Today, Milan, Italy’s vibrant center of technology, became the hub for digital health solutions as it marked the annual Milan digital health expo. He said that the event has been expanded rapidly in recent years to show that Italian startups are progressing rapidly in fields such as artificial intelligence, telemedicine, and digital health.
Among all the showcased pitches, the most impressive was the one presented by Florence-based Neurobit developing an AI-based system aimed at early diagnosis of neurological disorders. The system applies sophisticated machine learning to analyze MR scans and find small changes that are characteristic of such diseases as Alzheimer’s for years before the signs of the illness appear. Using this technology means that neurodegenerative disorders can be diagnosed early thus revolutionizing its treatment.
The next new concept was pioneered by a Roman company Cardiolytics, which demonstrated a new wearable device for cardiac monitoring in real time. Unlike standard heart monitory gadgets, Cardiolytics’ device incorporates both ECG sensors and AI technologies to give users and physicians an actual-time analysis of the heart rhythm irregularities and tell them about adverse effects before they become life-threatening. It also added that the company has recently obtained CE marking for the device, which will enable its deployment in Europe.
In the digital therapeutics segment, an Italian company from Milan, Mindful Health, attracted a lot of attention with an evidence-based app-based method of treatment of anxiety and depression. The app uses elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and individual artificial intelligence-based coaching, and the three-month studies yielded high results. While opening the expo, Mindful Health’s CEO announced that the company is negotiating with several regional health authorities in Italy to incorporate the app into the range of ordinary mental health services.
Another area of growth that was audible and visible at the expo was the number of startups that are pioneering the healthcare sector with special emphasis on availability. Turin-based telemedicine startup Telemedicine Italia showcased the company’s sophisticated telemedicine system that allows people to consult with a range of specialists via the Internet. Fast becoming a popular medium for the provision of services, especially in the rural areas of Italy, the platform is now proceeding to extend its services in multiple languages in response to the increase in immigration in Italy.
A debate with the representatives from the Ministry of Health in Italy and the Italian Medicines Agency called AIFA showed that the government supports innovation in the digital health field. The speakers described the most recent changes in the legislation aimed at improvements of the environment for the digital health technologies approval and further conversation was held about the current initiatives to support Italian health technologies startups in Italy.
It also provided the backdrop for several key funding round and partnership anouncements. As a matter of interest the Genoa based BioData Analytics stated that it has raised €20 million for its Series B in order to expand its platform for analysing genomic data. Some of the leading hospitals in Italy have adopted the company’s technology for using patient’s genetic patterns to give a tailored action on cancer.
Interest from overseas in the latest developments in Italy’s digital health industry was demonstrated at the expo, as representatives from global big-hitting IT firms, and venture capital firms were present. A spokeswoman for a top Silicon Valley VC firm observing the show said he saw a “maturity that is not common to see in start-ups, especially Italian ones”, most of them as competitive as those in the world’s leading technology centers.
The Milan Digital Health Expo also revealed that Italy is becoming larger part of the overall European picture of this domain. Among the several pitches that were showcased, several were from Italian startups whose projects are funded as part of EU initiatives indicate the growing interconnectivity of Italy into the European health tech market.
However, as part of the presentations and discussions, SFO’s challenges to the sector as a whole were also addressed. One recurring topic of discussion was the necessity to establish closer working relationships between start-up ventures, existing healthcare organizations, and relevant authorities in order to make sure that new technologies can be adopted quickly and efficiently while at the same time meeting all necessary quality requirements set by Italian legislation.
The last and final session of the expo provided some insight into the future of the digital health in Italy. Surveys also said the years ahead would endeavor to explore genetics-based treatment, the addition of AI in the diagnostics and treatment maps, and incorporation of digital health into primary care practices.
When the Milan Digital Health Expo concluded, the overall picture that emerged was that there’s a new, lively era of health tech now underway in Italy. Threats Unfortunately, no threats have been found Italy has all the prerequisites necessary for shifting towards digital health – advanced technologies, favorable legislation, and an increasing number of gifted start-up founders.
That the result of this year’s expo was a success speaks volumes about the dynamic nature of Italy’s DH digital health economy and that the future of Italy’s innovations may potentially be a key player in determining the direction of healthcare not just in Italy, but in Europe and the rest of the world. Already, as these startups develop their solutions even further and the technologies get more advanced, they create the possibility to positively impact patients’ health and the healthcare industry in Italy and globally.
