MedCity’s annual INVEST Digital Health conference, scheduled for September 18 in Dallas, will delve into innovation at the intersection of AI and drug development, investment trends, consumer-focused diagnostics and validating digital health tools.
This will mark the third year for the INVEST Digital Health conference in Pegasus Park in Dallas, home to the Health Wildcatters accelerator. The venue has a biotech and life sciences hub in support of North Texas’ ecosystem of companies, accelerators, investors, universities and talent. It is also home to Bridge Labs, which provides research and development lab support for life science companies.
From pilot to deployment: Avoiding the pitfalls Studies to validate digital health can be complicated by numerous challenges. This panel discussion will highlight where some of these issues occur. Leaders will share strategies that health systems can use to gain buy-in from their clinician stakeholders, seamlessly integrate new tools into clinical workflows, and track staff interaction with newly introduced products.
Should startups be selling to employers? Point solution fatigue continues to be a challenge for self-insured employers, according to a recent report. But does this mean startup pitches to employers should cease? Industry leaders will explore whether or not startups should stop chasing the employer market.
How is pharma leveraging AI? Generative AI is a tool many drug development companies are exploring to identify the best use cases, such as repurposing drugs already approved by the FDA, and predicting drug target interactions. In this discussion, experts will talk about how the pharma industry is deploying generative AI to drive better research and accelerate drug discovery.
How is healthcare dealing with its Achilles’ heel, cybersecurity? Whether it is phishing, ransomware, or another form of cyberattack, in this cybersecurity war it is imperative for hospitals and other healthcare organizations to defend their data against hackers and nation states. Leaders from different corners of the sector will discuss how they are working together to help bolster their defenses against global hackers.
The rise of consumer-focused diagnostic testing startups In this session, a panel of industry experts will discuss how these diagnostic startups are democratizing access to testing — and how this can help consumers take control of their health and wellbeing.
What digital health investors are — and aren’t — looking for It’s never been easy to be an investor or an entrepreneur, particularly at a time when it is uncertain what AI healthcare applications are capable of, how they will be regulated, and how long it will take to make progress in each of these areas. Some virtual health companies have experienced setbacks in the years since the pandemic, as payers trim virtual care coverage for health plans. There are many other subsectors of digital health so there will be lots of opportunities to gain new insights on this topic.
In addition to panel discussions, there will be a fireside chat with Eve Cunningham, Providence Chief of Virtual Care and Digital Health. The conference will culminate in the Pitch Perfect Startup Contest. The theme this year is Pediatric/Teen Behavioral Health. Startups that will be considered for this category are digital health companies that are offering solutions to address the mental health crisis among children and teens across the nation. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 10 at 5 pm ET. To learn more and apply, click here.
For Pitch Perfect, there is no fee to apply. Startups that are selected to pitch in the contest will need to register for the event at a discounted rate of $149. Startups that have pitched at a MedCity INVEST event within the last 12 months are not eligible to apply.