To celebrate Digital Health Week, Pfizer connected with our Healthcare Hub’s first round of homegrown Canadian innovators to discuss their vision for the future of digital health.
Canada is increasingly embracing technology, unlocking new opportunities to drive innovation, especially in healthcare. As our world becomes more digital, from artificial intelligence to new medical solutions, there's never been a better time for innovation and to leverage opportunities that anticipate the needs of Canadians.
At Pfizer, we know that in order to uncover solutions to issues specific to Canada, more resources need to be allocated to companies working towards digital health innovations. By acting as trusted partners with the Canadian startup community, we aim to bring scalable health solutions to life - harnessing technology to make a real impact.
Below hear from the Healthcare Hub winners as they share their vision for the next era of digital health:
CANImmunize
A technology solution that helps healthcare providers navigate complex immunization guidelines to enhance both patient safety and the healthcare provider experience, with the goal of improving vaccine awareness and uptake.
“It all centers on improving access,” says Cameron Bell, CEO and Co-founder. “We recognize that achieving this requires not just healthcare companies or tech startups, but also support from the government. Together, we can ensure Canadians have access to their immunization records, empowering them to make informed health decisions. Ultimately, we want Canada’s healthcare system to be empowered by technology, not held back by it.”
PharmaGuide
An innovative patient portal, PharmaVision, that will use artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline the drug coverage processes – eventually predicting the coverage by an insurer, with the goal of promoting transparency, informed decision-making, and thus, more efficient patient care.
“Our vision centers on the adoption and acceptance of AI,” says CEO Walid Mowaswes. “We know that when leveraged effectively, AI can help healthcare providers make informed decisions and create a platform that connects all stakeholders - patients, providers, manufacturers, payers, and government - into one cohesive system. This means a more connected and unified healthcare experience.”
“At PharmaGuide, we believe that embracing innovations not only has the power to transform our healthcare system but also translates to better outcomes for patients, and we're committed to being part of that progress,” adds COO Faddy Morgan.
Wave View Imaging
A novel breast imaging medical device that provides accessible, comfortable, safe, and convenient breast imaging for women of all ages. The device will first deliver breast tissue property monitoring to detect potential worrisome changes, but has the potential to address multiple unmet clinical needs. One example is neoadjuvant treatment monitoring, allowing oncologists to monitor tumour response in clinic, but the main objective is to improve breast cancer screening. Thanks to its high contrast in dense breast tissue, the Wave View Scanner can play a significant role as an adjunct imaging modality to help detect cancer, especially for the younger population.
“When thinking about digital health, data is paramount,” says CEO and Co-founder Jérémie Bourqui. “The key is to gather as much quality data as possible to enable early disease detection. That’s where our Wave View Scanner comes in - it can be used at point-of-care, providing the unique opportunity to access immediate, up-to-date data on breast health.”
“As for the Canadian innovation ecosystem, increasing support for testing new technologies is essential. We know that collaboration on pilot studies is critical, and we’re thankful for the backing that Pfizer has provided in connecting us with their network of experts - all of whom are essential as we strive to make monitoring breast health as simple as monitoring blood pressure.”
It’s hard to believe it’s only been a year since we announced our first cohort of Call-for-Solution winners. While we celebrate the progress made, we’re eager to look ahead and continue to leverage digital tools to enhance health outcomes.
At Pfizer, we recognize that the power of technology and innovation requires collaboration. In Canada, we’re surrounded by diverse tech talent, and together we can continue to deliver new and innovative solutions to patients across the country.