Neurotech Vendors Use the Cloud to Advance Therapies
by James Cavuoto, editor
December 2021 issue
Vendors of neuromodulation and neurosensing systems are increasingly looking to the cloud to manage the massive amounts of data collected by their systems and to distribute that data in a meaningful way. Recently, two emerging neurotech firms announced new platforms that open the door to relationships with large medtech and pharma firms.
Palo Alto, CA-based Inscopix, Inc. announced that it has launched IDEAS, a cloud-based platform for enterprises that supports the integration, organization, management and sharing of neuroscience research, data, and methods to accelerate development of the next-generation of neurotherapeutics.
Today, neuroscience groups frequently use multiple data-rich technologies, including behavioral tools, electrophysiology, 1- and 2-photon imaging, microscopy and fMRI. Effectively managing and efficiently analyzing the vast datasets collected from these technologies is a major challenge. Most data is stored in large, proprietary files within siloed locations only accessible by a single user, making the data extremely difficult to organize, retrieve, correlate, visualize or share within the lab or external collaborators. Sharing analysis workflows and dataset visualizations with other colleagues is difficult, meaning powerful insights may remain uncovered or forcing time-consuming duplication of analysis efforts. Additionally, these teams frequently need to bring in bioinformaticists to standardize and unify their data.
“Inscopix has built a revolutionary, integrated technology which will enable scientists to create standardized, customizable push-button workflows that can analyze, store and share datasets across all modalities—from imaging to behavior to electrophysiology—and drive deeper understanding of the brain,” said Kunal Ghosh, CEO of Inscopix. “This AI platform will help researchers cut data analysis times from months to weeks or even hours; quickly share and synchronize results with colleagues; and supercharge the potential of these imaging technologies to reveal clinically-predictive and precise preclinical models for the discovery and development of the next generation of neurotherapeutics.”
Another new firm, Mountain View, CA-based NextSense, came out of stealth at the recent American Epilepsy Society meeting earlier this month. NextSense unlocks brain health with real world data insights and practical, scientific wisdom for daily living.
The NextSense platform starts with longitudinal EEG data collected at the point of experience with biosensing earbuds that can be worn comfortably at night and as-needed throughout the day. The company envisions combining that data with environmental and behavioral patterns collected from smart devices and timely analysis from its team of neuroscientists to help doctors identify triggers, diagnose certain conditions and tailor treatment and medication recommendations in real-time.
At the AES meeting, NextSense detailed its key relationship with biopharma partner UCB. The company also revealed research and IP agreements with both Heraeus and UC San Diego, as well as a multi-dimensional collaboration with researchers at Emory University.
“We believe that technologies that enable earlier detection of seizures and improve the coordination of care for people living with epilepsy complement UCB’s strong heritage in epilepsy and portfolio of medicines,” said Colin Lake, vice president of digital business transformation for neurology at UCB.
