Scientists and clinicians from the Oxford Translational Gastroenterology Unit, the Institute for Biomedical Engineering and the Big Data Institute have together developed a novel digital solution for the assessment of the length and area of involvement by Barrett’s Oesophagus, a precancerous condition, mostly in patients with gastroesophageal reflux. There is a less than 0.1-0.4% risk per year of developing cancer with normal Barrett’s oesophagus – or one in 200 patients. However, that risk increases with the extent of Barrett’s lining, so it is important to have an accurate way of quantifying Barrett’s Oesophagus to identify the patients most at risk of cancer.
Satisfai Health Inc., a Canada-based leading medical solutions provider specialising in artificial intelligence (AI) applications in Gastroenterology and GI Endoscopy, has entered into an exclusive development licence with Oxford University Innovation Limited (OUI). Satisfai plans to further develop this exciting work so that it can be tested in trials and readied for clinical use.
Satisfai has an existing AI-based solution (Veritai) for the detection of dysplasia (precancerous change) in Barrett’s Oesophagus, and the licensing of technology from the Oxford group will provide an even more comprehensive digital assessment and risk assignment in patients with Barrett’s. This combination will also help in any treatment planning that might involve endosurgical resection. Satisfai will be working closely with the leading researchers, clinicians and academics at the University of Oxford to further build, develop and integrate the licensed technology into Veritai.
Professor James East, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Associate Professor at the University of Oxford, said:
"Bringing Oxford technology into this collaboration will be a big step in providing a comprehensive, integrated suite of tools for the assessment and management of Barrett’s Oesophagus throughout the endoscopic workflow. I am delighted that we will enhance our ongoing research in this field with Satisfai to deliver AI supported care to NHS patients."
Professor Jens Rittscher, Professor of Engineering Science at Oxford University and Adjunct at the Oxford Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, added:
"Our collaboration with Satisfai will translate this pioneering research into clinical practice to improve the screening, surveillance and outcomes for millions of Barrett’s Oesophagus patients around the globe."
Dr Michael Byrne, Satisfai Health founder and CEO, and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, added:
"We are passionate about developing technology that helps doctors and their patients. We are very proud of our collaborations and partnerships which we have developed around the world with the aim of delivering precision medicine to millions of patients across a range of GI diseases. Bringing the talent and pedigree of the University of Oxford into the Satisfai ecosystem is very exciting."
This work was supported by Ludwig Cancer Research and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre.