As my flight landed in Austin and made its way to the gate, a stewardess reminded passengers to have a good time if they were here to attend the South by Southwest Music Festival. Although the film festival and technology conference have been around for awhile, healthcare is newer and has been getting larger in recent years. This year there will be a dedicated health and medtech exhibition hall and healthcare themes are a big part of sessions in the Interactive track.
Impact Pediatric Health Pitch Health PitcChildren’s hospitals will get their own splashy pitching event as techies, scientists and clinicians present their pediatric medical device inventions. The lack of medical devices customized for children’s needs has been a big painpoint in pediatric medicine, mainly because the pediatrics medical device market isn’t as large as the adult market. Twelve teams will participate in the competition which will also include teams from four hospitals: Boston Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati Children’s, Texas Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
The Health and MedTech Expo runs for two days and will include a mix of panel sessions on subjects like open health data, investment, giving patients more power and women in digital health. It also includes exhibitors such as startups, insurers and technology companies.
With the Rise of AI, What IP Disputes in Healthcare Are Likely to Emerge?
Munck Wilson Mandala Partner Greg Howison shared his perspective on some of the legal ramifications around AI, IP, connected devices and the data they generate, in response to emailed questions.
Dana Abramovitz headed up the organization of the expo. The move to do an expo came in response to healthcare companies wanting a way to participate in the SXSW festival. One thing she said she hoped would come of it was more collaboration and partnerships with entrepreneurs. A medtech pavillion will showcase regional startups.
“One thing we do at SXSW is listen to the community and reflect what’s happening in the world. We certainly see some of the expo companies as strategics so we can show what them what entrepreneurs are doing and interact with investors.”
Internet of Things is a hot topic in the Interactive track this year — I counted at least 16 sessions where it is the main focus. It’s not surprising given the national discussion on the issue. The sessions take the form of workshops for developers to broader overviews geared to novices and those who fall in between. what individuals and technology companies stand to gain from it. Its even leading to new job titles like Aaron Teersteg of Intel — Internet of Things Evangelism Team Manager. He’s part of a panel session on making the Internet of Things user-centered
Gaming is a big part of SXSW and at least a few sessions will focus on its applications to healthcare, like this one.
A Personalized Approach to Medication Nonadherence
At the Abarca Forward conference earlier this year, George Van Antwerp, managing director at Deloitte, discussed how social determinants of health and a personalized member experience can improve medication adherence and health outcomes.
The medtech expo is taking full advantage of its proximity to NASA space center to talk about the cool technology coming out of the space program.
The interest by payers and providers to make the most of digital health tools has led to some interesting collaborations and deals. Christine Lemke, the co-founder and president of The Activity Exchange, now Evidation Health will be part of a panel of digital health entrepreneurs talking about their work. It will also include perspectives from Ashwin Pushpala CEO and co-founder of Sano, which makes wearable sensors tracking metabolic data; Chase Hensel CEO of diabetes coach Welkin Health; and Mitchell Mom with Rock Health.
The deepening healthcare interest at SxSW also inevitably means more corporations are involved in the conference, including big pharma. In one session that focuses on data analysis, GSK will talk about its work with Formula One racing group McLaren Applied Technogies about applying sensors it uses to gauge the performance of its drivers and the cars to healthcare in order to fight obesity, strokes, and arthritis.
There are puppies here. @mophie pic.twitter.com/SSpX6S918j
— Spencer Moya (@spencermoya) March 13, 2015
One of the traditions of the technology segment of the conference is a battery charging company called Morphie that responds to the distress call of owners with dying batteries. This year those distress calls using #morphierescue will get a response that includes St Bernards from the Texas Chapter of the Saint Bernard Rescue Foundation, giving new meaning to the term rescue dogs.
Eight digital health and medical device companies face off in the SXSW Accelerator this weekend in the Startup Village. Three of them will make the final round on Sunday. Here’s an overview:
Accel Diagnostics has a smartphone-enabled blood test to help people test themselves and monitor their health conditions.
BioBots.io is working on technology to use 3D bioprinters to produce living tissue to replace organs.
Eko Devices developed an electronic stethoscope that can attach to analog stethoscopes.
Litesprite builds games to help people manage chronic health conditions such as stress, depression, cancer, or diabetes. It analyzes data collected from its games, users phones, and biosensors, to make recommendations to patients, clinicians, and health organizations.
MobileOCT developed a smartphone-based mobile colposcope, for health workers in developing countries to detect cervical cancer.
Smart Temperature Patch is a thermometer that uses “medical-grade adhesives,” and apps to track body temperature changes.
Tinnitracks uses an audiology technology in which music becomes part of a neuroacoustic treatment for tinnitus patients. German-based Sonormed developed the treatment.
Tute Genomics developed a genome analysis tool designed to speed up the time it takes to do analysis to support precision medicine.
