A British startup in the health tech space, Twinn Health, has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI) platform that can analyze MRI scans for early disease detection. With backing from a $500 million venture capital fund provided by Saudi Aramco, Twinn Health aims to revolutionize longevity and preventive healthcare.
MRI technology has long been an invaluable tool in the healthcare industry. While AI advancements have facilitated the detection of specific conditions within MRI scans, the broader application in disease detection and enhancing longevity is still emerging.
Twinn Health’s approach involves extracting additional insights from MRI scans that may not have been the primary focus of the physician. Rather than performing an MRI scan solely for a single diagnosis, Twinn Health’s AI platform utilizes imaging biomarkers to provide improved decision-making in disease diagnosis and treatment.
According to Wareed Alenaini, the founder and CEO of Twinn Health, their primary focus is on metabolic disease, which encompasses diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. These conditions increase patients’ susceptibility to severe health issues like coronary heart disease and stroke. The AI platform scans MRI images for potentially harmful hidden fatty deposits around organs, a crucial indicator of heart disease, even among healthy individuals.
Early trials have shown promising results, with a 95% accuracy rate in 2021. These results were subsequently confirmed with real-world data alongside physicians from the UK’s National Health Service in 2022. Twinn Health’s patented AI model can reportedly predict metabolic dysfunction up to half a decade in advance.
Looking ahead, Twinn Health aims to address three additional conditions, acquire four more patents, and accumulate a million data points to showcase the scalability and accessibility of their platform. The company is also seeking additional funding to further expand into multiple disease indications.
The growing global interest in longevity aligns perfectly with Twinn Health’s vision. They aim to position themselves as the most accurate diagnostic platform to support the evolving longevity field. While currently focusing on obtaining FDA approval for the American market, Twinn Health plans to target the Middle East next due to the significant push towards longevity in that region.
Future disease targets for Twinn Health include age-related frailty (sarcopenia) and liver disease. Saleh Al Harthi, an angel investor in Twinn and chairman of the Medical Committee of the Saudi Football Federation, has influenced the company’s direction in tackling these conditions.
As Twinn Health progresses, it remains committed to advancing disease detection and management through the marriage of AI and MRI technologies. Their AI platform has the potential to transform healthcare by enabling early intervention and preventive measures against age-associated diseases. With ongoing research and development, Twinn Health aims to improve decision-making in disease diagnosis and treatment, ultimately enhancing longevity and well-being.
