NeuroVision Imaging Inc. made headlines earlier this month with the announcement that the healthcare technology company was acquiring Durin Life Sciences Inc., developer of noninvasive diagnostic tools for neurodegenerative disorders.
Let’s get acquainted with these players.
Headquartered in Sacramento, California, NeuroVision is best known for its retinal imaging technology designed for early detection of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s).
Prior to its acquisition of Durin, this technology encompassed two integrated platforms intended to “close the gap” in the cognitive care journey:
- BrainHealth Clinic (telehealth care)
- Afina Retinal Imaging
Tell me about the platforms.
First up: As a comprehensive telehealth platform, the BrainHealth Clinic manages the full, cognitive care patient journey via a science-based program for those at risk or in the early stages of cognitive impairment. Among its services:
- Cognitive testing and risk assessments
- Expert consultation with a neurologist
- Neurodiagnostic laboratory services
- Personalized lifestyle plan
And that second platform?
This is where the ophthalmic component comes in.
Afina Retinal Imaging is a cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) imaging pathway designed for identifying retinal signatures linked to neurodegenerative diseases and monitoring treatment safety.
Included in its capabilities:
- Quick (less than 1 minute) non-invasive scanning
- AI-based analysis of disease signatures
- Research and validation via academic, medical institutions, and industry partners
So where do Durin and its technology fit into this?
The venture-backed developer’s diagnostic tech—dubbed Duritect, a blood-based autoantibody (biomarker) test—is the latest (and final) component to NeuroVision’s integrated platforms.
What it does: Combines a blood test with advanced machine learning technology to gauge (via a risk score prediction) a patient's risk for having (or developing) Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s
How it does this: By leveraging the immune system’s “unique yet consistent reaction to the presence of disease pathology” to identify specific autoantibodies with the blood as biomarkers for the neurodegenerative diseases
- See here for a step-by-step rundown of this workflow.
Explain the why for using autoantibodies as biomarkers.
We’ve got six reasons, all backed up by clinical research:
- They appear early (in the blood) in response to disease development.
- They can be measured via a minimally-invasive (and cost-effective) blood test.
- They appear in unique “patterns,” depending on a disease’s stage.
- They're naturally abundant and stable in blood, making lab testing easier.
- Their levels and patterns could potentially help track disease progression over time.
- This form of testing may be adaptable across several neurological diseases, enabling a broader screening platform.
Check out this study for further in-depth insights.
Has Duritect already integrated into NeuroVision’s offerings?
Indeed it has. See for yourself.
As for the acquisition: NeuroVision has folded Durin into the company to operate under the NeuroVision name with its co-founder and CEO Steven Verdooner continuing at the helm.
- Ric Edelman, Durin’s majority owner, has also joined NeuroVision’s Board of Directors.
And before you ask: No, no monetary details were shared regarding the transaction.
Noted. And what’s this combined company’s goal moving forward?
NeuroVision hopes to accelerate the development—and eventual commercialization—of its integrated platform of diagnostic solutions for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Other related neurological disorders
Anything else?
While still investigational, these diagnostic tools have wide-reaching potential for use in a broader category of clinical workflows (think: primary care and health systems) and patients.