Wim Van Hecke, CEO, Icometrix
Do you know nearly 1 billion people worldwide are affected by neurological disorders? And, sadly, every year, approximately 7 million people lose their lives due to these debilitating conditions. Yet, it’s not just the personal toll that’s at stake here. From Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to strokes and brain injuries, these conditions incur a substantial economic burden, estimated to cost a whopping $800 billion annually in the United States alone. Amidst these challenges, AI has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionizing the way we approach neurological care from early diagnosis to personalized treatment plans. Leveraging machine learning algorithms and analyzing vast amounts of data including medical records, imaging studies, and genetic information, AI can identify patterns and biomarkers that can detect the early signs of neurological disorders, even before symptoms manifest. Such breakthroughs in early detection facilitate timely interventions, driving more effective treatment strategies and paving the way for remarkable improvements in patient outcomes.
Embracing such boundless potential of AI, one pioneering force that stands at the forefront of revolutionizing neurological care is icometrix. Established in 2011 in Leuven, Belgium, Icometrix is dedicated to delivering data-driven insights and enabling personalized patient care through the power of artificial intelligence. With a diverse portfolio of AI solutions, the company assists healthcare providers in addressing the myriad challenges associated with neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, brain trauma, epilepsy, stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Today, Icometrix operates on an international scale, seamlessly integrated into over 100 clinical practices. Furthermore, through strategic collaborations with healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies, it is actively involved in evaluating drug research for neurological disorders, spanning phase I-III trials and Real-World Evidence (RWE) studies.
Offering a Diverse Portfolio of AI Solutions
icometrix offers an impressive portfolio of eight regulatory-approved AI solutions that cater to diverse healthcare challenges. Among its innovative offerings is icobrain, which extracts critical data from brain MRI and CT scans, facilitating radiological reporting and clinical management of neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, brain trauma, epilepsy, stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, icometrix’s groundbreaking digital platform and mobile app, icompanion, empower individuals with multiple sclerosis and their care teams to efficiently and objectively monitor clinical symptoms and treatments. Furthermore, Icolung, another cutting-edge solution by icometrix was designed to address the pressing demands of the COVID-19 pandemic by accurately measuring lung involvement on chest CT scans. By leveraging these cutting-edge solutions, icometrix is at the forefront of personalized care for neurological conditions, democratizing evidence-based practices and improving patient outcomes. Whether it’s augmenting productivity, enhancing communication, improving diagnostic confidence, or facilitating faster and more accurate treatment decisions, icometrix’s AI-driven services are transforming the landscape of neurological care.
Icobrains portfolio delivers measurably better quantitative volumetric analysis to complement radiologist imaging expertise. Backed by over 200 scientific publications and 100 research and trial studies, its disease-specific algorithms and reference data leverage the power of both machine learning and deep learning to accurately detect and quantify abnormalities. Impressively, recent studies have demonstrated that icometrix’s software can significantly reduce radiological reading time by up to 40%, resulting in remarkable gains in efficiency. “The combinations of Icobrains’ colour-coded segmentations intuitive reports and pre-populated reporting templates help you extract relevant disease-specific information and communicate it efficiently, effectively and in a standardized way,” asserts Wim Van Hecke, the CEO at icometrix.
Furthermore, the icobrain portfolio provides exceptional quantitative insights that substantially enhance sensitivity in detecting disease activity, with a remarkable boost of up to 300%. By longitudinally tracking clinically relevant changes and comparing them to a reference population, icometrix significantly increases the likelihood of identifying clinically meaningful abnormalities and changes. “We are dedicated to equipping healthcare professionals with the tools they need to deliver superior care and drive impactful change in neurological diagnosis and treatment,” affirms Wim.
Possessing Extensive Capabilities for Clinical Trials and Research
Along with its clinical icobrain portfolio, icometrix has a wide range of expertise with comprehensive capabilities for clinical trials and research studies. From traumatic brain injury to stroke, dementia, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, brain tumours, brain development, and beyond, icometrix excels in the quantification of various neurological conditions. Leveraging advanced MRI techniques such as brain diffusion imaging, brain perfusion analysis, functional MRI, myelination assessment, and MR spectroscopy, icometrix provides valuable insights into the microstructure, blood flow, activity, and metabolic composition of the brain. Additionally, icometrix offers a disease-specific ePRO service, catering to clinical trials with a customized application available in 23 languages.
The Guiding Principles That Fuel icobrain’s Pursuits
At the heart of icometrix are five core values that drive its every endeavour: collaboration, trust, respect, impact, and crazitivity. For icometrix, collaboration is not just a word; it’s the driving force that propels them further in their mission. The company firmly believe that everyone in the team plays a valuable role in their pursuit of excellence. Trust is another fundamental pillar of their values, fostering an environment of positivity and transparency among team members. They communicate with respect, both internally and externally, recognizing the significance of treating others with dignity and professionalism.
icometrix refuses to settle for the status quo, continually striving for improvement and embracing the power of innovation to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by neurological disorders. This unique blend of creativity and ambition, aptly termed “crazitivity,” fuels their unwavering dedication to their mission. “We have a great team that works so hard every day to help people with neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, epilepsy, brain trauma, or other disorders. We have a great passion that resulted in our CE and FDA-cleared icobrain-tools that are being used worldwide. Together, we’re reshaping the future of healthcare,” opines Wim.
Continues Reshaping the Landscape of Neurological Care
Besides its empowering values and seasoned team, icometrix’s uniqueness also comes from its cutting-edge solutions that go beyond volumetric quantification. With its pioneering solutions, the company always strives to enhance the quality of brain scans by benchmarking and monitoring essential parameters. Moreover, it aims to provide guidance in protocol optimization, ensuring adherence to industry standards and guidelines. By prioritizing quality service and optimized communication among stakeholders, icometrix envisions a future where better care and improved clinical outcomes become a reality. “At icometrix, we aim to offer a holistic solution that leverages AI to complement radiologists and enable value-based care for people with neurological conditions,” adds Wim. With these aspirations at the core of its mission, icometrix continues reshaping the landscape of neurological care and driving transformative advancements in the field.