Will You Get Long COVID? This New AI Model Has the Answer

FEATURED RESEARCH

Will You Get Long COVID? This New AI Model Has the Answer

Long COVID is the lingering effect of COVID-19, and we still don’t know how common it is. That’s where the Long COVID Computational Challenge comes in.

From August to December 2022, 74 teams of researchers competed to create machine learning models that predict who might develop Long COVID.

They used data from over 7 million patients from 75 healthcare institutions in the National COVID Cohort Collaborative.

What they found: The top 10 models all achieved an impressive accuracy of over 80% in predicting Long COVID risk.

The winning team from the University of Chicago created a model that reached 89.5% accuracy. They even developed a dashboard that updates a patient's risk in real-time, providing a powerful tool for clinicians.

Why it matters: This challenge proved that AI can help identify Long COVID risk with unprecedented accuracy.

These models could make post-COVID care more proactive, helping doctors predict, prepare, and prevent long-term impacts for patients still feeling the effects of COVID-19.

The data? It’s big—over 11 million records—and it’s key to cracking the mystery of Long COVID.

This is just the beginning. With more work, these models could soon find their way into clinics, making Long COVID prediction faster and more reliable.

For more details: Full Article

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Funds Raised

ROBOTICS

Mendaera Secures $73M to Scale Robotics and AI for Everyday Medical Procedures

Mendaera, a Silicon Valley-based healthcare tech company, just secured $73 million in Series B funding to develop its groundbreaking handheld robotic platform.

Led by Threshold Ventures and joined by investors like Lux Capital and Fred Moll, this funding will fuel Mendaera’s mission to bring robotics and AI into mainstream medical procedures.

Why does it matter? The healthcare system is under strain with shortages of skilled professionals and rising costs. Everyday procedures like biopsies, vascular access, and pain management interventions are facing bottlenecks.

While robotics has made waves in surgery, Mendaera is pushing this technology beyond the OR, targeting these routine but critical procedures.

Their platform integrates AI, real-time imaging, and virtual connectivity to help ease the demand on healthcare providers while maintaining quality and efficiency.

What they’re saying: Founder and CEO Josh DeFonzo highlights that Mendaera’s goal is to scale medical procedures to meet growing demand, improve patient experience, and lower costs.

With its focus on everyday healthcare needs, Mendaera aims to reshape how common procedures are delivered.

Mendaera’s dream of smarter, more efficient healthcare is now closer than ever thanks to this funding.

For more details: Full Press Release

💰 4 Other funded companies

1. Healthcare AI firm Qure.ai raised $65M in Series D funding to boost U.S. expansion, enhance disease detection models, and pursue med-tech acquisitions. [Link]

2. Ferrum Health raised $16M in Series A funding led by Foundry to expand its vendor-neutral AI platform, which enhances patient outcomes and operational efficiency for healthcare providers. [Link]

3. French startup SURGAR raised €11 million to advance its augmented reality solutions for minimally invasive surgery, aiming to enhance precision and reduce complications in procedures like liver, kidney, and fibroid surgeries. [Link]

4. Mediwhale raised $12M in Series A2 funding to enhance its AI diagnostics, pursue FDA approval for its Reti-CVD product, and expand globally. [Link]

New Partnerships

PROTEIN THERAPEUTICS

Novartis Strikes $1B Deal with Generate Biomedicines to Advance AI-Driven Protein Therapies

In a major move, Novartis has inked a deal with Flagship-founded Generate Biomedicines worth over $1 billion.

The partnership focuses on developing protein-based therapeutics using Generate’s generative AI platform. The initial $65 million includes a $15 million equity purchase, with milestone payments potentially pushing the deal well into the billion-dollar range.

Why it matters: This collaboration aims to speed up drug development by combining Novartis’ expertise in clinical development with Generate’s cutting-edge AI platform.

By using machine learning and high-throughput experimental validation, the goal is to bring new, more efficient treatments to market.

This deal builds on Generate’s reputation for innovative biopharma tie-ups—following a $1.9 billion agreement with Amgen in 2022—and further establishes their role in using AI to tackle unmet medical needs.

What they’re saying: Generate CEO Mike Nally shared, “Partnering with a world-leading organization like Novartis allows us to use our generative biology platform to create better medicines for patients, faster.”

With two candidates already in the clinic and more on the way, Generate’s pipeline is set to grow significantly.

For more details: Full Press Release

🤝 2 Other collaborations shaping the future

1. AstraZeneca extended its AI-powered immuno-oncology partnership with Immunai, committing $18 million for the first phase to enhance cancer immunotherapy trials. [Link]

2. Orion Corporation and Aitia have entered a collaboration to leverage Aitia's AI-driven "Digital Twins" technology for discovering and developing new cancer treatments, with Aitia eligible for over $10 million per drug target and royalties on future sales. [Link]

Milestone Moments

⚡4 Product launches, 1 milestone, 1 regulatory approval

1. Merck secured options on two AI-designed vaccines from Evaxion Biotech, paying $3.2 million upfront with potential milestones exceeding $1 billion for preclinical candidates targeting gonorrhea and another undisclosed infectious disease. [Link]

2. Nabla expanded its AI note-taking solution to support 31 additional languages, including Mandarin, Russian, and Portuguese, aiming to improve healthcare accessibility and reduce errors for non-English speakers in the U.S. [Link]

3. Kyruus Health launched two AI-powered products, Guide for conversational care search and Provider Data Solutions for provider data management, aimed at improving health plan member experiences and engagement. [Link]

4. Inbiome received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its Molecular Culture ID, a diagnostic tool that uses AI to quickly identify over 200 bacterial species, aiming for a U.S. market launch in 2026 with ongoing partnerships in leading hospitals. [Link]

5. Nevro launched HFX AdaptivAI™, the first AI-driven spinal cord stimulation system, offering real-time, personalized pain relief using insights from over 100 million data points, with FDA approval and a full U.S. market release expected by late 2024. [Link]

6. RxPreferred launched Rx-Performance, an AI-driven program to reduce patient out-of-pocket drug costs by comparing copay options, with savings available to members starting January 2025. [Link]

Opinion and Perspectives

AI IN HEALTHCARE

AI in Small-Town Hospitals: A Lifeline or a Recipe for Disaster?

Healthcare is quickly integrating AI across various functions, from administration to patient care. Big hospitals and academic centers are seeing positive results, but how does AI impact rural healthcare? There are pros and cons.

The Good: Expanding care. Avera, based in Sioux Falls, SD, uses AI and virtual care to increase access in rural areas. Dr. Ronald Place highlights how these tools help manage limited staff while maintaining high-quality care.

Northern Inyo Healthcare District sees AI improving diagnostics and personalized treatments. Plus, automating revenue cycle processes helps hospitals like Great Falls reduce costly claim denials, a major win for rural facilities.

The Bad: Tech and security challenges. However, Sheri Strobel, CIO at Chapters Health System, warns that integrating AI with older systems is complex and expensive, especially for budget-strapped rural hospitals.

Cybersecurity is another major concern. Michael Archuleta, CIO at Mt. San Rafael Hospital, notes that new tech can increase vulnerability to cyberattacks, a risk many rural hospitals can't afford.

In the end, AI offers rural healthcare exciting opportunities, but balancing these with the risks is essential. Without the right resources, AI could create as many problems as it solves.

For more details: Full Article

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