OvAi

Softwere supporting the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

 

 

Decription

Three-quarters of ovarian cancer diagnoses are late, leading to high mortality rates for this condition: early diagnosis is the key element in increasing survival rates above 90%. SynDiag, an innovative startup founded in 2019, creates digital gynecology tools to assist doctors in the objective interpretation of follow-up ultrasounds, initiating an early and quality diagnostic pathway aimed at optimizing healthcare services and saving lives. Specifically, SynDiag’s OvAi software, a Medical Device with CE mark in Class I, analyzes ultrasound video and, using artificial intelligence algorithms, identifies the specific anatomical features of ovarian tumors, providing an “augmented ultrasound” that delivers accurate information to doctors and real-time support. After winning the Start Cup Piemonte Valle d’Aosta competition in 2018, in 2020 SynDiag received support from the POR FESR Regione Piemonte SC-UP call.

Result to be enhanced

Thanks to the resources obtained through the SC-UP call, SynDiag has been able to develop the OvAi platform, a Medical Device as Software with CE mark in Class I, for supporting the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. OvAi offers a service called “Academy” that allows training doctors to access the first available database of real clinical cases already diagnosed in reference centers. The OvAi Tutor feature enables the study of clinical cases through a personalized learning pathway. AI is the foundation of the OvAi Focus and OvAi X products (available starting in 2024), which analyze all gynecological ultrasounds performed by the physician to identify the presence of suspicious ovarian cysts and provide an indication for virtual biopsy, i.e., the exact type of ovarian tumor being observed. This way, proper planning of treatment stages can proceed only in cases where it is necessary.

Why is it important?

Ovarian cancer is called “silent killer” because, despite its low incidence, it is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancer. In the early stages of development, it is asymptomatic or presents with nonspecific symptoms, and the diagnosis through ultrasound is particularly operator-dependent. These issues make it very complex to provide all women with adequate diagnostic services, leading to a high number of late diagnoses. With OvAi, an integrated service has been made available to physicians that accompanies all stages of the patient’s journey, from the initial visit in the community to the definitive diagnosis at the reference center. OvAi Focus supports the identification of at-risk ovarian cysts and allows, through telemedicine, for real-time second opinions from experienced doctors; OvAi X also makes possible an examination that is currently not feasible. In fact, traditional biopsy cannot be performed for the analysis of ovarian cysts and is only done during surgical intervention, when the diagnostic decision has already been made. By using OvAi X, it will be possible to obtain this important information at the time of the first ultrasound, allowing for better treatment planning. Lastly, the Digital Gynecology Academy enables a collaborative and digital approach to training, providing residents and specialists with information and clinical data that are not easily available today. In this way, OvAi positions itself as a companion, like an expert doctor, assisting the gynecologist at the moment of diagnostic decision-making, enabling them to provide their patients with the best information and the best technology available during every visit.