canada's 10 most valuable healthcare solution providers july 2021

Tim Rice | CEO

A Revolutionary Platform Aiding Healthcare Experts for Improved Healthcare Outcomes

www.insightscare.com

2021VOL- 07

ISSUE 06

Shields UpImportance of

Cybersecurity forHealthcare

Organizations

Un-distanceThe Rise of AI in Healthcare

Everything You Should Know

The Rounds was

built to support

digital

transformation,

so the pandemic

has accelerated

our position in

the healthcare

ecosystem.

““

he progress that the healthcare industry has made in Tthe last many decades is simply stupefying. Particularly, its adoption of technologies to provide

positive patient outcomes in a short period is commendable.

The global pandemic only emphasized the need to embrace, disrupt and exploit technology to the best of everyone’s benefit. Globally, healthcare solution providers are adapting to the latest technologies as and when they are introduced.

Canada has always focussed on positive health outcomes and boasts of a vibrant healthcare system. Indisputably, the country's healthcare solution providers altered their operations with the demands of the time – particularly during the pandemic.

When the turmoil triggered by the coronavirus left the world in confusion and all industries had to halt operations abruptly, the health space and allied sectors swung into action. It was in demand majorly, but the challenges to meet people’s healthcare needs were daunting. Canada switched over to healthcare platforms before the advent of the global pandemic. During the lockdowns, the country’s healthcare solution providers improved the online platforms quickly by adopting newer technologies.

These platforms provide consultations and solutions to people and help healthcare professionals interact with peers and experts. Besides, hi-tech medical innovations have also helped medical professionals to heal complex problems.

An added advantage is that Canada has a free and universal healthcare system. The Canada Health Act, 1984, which

states that all Canadians have access to a publicly funded healthcare system, has ensured that the citizens get timely treatment for free or at a low cost.

Besides, many private healthcare facilities are providing quality care. Canadians trust their healthcare system, which is a big boost for the medical fraternity and allied sectors. Evidently, the medical fraternity feels as secure as the people of Canada with such a robust and reliable healthcare system.

We came across some exceptional healthcare service providers and featured them in our latest edition of Insights Care, titled Canada's 10 Most Valuable Healthcare Solution Providers. We are sure you will enjoy reading this edition as much as we did during its making.

Have a great read!

Sumita Sarkar

Healthcare at its best

Editor’s Note

A Revolutionary Platform Aiding Healthcare Experts forImproved Healthcare Outcomes

08

Cover Story

Articles

Importance of Cybersecurity forHealthcare Organizations

Shields Up20

Un-distanceThe Rise of AI in HealthcareEverything You Should Know

30

16

26

36

Pacylex Pharmaceuticals

Cogniciti Inc.

Medicinal Innovation EmpoweringHealthcare Space

Providing Comprehensive Care fora Quality Life

eSSENTIAL AccessibilityAdministering Inclusive Digital

Healthcare Platforms

CxO

The use of AI and Robotics in Fertilityand Reproductive Medicine

ContentsContents

24 34

TechDrivenAI and Machine Learning:

How tech driven healthcare isdriving the industry

Tech of the Future

Co-designer Paul Belin

Art & Picture Editor Rohil Shinganapurkar

Art & Design Head

Editor-in-Chief Sumita Sarkar

Managing Editor Abhishaj Sajeev

Senior Editor Anish Miller

Visualiser David King

Priyanka Rajage

Circulation Manager Tanaji

Research Analyst Eric Smith

Sarah Wilson, John Smith, Alex VincentBusiness Development Executives

Amy JonesBusiness Development Manager

Sales Executives Kelli, Bill, Anna

SME-SMO Executives Atul, Gemson

Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege

Technical Consultants David, Robert

Technical Head Jacob Smile

Marketing Manager John Smith

Assistant Technical Head Pratiksha Patil

Assistant Digital Marketing Manager Amol Wadekar

Copyright © 2021 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or

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Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. Insights Care is powered by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd.

July, 2021

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Corporate Offices:

DescriptionFeaturing

Accreditation Canadaaccreditation.ca

Leslee ThompsonCEO

Accreditation Canada delivers a wide range of high-impact assessment programs for health and social service

organizations, powered by HSO, and customized to local needs.

Canadian PlasmaResources

giveplasma.ca

Dr. Barzin BahardoustCEO

Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR) is a pharmaceutical manufacturer licensed by Health Canada and certified by the European Union (EU) and the International Quality Plasma

Program (IQPP).

CloudMDcloudmd.ca

Essam HamzaCEO

Cogniciticogniciti.com

William ReichmanPresident & CEO

Cogniciti is a brain health company that is changing the way the world looks at brain health and aging.

eTreat MedicalDiagnostics

etreatmd.com

Shanil GunasekaraCEO

eTreat is a mobile health company building apps that turn smartphones into true medical devices.

Michael WeickertCEO

Pacylex is a Canadian oncology company exploiting a new discovery in cancer biology which may explain how some

cancers arise from normal cells.

Pacylex Pharmaceuticalspacylex.com

Arun MenawatCEO

Profound Medical is a Canadian medical device company that has developed a unique and minimally invasive

procedure to ablate the prostate gland in prostate cancer patients.

The Roundstherounds.com

Tim RiceCEO

Worldcare Internationalworldcare.com

Aaron TimmCEO

WorldCare has been providing the gold standard of medical second opinions (MSOs) for critical illnesses to covered

members around the world.

CloudMD is digitizing the delivery of healthcare by providing a patient centric approach, with an emphasis on

continuity of care.

The Rounds is the secure collaboration network modern healthcare professionals trust to improve healthcare outcomes.

eSSENTIAL Accessibilityessentialaccessibility.com

Mark SteeleCo-founder and CEO

eSSENTIAL Accessibility is the world’s #1 Accessibility-as-a-Service platform that makes your digital assets conform

with WCAG and compliant with ADA, AODA, Section 508 and other anti-discrimination laws.

Profound Medical Corp.profoundmedical.com

Company Name

Tim Rice CEO |

A Revolutionary Platform Aiding Healthcare Experts for Improved Healthcare Outcomes

From the invention of the first artificial

pacemaker to 3D printed body parts,

technology has aided a profound

development of modern healthcare. Aligning

technology with the human need of social

interaction, healthcare platforms with the purpose

of connecting medical professionals with each

other and with patients have been garnering

necessary attention.

These platforms have evidently provided an easy

access to authentic healthcare information and

virtual consultation have proven vital, specifically

during the ongoing pandemic. Pertaining to this,

healthcare service providers and organizations

across the world are pivoting their care delivery

systems to such platforms.

In similar context, The Rounds is one such

platform which is on a mission to improve global

healthcare outcomes by connecting the medical

community. It provides a secure environment for

physicians to connect with peers and experts

across various therapeutic areas.

CoverStory

The Rounds is coherently modernizing

how physicians connect to information,

so they have the ability to improve

healthcare outcomes. The platform has

built a safe place for physicians to

collaborate by reducing the external

noise found on traditional social media

channels yet provides them the ability

to have a voice amongst their

colleagues, regardless of geographic

constraints.

Redefining Benchmarks

There are two critical components that

separate The Rounds from other

platforms. Primarily, it is a specialty

agnostic that removes the silos across

medicine so that knowledge sharing

can span a larger audience, but it also

includes closed groups when

connecting with physicians’ immediate

peers is important.

Secondly, The Rounds has worked

diligently to ensure that it is compliant

with regulators, associations, and

privacy rules so that it can safely

deliver the right information to its

members and provide comfort that they

are getting accurate and relevant

information for their practice.

Needless to say, the COVID-19

pandemic has impacted healthcare

industry and the associated niche

markets as much as it has impacted the

people. Talking about how the

pandemic impacted the company, the

team at The Rounds says, “This

pandemic is a landmark event that will

permanently change many aspects of

the healthcare system. The tools and

resources for providing patient care

have been turned upside down and a

new gold standard of virtual

capabilities are here to stay. That

doesn’t mean personal interactions are

gone however, it just means that the

tools we use, need to take into

consideration effective means for

remote engagement. The Rounds was

built to support digital transformation,

so the pandemic has accelerated our

position in the healthcare ecosystem,

but we’ve also leveraged our agility to

adapt to the changing needs of our

members and our customers.”

Personifying Progress

At the helm of The Rounds’ ascension

towards peaks of success is Tim Rice,

the CEO.

Tim is a recognized leader in the Life

Sciences sector and devotes his time to

influencing how physicians consume

and share crucial information. In 2001

Tim began his career ‘carrying the bag’

in a sales role for Novartis rdPharmaceuticals (3 largest

pharmaceutical company globally).

“I was always interested in healthcare

and business; the pharma industry

married the two of those very well and

Novartis provided a lot of

opportunities to advance within the

company, so I jumped on them. I

inadvertently got a call one day from a

board member of The Rounds to have a

coffee and I immediately saw a

solution that could alleviate the

We are

modernizing how

physicians connect

to information, so

they have the

ability to improve

healthcare

outcomes.

“

“

Canada's 10 Most Valuable Healthcare Solution Providers

“Access is the

largest issue in

healthcare –

whether you are

talking about

access to

physicians, access

to treatments, and

access to accurate

and relevant

information.

“

““

challenges the pharma industry was experiencing in

executing the current sales model. Interrupting a physician’s

workflow in their clinic by sales reps wasn’t a sustainable

model, especially with a significant drop in accessible

physicians that had been building for years. So, I hung up

the bag, joined The Rounds and we are now modernizing

how physicians connect to improve healthcare outcomes,”

Tim expresses.

Tim leads a passionate team driven by the mantra that

knowledge saves lives. Through his role, he is focused on

establishing a sustainable and scalable business model for

the organization, helping the company grow rapidly while

positively impacting the community.

With over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry,

Tim has developed premium skills in sales, medical

education, marketing, and leadership roles. Tim Rice is

known to his colleagues and partners as a genuine,

personable, and determined individual who is centered

around building strong relationships.

We asked Tim for his opinion on what could be the future

of the healthcare services sector post the pandemic, to

which Tim said, “Access is the largest issue in healthcare.

Whether you are talking about access to physicians, access

to treatments (both physically and financially) and access to

accurate and relevant information. In the short term we are

seeing a negative impact of the pandemic on a lot of

medical conditions because patients are not going to see

their doctor for ailments not associated with Covid-19

symptoms, hence we will see a burden to the healthcare

system as the pandemic eases. But as the healthcare system

adjusts to new capabilities there will be a lot of efficiencies

through digital access to resources for effective care. We

will not fully replace physical contact in medicine but for

diagnosis, treatment, and management of many conditions

the patient journey will be significantly improved.”

Excerpts from his own journey as an entrepreneur, in his

advice to those aspiring to venture into the healthcare

services niche, Tim says, “Learn about the healthcare

ecosystem as much as you can. You need to consider all

stakeholders involved as medicine quickly becomes a ‘team

sport’. A second piece of advice I would add is that you

need to be agile and adapt as medicine evolves to remain

relevant in this space. What is considered as the gold

standard today, will not be the case tomorrow so stay close

to your stakeholders and help them navigate.”

Voyaging towards New Horizons

The Rounds had immediately recognized that the pandemic

would be a catalyst for a market shift in its favor. The

company’s focus shifted from sales growth to the growth of

its team. “We needed the right people on the bus to succeed

in the wave that we could see coming so we regrouped,

mapped out our immediate and mid-term needs for the

following 12 months and went on a hiring binge to find the

best talent available,” says Tim.

The Rounds also understood that this was not just a

Canadian impact, but it needed to think globally with

medical associations approaching the company to seek

solutions and it needed to think bigger.

“In less than a year we’ve established a significant US

pipeline for membership and customers and with a market

10x of Canada’s. We are very excited about our ability to

scale in North America and globally,” concludes Tim.

In less than a

year we’ve

established a

significant US

pipeline for

membership and

customers and

with a market

10x of Canada’s.

“

“

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Providing Comprehensive Care for a Quality Life

Over 115,000 cognitive assessments have been completed

via the BHA.

n recent years, the otherwise missing conversation on Imental health has picked some attention. People have finally started addressing mental health issues more

openly than before. Although this open conversation is now happening among the younger population, the older adult population still lags behind in this aspect. With increasing age, a number of physical and mental illnesses occur in individuals. Among these, one of the leading mental health ailments in older adults is dementia. Even though dementia is mainly found in older adults, it is not a direct cause of aging. The disease affects approxi-mately ten million people every year and impacts not just the individuals suffering from it but also their carers and family members. To address this serious mental health issue and improve the quality of life of older adults, Cogniciti Inc. came into existence. Cogniciti, through its provision of innovative, evidence-based brain health solutions, is engaging older people in essential conversations about their brain health. The company is a subsidiary of Baycrest Health Sciences, which is a global leader in residential living, healthcare, research, innovation, and education for older adults, with a special focus on brain health and aging. In a conversation with Insights Care, Brian Mackie, the Vice President Finance and CFO at Baycrest Health Sciences and Chief Operations Officer at Cogniciti Inc, and Dr Larissa McKetton, Director of Scientific and Clinical Development at Cogniciti Inc., talk about the elaborate services that the company provides to prevent, treat, and cure dementia.

Please brief our audience about Cogniciti, its values, and the key aspects of its stronghold within the healthcare services space.

Cogniciti Inc. is a brain health company and a subsidiary of Baycrest Health Sciences. Cogniciti was originally formed to create a model for bringing brain health science from the research lab to the consumer market through the provision of innovative, evidence-based brain health solutions. Baycrest is a global leader in research, innovation, educa-tion, and care for older adults, with a special focus on brain health and aging. Baycrest is home to a robust research and innovation network, including:

Ÿ The Rotman Research Institute, one of the world’s top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience.

Ÿ The Baycrest-powered Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation, a solution accelerator focused on driving innovation in the aging and brain health sector.

Ÿ The scientific headquarters of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, Canada’s largest national dementia research initiative.

Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides excellent care for older adults through our hospital, long-term care, retirement home, and independent living and combines this with an extensive clinical training program for the next generation of healthcare professionals. Baycrest and Cogniciti are at the forefront of the fight to defeat dementia, as we work to help individuals fear no age

16|July 2021|www.insightscare.com

Brian is a healthcare executive with more than 25 years of experience in the Ontario health

system. He has provided financial oversight in two world-leading academic health centers: Baycrest and the Hospital for Sick Children.

Brian is a Chartered Accountant who trained and worked with Price Waterhouse in both the

UK and Canada.

Dr McKetton has worked with industry part-ners, the healthcare sector, and academia. She

has a wide range of experience conducting brain-related studies encompassing aging neuro-

science, multi-sensory system processing, vascular brain health, big data analysis, and

cognitive assessment research and development (R&D).

She brings an extensive background in

neuroimaging analysis, cognitive neuroscience, patient recruitment, mentorship, statistical and

business expertise. Dr McKetton did her MSc and Ph.D. at York University in neuroscience, look-

ing at clinical and unique populations with a focus on neuroimaging. Her postdoctoral work at

Toronto Western Hospital focussed on cerebrovascular reactivity using different types of neuroimaging techniques in the aging brain.

Brian Mackie Vice President Finance & CFO at

Baycrest Health Sciences and Chief Operations Officer at Cogniciti Inc.

Dr Larissa McKetton Director of Scientific and Clinical Development at

Cogniciti Inc.

and create a world where every older adult enjoys a life of purpose, inspiration, and fulfilment. Tell us more about the products/services that make Cogniciti stand out from the competition? Cogniciti has developed a clinically validated and self-administered brain health assessment (BHA) that provides independent adults aged 20 – 94 with the ability to evaluate whether their memory is normal or if they should contact their physician. The test provides an immediate report after a 20-minute online assessment. The BHA can be used for clinical and research purposes and is also an engaging tool

ABOUT THE LEADERS



to start the conversation about cognitive health with older adults. The Cogniciti BHA is as accurate as the widely used Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at identifying problems with memory and attention. A new study shows that for those with near-normal performance, the Brain Health Assessment performs better than the MoCA at detecting subtle cognitive decline and impairment. In addition, the Brain Health Assessment is more accessible than current tools since it is self-administered and available online. Over 115,000 cognitive assessments have been completed via the BHA. Leveraging our growing audience, Cogniciti has developed and utilized its Brain Health Registry. Adults who complete the BHA are offered the opportunity to join the Registry, which provides them early access to brain health research studies in their area. In addition, we provide a monthly newsletter to over 55,000 subscribers. Cogniciti has recently developed a portal for onboarding organizations to use the BHA for clinical or research purposes. A clinical BHA report is automatically generated, and this system can be used with a license subscription for pre-screening participants in clinical, research, academic, and clinical trial settings. What is your opinion on the impact of the current pandemic on the global healthcare sector, and how has Cogniciti fared during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns? During this time, the global healthcare sector migrated to virtual platforms, such as the self-administered Cogniciti Brain Health Assessment. The pandemic has sped up the transition to virtual tools. In 2020, The Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic at Baycrest was the first clinic to pilot the clinical use of the BHA, which provided clinicians with more evidence to directly refer patients to special programs. Based on the success of this pilot, the team created an automated clinical portal to support its adoption by other organizations. In your opinion, what could be the future of the healthcare services sector post the pandemic? There is a market for tools that can be used to support a more autonomous understanding of a person’s brain health.

Cogniciti has solutions from its BHA, the clinical portal, and complementary tools, such as the Smart Tracker that is used to monitor overall health.

The future of the healthcare service sector includes more virtual-based solutions and products and tools that are accessible by all users. More people can avoid an in-person primary care visit by connecting virtually at home. Care needs to be digitally enabled and distributed widely. Innovation with these technologies, spanning all patients, will also advance health equity through increased accessibility. As an established leader, what would be your advice to the budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts aspiring to venture into healthcare services? Budding entrepreneurs should ensure that their product/service addresses an identified problem. There are many different types of healthcare services and models, so it is also important for any aspiring entrepreneur to find and do work in the field that they care about. Taking satisfaction in your work, having a clear vision, and understanding your industry are all key aspects to consider. How do you envision scaling Cogniciti’s operations in 2021? We envision scaling our operations by licensing the use of the BHA as a clinical and research tool. As evidence of the efficacy of the BHA builds, interest from researchers and clinicians across different disciplines is growing significantly. As an unsupervised, validated test, the BHA has significant value as a pre-screening and monitoring mechanism in some different research and clinical scenarios. The July 2021 publication of a paper, which shows that the BHA performs better than the MoCA, a widely used and supervised cognitive test, is significant and has led to multiple unsolicited inquiries regarding the application of the BHA in different scenarios. The information within the BHA can be broken down for further analysis, providing different assessments for short-term memory, delayed memory, and executive attention. In addition, our research team is currently validating a French version of the BHA and investigating the test’s translation into other languages.


The Rise of in HEALTHCARE

Everything You Should Know

Human evolution has always rotated around intelligence. Intelligence led us to the progress we have today. We are the ever-learning creatures,

aren’t we? In this learning process, human beings invented many things that made their lifestyle easier. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the latest example of this. AI has spread its legs in almost all the sectors and has become an inseparable part of healthcare industry.

AI completely transformed the healthcare sector. Application of AI and machine learning (ML) is the new normal in the healthcare space. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when covid patients were admitted to hospitals, they were passed through CT-scan machine. With a series of X-ray images taken from different angles, the score was calculated and so was the risk of patient. Some people appeared fine externally, which in CT-scan images, were reached to emergency level. They were saved because of the use of AI in healthcare.

We are living in the digital age where everything is advanced. Healthcare sector is not an exception to this advancement. From dental machines to radiology, and ultrasound sonographies to laser treatments, AI is advancing


Un-distance


healthcare sector like never before. It was mere 50 years since it is evolved. However, within such a short period, it has become crucial in healthcare sector.

Evolution of AI in Healthcare

The period of 1960s laid the foundation of AI where research for first problem-solving program was carried out. This program was called as Dendral. It was specifically designed for the applications in organic chemistry.

Further in 1980s, the American Association for Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) was established comprising healthcare sector. Fuzzy expert systems, artificial neural networks, and hybrid intelligent systems were some of the early examples of new systems in healthcare.

Carrying this juggernaut further, the rise of internet triggered the use of AI in healthcare system. A new concept of machine learning was developed turning the knowledge-driven approach to data-driven approach. This shift accelerated the automation process of medical sector and introduced new horizons. Many tech-solutions were invented, and the diagnosis of serious diseases became possible.

Recent Trend in Healthcare Sector

We have reached the age, where the whole world is swiftly adapting the digital approach. This digital transformation is changing healthcare sector too. The advancement is providing accessible and affordable treatments, which were considered impossible a few decades ago. The healthcare sector is transforming rapidly due to the adoption of AI technologies. Today, we are witnessing the decisive role of AI through its recent trends in the medical sector.

AI is performing human tasks more sophisticatedly and efficiently. It has the following applications:

1) Diagnosis of diseases: AI plays a cognitive role in diagnosis of diseases. AI based software can tell whether a person is suffering from a disease or not. According to a study, AI has 87% accuracy in diagnosis which is slightly greater than what healthcare professionals can achieve. AI is being used for the detection of diseases such as cancer or

heart ailments that too in their early phases. This allows doctors and medical experts to better diagnose the illness and provide them the appropriate treatment.

2) Radiology: Radiology is one of the prime examples, where AI provided upper hand over manual efficiency. For instance, whenever a patient is passed through the radiations, the doctor has limited reference images. But in case of AI, it carries millions of images in its reference bank. Advanced images and patterns provide a clearer view for the doctor that the human eye may never see.

3) Telemedicine: Telemedicine and AI go hand in hand. AI can assist the doctors to monitor patients remotely by using sensors. Some wearable devices provide information about the health issues. Further, this information can be compared to previously stored data by means of AI. This comparison will alert the patient or medical expert about the alarming conditions.

4) Drug Selection: Creation of drug is a time-consuming and costly process. But application of AI can accelerate this process and resultantly can save the time and cost. By recording the results of past trials, there will not be any need of repetitive testing. Hence, AI speeds up the drug selection process.

5) Automation of Documentation: Documentation of patients is a time consuming and complex task. Also, there are chances of manual errors due to the repetitiveness of task. These mechanical tasks can be automated by using artificial intelligence. AI can store huge amount of data which can be used anytime for reference.

There were the days when artificial intelligence was considered as a science fiction and was only limited to Hollywood films. However, the evolution of internet boosted AI and now it is touching new heights every day. It is advancing with each passing day providing a variety of applications. It is changing the dynamics of healthcare sector. No longer a science fiction, AI is transforming lives.

- Vinayak G.


AI and RoboticsThe use of

in Fertility and

We live in a world dominated by enhanced computing power and robotic systems. Given the potential of all this technology, it is

essential for reproductive physicians and their patients to understand these technologies and determine how they could enhance the care of their patients. Two technological advances which are at this frontier are artificial intelligence and robot-assisted surgery.

The technology and science behind treating infertility are becoming increasingly complex, and the volume of data used to make clinical decisions is expanding on an almost monthly basis. With so much information that we can gather about a couple that is experiencing infertility, their treatment cycle(s), and the embryos they make, it begs the question of how best to use this sea of information to maximize the chance of healthy pregnancy. This is where the new frontier of artificial intelligence (AI) and the subfield of machine learning (ML) comes into play.

ML utilizes algorithms that incorporate demographic, clinical, pathological, and genetic information to find connections and predict clinical outcomes in ways that humans cannot easily achieve. It finds patterns in the data and is constantly refining them to produce ever better predictions; this technology is always learning how to learn better so as to predict outcomes even better.

Reproductive medicine has already started testing the potential of AI in the assessment of eggs and embryos, which can rival the accuracy of embryologists with years of experience. This automation can not only supplement determinations made by embryology staff but can help ensure optimal patient outcomes, minimizing the cost in time and money. AI has also been implanted in the assessment of sperm with its accuracy of correctly identifying well-developed sperm approaching 90%.

AI remains one of the hottest topics in reproductive medicine. As additional data becomes available for the artificial intelligence algorithms, ever-increasing accuracy will be achieved with the promise of ever better clinical outcomes.

In contrast to AI, robotic surgery has a much longer history in reproductive medicine. While the idea of robotic surgery seems relatively new, it has existed for over 50 years and developed as we know it from the department of defense research focused on doing battlefield surgery from miles away.

Over the past several decades, robotic technology grew with improvements in computing power and imaging technology which led to the modern Da Vinci robotic system. Admittedly, this system isn’t an autonomous robot.

Reproductive Medicine - By Alexander Kotlyar, MD


Alexander Kotlyar MD

Alexander Kotlyar completed medical

school at Dartmouth in 2014. From

there, he completed his residency in

obstetrics and gynecology at the

world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, where

he gained experience in the whole

spectrum of reproductive surgery,

including robotic surgery. In addition,

he was involved with the team that

performed the first uterine transplant in

the United States.

Afterward, he completed his fellowship

in Reproductive Endocrinology and

Infertility at Yale University. His

research focused on finding novel

treatments for endometriosis and has

been published in leading journals in

reproductive medicine. Currently, he is

a reproductive endocrinology and

infertility specialist at Genesis

Fertility/Maimonides Medical Center in

Brooklyn, NY.

About the Author

Any movement by the surgical robot comes from commands made by a specially trained surgeon on a nearby console.

The main advantage of the robot comes from the very fine movements possible with the numerous tools and arms at the surgeon’s disposal. In addition, the robot eliminates a natural tremor or shake in the surgeon’s hands. This makes exquisitely delicate surgeries such as tubal ligation reversals much easier and potentially quicker.

Currently, robotic surgery is performed for a myriad of conditions that impact reproduction in addition to tubal

ligation reversal. These include fibroid surgery, surgery to excise and remove endometriosis, and fertility preservation surgeries such as ovarian transposition/transplantation. In a study from The Cleveland Clinic, using the robot for fibroid surgery led to decreased blood loss and length of hospital stay. These clinical advantages combined with improved visualization and dexterity make robotic surgery a fixture of reproductive medicine.

Both of these technologies are still evolving, with a myriad of studies currently underway to better refine and apply AI and robotic surgery. Each holds immense promise for a new age in reproductive medicine.

TechDriven


eSSENTIAL Accessibility

As the healthcare sector made a rapid shift to digital platforms during the pandemic to contain the virus for a variety of care services, it struggled with

conforming all its platforms to comply with all the regulatory and statutory accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

eSSENTIAL Accessibility is a comprehensive digital platform that lets organizations create an inclusive service experience for their clients through digital accessibility testing, evaluation, and remediation. eSSENTIAL Accessibility enables corporations to comply with the regulatory and statutory accessibility standards and display an inclusive and disability-friendly presence.

In the following interview, Simon Dermer, the Co-founder and Executive Chairman, talks about the revolutionary services that the company delivers ceaselessly, and also his vision for the company’s future.

Please brief our audience about eSSENTIAL Accessibility, its values, and the key aspects of its stronghold within the healthcare services space.

eSSENTIAL Accessibility (eA) is an Accessibility-as-a-Service platform dedicated to helping organizations create inclusive, disability-friendly experiences on their digital properties. We accomplish this through testing, evaluating, and remediating websites. We ensure that its three core values (unity, accountability, and resolve) are present in customer interactions while striving to make the digital landscape accessible for all.

As a social enterprise that spun out of a rehabilitative services provider to help patients with disabilities access technology, healthcare is the backdrop that informs our DNA. eA works with health care organizations to achieve and maintain compliance with accessibility standards, regulations, and guidelines, combining software, processes, and people to mitigate legal risk and achieve digital accessibility.

Tell us more about the products/services that make eSSENTIAL Accessibility stand out from the competition?

Other companies tend to focus on a specific area of accessibility rehabilitation without accounting for the rest.


For instance, an overlay company or a consultant may provide automatic scanning of a website, but they won't provide human testing, legal support, accessibility program management, etc. — all things necessary to make a website accessible.

In the consultant’s case, they may provide those services, but at an additional cost and on a fragmented basis. We provide all those services and more on our platform so customers can get the expertise and support they need on their journey to accessibility.

What is your opinion on the impact of the current pandemic on the global healthcare sector, and how has eSSENTIAL Accessibility fared during the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns?

As with all verticals, the pandemic has driven the global health care sector through significant change, including increasing drives to digital transformation and online engagement. Telehealth, in the form of doctor visits and patient monitoring, has taken off due to safety precautions around diminishing the spread of COVID-19. Websites have started to replace traditional phone calls for patients wanting to make appointments or access their medical information quickly.

Health care organizations need to adapt their existing digital properties to handle this transition. As they update their digital assets, they must also comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and other compliance guidelines for people with disabilities.

The pandemic has caused not only individuals but busi-nesses to reflect on what they could improve internally. Some businesses have homed in on DE&I initiatives to reach previously unengaged and unaccounted for audiences. As a result, more have started making their assets accessible for people with disabilities and have chosen our platform to assist in their journey to accessibility.

In your opinion, what could be the future of the healthcare services sector post the pandemic?

Digital transformation, although perhaps driven by the pandemic, is a boon for healthcare companies’ clients, giving them greater access than ever before. But that means that we owe it to them to ensure accessibility, transparency, and ease of use for all users, especially now that digital may be the first, or only, point of contact.

For example, navigating websites to find vaccines or testing sites was inefficient, to say the least, during the pandemic, which is exclusionary for users with disabilities. Users need information in a timely, uncomplicated manner. Companies should oblige them by making their websites more user-friendly and adhering to accessibility standards.

As an established leader, what would be your advice to the budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts aspiring to venture into healthcare services?

Be on the lookout for a problem and provide a solution. The healthcare sector is an industry where the population expects thorough answers to their questions because their health (i.e., quality of life) is directly impacted. Be prepared to provide them with that. Getting ahead of the curve and seeing where there's a need helps shape aspiring ventures into full-fledged companies in the healthcare sector.

How do you envision scaling eSSENTIAL Accessibility’s operations in 2021?

We’ve experienced very strong growth during 2020 and 2021 and expect the trend to continue in years to come. The market understands the need and urgency for accessible digital experiences created by a massive shift to digital — due to the pandemic, litigation under the ADA, and changing expectations in the marketplace and we’re —well-positioned as leaders in this space to help companies solve this challenge.

We’re scaling by continuing to invest in technology and development and adding even more accessibility experts to ensure we can help every company that needs it.


for Healthcare Organizations

Cybersecurity

Thousands of years ago, when homo sapiens started to live in caves, they invented new ways of security. From spined fencing to live fire, they used

everything to protect their lives. After stabilization, they built houses comprised of doors, and for security, locks were invented.

In the process of evolution, the security measures got updated with time. Today, in this digital age, traditional locks are replaced with smart locks. During the journey of fire to smart locks, the ultimate focus is unchanged – security.

Every era comes with its own challenges. Today, we are living in a digital age where everything is computerized. The widespread adoption of the internet augmented advancement in every sector. Everything stands upon a single click, and hence, new ways of security attacks were evolved accordingly.

People with the purpose of threatening security started cyber-attacks on companies, organizations, or even entire countries. These attacks were carried out to steal sensitive data. They can be conducted by an individual, a group of terrorists, or from the secret agencies of rival countries.

So, how to secure healthcare space from these attacks? Modern problems require modern solutions, and cybersecurity is the perfect answer to this question. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks, systems, and programs from digital attacks. These attacks are conducted to access and destroy sensitive information.

Sometimes these can be shepherded to extort money from hospitals or medical professionals or to interrupt the workflow. Hence, taking effective cybersecurity measures is crucial for the healthcare sector.


of Importance

Shields Up


Why is Healthcare Space on the RADAR?

Healthcare organizations possess a considerable amount of data. It can include personal information of patients as well as sensitive information about medicines. This information possesses high intelligence value for cyber attackers. This highly sensitive information includes patients’ financial credentials such as banking details, credit or debit cards, or protected health data.

Also, it may include intellectual information about ongoing research and medical records. Attackers sell these stolen records to the darknet, where they get immense profit. In extreme cases, terrorists can plan a cyber-attack to access the information for developing chemical weapons. Hence, foolproof security is crucial for the healthcare sector.

Perils for Healthcare Industry

• Phishing ScamsHealthcare professionals are always in danger of phishing attacks. Hackers send false links to deceive the person and access sensitive information. These links can be sent through messages, emails, or through the browser. By clicking these malicious links, hackers access all the required information. A simple click might seem innocuous, but it can install the phishing software on the server, obtaining the recipient’s credentials.

• Malware AttackMalware is one of the prime examples of cyberattacks. It can be used to block or destroy any system. It is the contraction of ‘malicious software’ that is designed to damage computers. Vulnerable networks are the easier targets of malware software. This software is inserted into a system by installing a program from the internet, employing false links or even through physical devices such as USB.

• Denial of Service (DoS) Attack

DoS attacks lead to the unavailability of the server. DoS attacks are carried out by creating traffic to overload the bandwidth. Distributed denial of service (DDoS) is

another example, where the attack is launched from several infected host machines to make server downs.

Ways to Improve the Cybersecurity

• Implementation of Multifactor authenticationMultifactor authentication protects the accounts by verifying the recipient’s credentials. Login ID and passwords are the go-to factors for hackers. Hence, the implementation of multifactor authentication can reduce this risk and avoid the impacts of security lapses.

• Filtration of dubious contentHealthcare professionals running their communication systems should be aware of the dubious content. Attackers use phishing emails to divert the recipient and enter the system. Installing harmful software can lead to the loss of information. Hence, filtration of such content is crucial.

• Regular System UpdateOld system can be less efficient and vulnerable towards cyberattack. Hackers can easily access the system if it is outdated. An updated system improves the security and workflow of the process.

• Training of Employees for Cyber AttacksA well-trained team can minimize the risk of attacks on the domain. They will be aware of not clicking the fake links with poor quality logos or images. System can be more efficient in safer hands of trained employees.

The Bottom line

Healthcare system is advancing towards the technological revolution, where everything is getting automated. With the addition of AI and ML, it is only going to be advanced. On the flip side of the coin, cyber-attacks are getting denser with the time. Attackers are looking different ways to hack the system. Hence, the cybersecurity fences need to be tightened. In the end, what matters is the safety and security.

- Vinayak G.


AI and Machine Learning

How tech driven healthcare is driving the industry

In 1989 Praxis embarked upon the development of a unique type of AI-based Electronic Medical Record technology that has been progressively fine-tuned over

the over all these years. Today, AI-based Praxis is rated number one both in usability and physician user satisfaction. This is not because Praxis is a better built software, but rather because the Praxis “concept processor” resolves time consuming process of medical charting using artificial intelligence that learns from its user.

To most people, AI in medicine envisions an expert-type program knowledge that arrives from outside of the provider delivering information at the point of care. Technologies such as IBM’s Watson come to mind. The Praxis AI technology, however, is internal to the mind of the provider; it works with the mind of the provider and empowering the provider to practice efficiently. Praxis is currently the fastest and highest quality way to chart medicine today, hands down.

The concept behind the AI in Praxis EMR is that medicine is an art and not just a science. The idea that medicine is an art-form rather than an exact science may feel initially strange to non-physicians. People may assume that medicine is a science that makes use of precise logical rules similar to those found in mathematics, engineering and accounting. The practice of medicine is not like that at all.

Our medical art deals with uncertainty, probabilities and unknowns, it works with with gray areas of knowledge. Even after two hundred years of remarkable technologic and scientific achievements, medicine today continues to be based primarily on personal experience and human skill. No two-doctors practice the same way; no doctors think the same way. Indeed, with the advent of computers, if medicine were not an art form, then doctors would probably not be needed.

Algorithms could be set up so computers could practice all by themselves. A patient would access a program. explain his or her clinical issues, answer a few questions, be subject to a physical exam performed by expert robots which exist today in other areas, input ordered laboratory and other studies into the system, and...presto...the computer would generate a perfect diagnosis and advise on appropriate treatment every time. In fact, a computer could handle surgical procedures with perfection and speed if programed correctly if medicine were an exact science. It is not.

This vision seems obvious, but it is not likely to happen in the foreseeable future. The human creative perspective, which is impossible for a computer to mimic successfully, is very much a part of the medical practice every day. Yes, a computer can follow a logical process perfectly, but it cannot follow reason, to say nothing of intuition, and therefore it fails where logic defies the clinical condition. It is in this circumstance where humans prevail over the computer.

Medicine deals with a different type of knowledge. Often, we are called upon to make clinical decisions based on inadequate information, sometimes without even knowing the cause and mechanism of the disease process involved. Thus, personal experience makes a huge difference to the practice of this unique art. No matter how many books one reads, without having been exposed to patients for a significant time period—years perhaps—it is not possible to practice based on book learning or intelligence alone.

Yesterday, this personal training was performed by a mentor, an older physician who would share experience and wisdom with his young protegee. More recently, formal medical residency programs have been set up to perform this training over years of training. Developing intuition and experience takes much time and effort.


So even the simple migration from the paper record to its electronic equivalent by using macros and picklists to speed things up actually bogged down physicians even further. Today, the average provider in primary care spends twice as much time with their computer, and they do with their patients.

On average, they waste about two hours a day playing data-entry clerk into a computer. This has become a major source of clinical error, physician stress and burn-out. Ironically, the computer is turning our physicians into robots.

Understanding this subtle difference in how medicine works in real life allowed us to create a very different solution. If medicine is learned from personal experience, why not set up the charting in the same manner, by learning from the provider’s own previous writings to help him/her not only chart dramatically faster but also think clearer? This is the basis of the Praxis Concept Processor, a neural network type of software that instantly finds and retrieves the text of the closest possible encounter that the individual provider has handled in the past in relation to the case being encountered.

This approach makes use of the fact that that some clinical cases are very rare indeed—they may have never been encountered by this provider—whereas others present daily and even hourly, which does not mean they are not complex and do not demand precision and care. Here is exactly where the computer becomes extremely helpful, as it never forgets anything it is taught. In essence, the doctor is charting backwards. Instead of writing what was done, one does what is written. The use of previous personal writing as a checklist to assist in the approach to a clinical event flies against what the hard sciences teach us. However, this approach is highly effective. Let’s face it, one may disagree with someone else, but it is very hard to argue with oneself.

Therefore, if a new case presents that is identical to one seen in past, the use of the previous chart on an identical case not only speeds up data entry dramatically, but more importantly, ensures that nothing is forgotten, that all the t’s are crossed, and the i’s are dotted. Not only is the charting done instantly, but all the orders are carried out at once, the prescriptions written precisely and electronically sent to the pharmacy, the laboratory orders are generated, the instructions and handouts to the patient are handled, the referrals, the reschedule and the bill are all generated at the same time as the note, all done in a single instant step. And if the provider disagrees with anything in the past for a similar patient, the reason can only be that either the doctor

made a mistake handling the previous case—medical knowledge may have improved in between, an actual error from before may be found— the current case should be handled slightly differently. In the first case, the correction ensures that random errors will never recure, whereas in the second case, the system will learn for the future. In other words, the more Praxis is used, the faster and smarter it becomes for its user for all cases, and the less time is wasted charting, and the less clinical errors are made. Here the basis of the AI is the doctor’s own knowledge and approach. Based on this unique approach, a huge set of clinical possibilities arises. Clearly, this is a different approach than the old “dead-paper-record paradigm” and one that progressively improves the quality of medicine and decreases clinical errors, physician stress and burn-out, saving thousands of hours of wasted paperwork charting a year.

Indeed, AI in medicine can be thought of in ways different ways: Empowering an art-form is certainly one of them, and that is what Praxis EMR is all about.

Tech of the Future


Richard Low, MD Founder and CEO, Praxis EMR

Medicinal Innovation Empowering Healthcare Space

Modern medicine has helped find solutions to complex health problems, cancer

being one of them. What was incurable once, today, under certain conditions can be successfully treated, cured, and controlled, giving patients and their families new hope.

From radiation and chemotherapy, to immune and cell-based therapy, to the first-in-class development of small molecule therapy PCLX-001 by Pacylex Pharmaceuticals that exploits a new target in cancer for which drugs have never been previously developed, cancer therapy continues to evolve and improve

“Through this development, we aspire to cure hematologic malignancies, leukemia, lymphomas, and myelomas, dramatically improving patient outcomes in serious cancers,” says Dr. Michael Weickert, the CEO.

He further adds, “We value strong science, teamwork, and execution. What keeps us moving ahead through every challenge is knowing we have a rare privilege of potentially making a genuine difference in the lives of patients, their families, and their caregivers.”

Cancer care with convenience

Established in 2012, Pacylex has set itself apart by being the first to address a new cancer target with a new first-in-class therapy. There are many cancer therapies currently in practice or in development. However, developing a cancer therapy is about more than whether someone has another molecule against the same target.

When talking about PCLX-001 therapy, it differentiates with the following characteristics:

Ÿ Convenience – PCLX-001 is a once-per-day pill.

Ÿ Potency – PCLX-001 is approximately 10-times more potent in vitro than the lymphoma drug Imbruvica which had revenues of $8.1 billion in 2019.

Ÿ Tumor killing – in all animal models of hematologic cancers, PCLX-001 regressed/killed tumors or cancer cells.

Ÿ Synergy – PCLX-001 works through a new mechanism of action not targeted by other therapies. Thus, it can potentially work even



What keeps us moving ahead through every

challenge is knowing we have a rare privilege of

potentially making a genuine difference in the

lives of patients, their families, and their

caregivers.

“

“

Michael Weickert | CEO


better when combined with other treatments that work differently.

This potential of the drug has already intrigued several large pharma companies with mature oncology franchises.

Leadership dynamics

Behind innovations and strategies taking place at Pacylex, is an expert Dr. Weickert who entered the healthcare industry in 1992 as a Senior Scientist straight from 3 years at the National Cancer Institute of NIH, after receiving a Doctorate in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin.

Within two years he was reassigned from laboratory management to project management. Over the next 13 years, Dr. Weickert worked in public companies, Somatogen, Ligand, and Nektar, where he guided preclinical and clinical-stage product development programs for biologics, small molecules, and drug-device combinations including for the Phase 3/NDA program for Targretin for Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma at Ligand.

At Nektar, Dr. Weickert was entrusted with setting up an internal business unit for anti-infectives for pulmonary delivery which eventually led to 4 development programs.

After being an intrapreneur at Nektar, Dr. Weickert decided in 2007 to work with startups before coming to Pacylex in 2017. He also served as interim CEO at illumisonics and COO or CBO at multiple startups including

Therashock, Ohm Oncology, and currently Greenfire Bio.

Dr. Weickert currently serves as Executive Chairman for Chelation Partners, another Canadian Pharmaceutical Company. He seeks life science diamonds in the rough, game-changing medical discoveries and innovations that are emerging from places outside the mainstream marquee ecosystems, and thus, are struggling for traction.

From his home in the San Francisco Bay area, Dr. Weickert helps assemble development plans and teams and tells compelling stories to potential investors and corporate partners for the diamonds in the rough.

Facing the pandemic of challenges

The ongoing pandemic has impacted every sector more or less including medicinal research and development. The lack of preparation and unfortunate policy decisions have strained healthcare delivery and some supply chains to the breaking point in many countries.

Dr. Weickert talked about the impact of the ongoing pandemic on Pacylex Pharmaceuticals operations, “the impact on supply chains affected our company, Pacylex, because our drug substance is manufactured in India and the manufacturing plant was shut down for more than a month due to the pandemic.”

This delayed the manufacturing of the company’s clinical supplies and therefore the filing of a regulatory application that requires the analysis and certification of the final drug product, which is the capsules the company plans to dose to patients. “Because we are largely virtual, other operations were relatively unaffected. Though the medical and investor conferences we ordinarily attend each year all were virtual, we still had about the same number of meetings, we just didn’t have to travel to have them,” says Dr. Weickert.

Advice for the aspirants

“Healthcare values experience,” said Dr. Weickert while advising aspirants, “if you have a great idea and some initial data, get some experience on your team to help execute. Execution is where most great ideas fail,” he says.He further suggests, “Value the capital and experience required for execution; many budding entrepreneurs think the idea is all the value. Ideas are a dime a dozen. What distinguishes an idea from a product is hard work, great execution, and the talent and capital necessary to pull that off.”

Transition to a clinical-stage company

Now that the vaccination drives have helped curb the COVID-19 situations in several countries it has brought new hope to the global market. “2021 is an important transition year for the

company,” says Dr. Weickert, “in March, we received authorization from Health Canada to begin clinical studies in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma and solid tumor cancer patients for our lead compound, PCLX-001.”

The company expects these studies to begin in late June or July. Further, the company will go from a pre-clinical stage company to a clinical-stage company with three clinical sites conducting the initial clinical program – Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, and BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver.

The company also hopes to initiate a second program in a different cancer population, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US late this year. “Though we will transition to a clinical-stage company, we will remain a modest operation for now. Our expanded effort in drug production and clinical operations is largely an expansion of the work of our partners who we have been engaged to oversee those efforts,” says Dr. Weickert.


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