Cedars-Sinai Kicks off New Tech Accelerator Class
Ten innovative health-tech companies that completed the fall 2017 session of the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator Powered by Techstars have announced new contracts and partnerships to bring their leading-edge technologies to patient care.
Nine out of the 10 companies has a pilot or commercial deal with Cedars-Sinai itself, but a number of companies also have deals with other hospitals, payers, or pharma companies. One, Tasso, has a $6 million grant contract with the Department of Defense.
“The way I think of it is the demo day is a culmination and it’s a starting point,” Accelerator Director Omkar Kulkarni told MobiHealthNews. “During the program, what they’re really doing is figuring out where their product fits in the actual healthcare landscape, who has an interest, where the workflow makes sense, where it makes sense as a value proposition, who’s willing to pay for it and how much. … In the three months they’re basically figuring out how their product could be used in a healthcare system, and if all those dots align then by demo day they’re able to announce that they’re going to do it.”
Here are the companies:
Aiva — an Alexa-like voice-powered device that replaces
the patient button and allows hospital patients to send requests to their caregivers, which will then route it to the correct department. Aiva announced contracts with Cedars-Sinai, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and a local skilled nursing facility, and hopes to have 100 live beds before the new year.CancerAid — One of the top apps for cancer patients — providing individualized cancer therapy information and resources — announced contracts with three hospitals, including the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
CareScriptions by Seremedi — A mobile patient-care solution that helps equip home caregivers with tools and education has a contract with Cedars-Sinai and three other hospitals, including the University of Texas and MD Anderson Cancer Center.
ChoiceMap — A system that helps patients understand treatment options and helps care teams tailor clinical decisions to each person’s needs will begin a pilot program with a primary care practice in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Network.
Gyant — A mobile app that uses artificial intelligence to help doctors diagnose, prescribe and recommend treatment options now has a contract with Merck and European insurance giant Allianz.
Invio — A content management system that replaces the need for paper and regulatory binders in clinical trials will test its technology in 10 studies being conducted at Cedars-Sinai.
Lumeon — A digital health company with a care pathway orchestration platform will pilot its technology with Cedars-Sinai and already has launched at 1,800 hospitals and clinics in the United Kingdom.
NarrativeDX — An advanced patient experience platform with an artificial intelligence comment-processing platform that analyzes, diagnoses, and pinpoints patients’ experiences and provides actionable insights now has a contract with Cedars-Sinai as well as 10 other U.S. hospitals.
Sway Health — An app that provides digital preventive counseling has a contract with National Jewish Health.
HemoLink by Tasso — A virtually painless blood-collection device that allows patients to draw their own blood samples for lab testing has a contract with Merck to help with the pharmaceutical company’s clinical trials. It also has a contract with Insource Diagnostics and a deal with the U.S. Department of Defense and a partnership with Cedars-Sinai.
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The start-ups in this programme received a $20,000 investment and a $100,000 convertible bridge grant in exchange for a 6 percent equity stake. But the main draw has been the opportunity to work with the health system, through guaranteed mentorship relationships and the strong possibility of a pilot.
