Sydney, NSW – June 6, 2024 – BlinkLab Limited (ASX), a leader in digital healthcare innovations, today announced a pivotal clinical study collaboration with Bates College, Maine, USA. The study focuses on validating BlinkLab's cutting-edge, smartphone-based platform for diagnosing Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a frequently misdiagnosed condition.
This extensive three-year study will be led by Dr. Olivia Kim and aims to recruit up to 500 participants across Maine, New York, New Jersey, and additional locations. Leveraging BlinkLab's advanced AI-powered diagnostics, the study represents a significant stride towards simplifying and enhancing the accuracy of FND assessments, potentially transforming patient outcomes across the globe.
Study Highlights:
- Collaborative Efforts: Dr. Olivia Kim's expertise in neural and cognitive processes at Bates College will spearhead the validation of BlinkLab's smartphone test as a robust diagnostic tool.
- Innovative Approach: The study will employ BlinkLab’s platform to perform remote neurobehavioral testing, crucial for reducing patient burden and expediting diagnosis.
- Intellectual Property: BlinkLab secures an option to acquire exclusive rights to any new intellectual property resulting from this collaboration.
Dr Olivia Kim, Assistant Professor at Bates College, commented: “I am very excited to launch this study using the BlinkLab app. The app’s capacity to collect high-quality data in a location of the participants’ choosing will be key for reaching patients with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This will let us overcome logistical barriers that can make joining conventional, in-laboratory studies burdensome. Many people with FND are part of the workforce, and it is difficult to make time to travel to and participate in research. Thus, we will be able to work with a suitably large and representative sample of patients with FND and assess the extent to which our diagnostic approach can hold water. If we can add the BlinkLab app to physicians’ diagnostic toolboxes for FND, it could really accelerate patients’ paths to diagnosis and effective treatment. It is also always a pleasure working with Dr Boele and everyone else at BlinkLab, who are committed to conducting rigorous research and collecting high-quality, high-value data.”
Henk-Jan Boele, CEO of BlinkLab commented: “It is a great pleasure to announce this collaboration with Dr Olivia Kim. Olivia and I share a longstanding passion for understanding the neural mechanisms underlying learning and memory formation. This collaboration will not only advance our understanding and diagnostic capabilities for Functional Neurological Disorder but will also enhance the overall performance of our platform for autism and/or ADHD. By testing patients with FND, we will even further refine our app and AI/ML models, improving their diagnostic accuracy for autism and ADHD. This exciting collaboration will boost the reliability and utility of our platform in clinical settings, benefiting a broad spectrum of patients."
Brian Leedman, Chairman of BlinkLab commented: “I am very pleased that BlinkLab has once again partnered with such a prestigious university to demonstrate how the BlinkLab smartphone-based platform can be used to diagnose neurological conditions beyond autism and ADHD.”
About us:
BlinkLab, a company founded by neuroscientists at Princeton University, over the past several years has fully developed a smartphone based diagnostic platform for autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, and other neuropsychiatric conditions. BlinkLab’s most advanced product is an autism diagnostic test that leverages the power of smartphones, AI and machine learning to deliver screening tests specifically designed for children as young as 18 months old. This marks a significant advancement, considering traditional diagnoses typically occur around five years of age, often missing the crucial early window for effective intervention. BlinkLab is led by an experienced management team and directors with a proven track record in building companies and vast knowledge in digital healthcare, computer vision, AI and machine learning. Our Scientific Advisory Board consists of leading experts in the field of autism and brain development allowing us to bridge the most advanced technological innovations with groundbreaking scientific research.
Contact details:
Jane Morgan
jm@janemorganmanagement.com.au
