The Swedish health tech startup plans to use evidence-based methods and clinical research strategies to develop AI algorithms for healthcare.

The company is associated to Uppsala University and plans to initiate the first clinical studies in 2019. AlgoDx’s most advanced development project involves an algorithm for prediction of the risk of sepsis.

“Algorithms can play an important role for prediction and diagnosis of disease. We intend to develop evidence-based algorithms that will support physicians with some important medical decisions. We also intend to develop precision medicine AI solutions that will help physicians identify which treatment will be most suitable for a specific patient,” says Inger Persson, biostatistician researcher at Uppsala University and co-founder of AlgoDx.

Sepsis affects more than 30 million people every year

One of the company’s development projects focuses on sepsis, where initial signs of disease can be difficult to interpret for healthcare professionals. Sepsis, a condition that arises when the host response to infection causes organ dysfunction in the patient, remains a major killer. It is estimated that sepsis affects more than 30 million people worldwide every year, potentially leading to 6 million deaths.

“The vision is an autonomous AI algorithm that, on an ongoing basis, can score the risk of sepsis in patients admitted to intensive care units and other medical wards. It is well-known that early diagnosis and early treatment of sepsis is crucial for patient survival. Today, methods used to identify signs of sepsis mainly involve manual processes conducted by physicians and nurses. Our hypothesis is that an AI algorithm that uses the patient’s vital parameters will identify those who have developed or are about to develop sepsis,” says David Becedas, Director of Clinical Research.