shaping the future

1. SoftBank and Tempus have established SB TEMPUS, a joint venture focused on using AI and medical data to advance precision medicine in Japan, aiming to improve personalized healthcare by analyzing genomic and clinical data. [Link]

2. Proscia and Nucleai have partnered to integrate Nucleai’s AI predictive biomarker solutions, aiming to enhance clinical trials and treatment decisions by utilizing AI to analyze pathology data for precision medicine. [Link]

3. UltraSight has partnered with Butterfly Network to integrate its AI real-time guidance software into Butterfly’s handheld ultrasound devices, aiming to improve access to cardiac imaging and enable more healthcare professionals to perform ultrasounds. [Link]

4. Medasense partnered with Nihon Kohden Corporation to distribute its AI-based pain monitoring technology globally, enhancing patient pain management. [Link]

5. BioAI partnered with Genomic Testing Cooperative to provide AI-powered digital pathology solutions for clinical research and diagnostics, enhancing genomic biomarker screening and improving patient care in oncology. [Link]

6. Helix and Recursion have partnered to leverage Helix's clinico-genomic data for AI-driven drug discovery, aiming to accelerate the development of precision medicines by integrating real-world clinical records with genomic data. [Link]

Milestone Moments

⚡3 Product launches

1. South Korea approved its first AI-powered skin cancer detection solution, developed by LifeSemantics, which uses smartphone images to diagnose skin cancer. [Link]

2. Sonia's AI chatbot, designed to assist therapists, provides mental health support by interacting with patients and offering therapeutic conversations. [Link]

3. Solventum introduced an AI-powered Denials Prevention Solution to help health systems reduce write-offs and improve revenue by identifying and addressing claims denials before they occur. [Link]

Opinion and Perspectives

ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN

Physicians at the University of Utah Health Praise AI for Improving Patient Interaction

The big picture: University of Utah Health physicians have embraced artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance clinical documentation.

The system, employing Microsoft's Nuance DAX co-pilot integrated with Epic's mobile app, has streamlined note-taking, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient interaction and less on administrative tasks.

Why it’s important: AI has significantly improved the workflow for over 150 clinicians, reducing time spent on electronic health records (EHR) and improving patient engagement.

The technology, though expensive, is seen as a valuable investment for better patient care and clinician efficiency.

What’s next: The health system is refining the AI co-pilot and exploring its use in other medical fields while addressing adoption barriers like cost and training. With ongoing feedback, the technology is expected to become even more integrated and effective in clinical settings.

For more details: Full Article

We Value Your Thoughts!

Trivia Answer: Malaria

The onset of the rainy season increases mosquito breeding grounds, leading to a higher prevalence of malaria, which is transmitted by mosquitoes.

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