Avant Technologies and Ainnova Tech partner to advance retinal camera with AI-driven diagnostic platform
Avant Technologies and Ainnova Tech have partnered to develop a low-cost retinal camera integrated with Ainnova’s Vision AI platform for early detection of ocular and systemic diseases. The technology will be marketed as a SaaS platform for primary care settings.
(Image credit: AdobeStock/Justlight)
Avant Technologies Inc. and its partner, Ainnova Tech Inc., have announced a collaboration to advance Ainnova’s proprietary low-cost retinal camera, designed for fundus photography. This camera will be integrated with Ainnova’s Vision AI software platform for commercialization, marking a significant step toward making retinal imaging more accessible in routine healthcare.
By combining these technologies, Ainnova’s retinal camera will capture retinal images and seamlessly transmit them to Vision AI software for analysis. Vision AI is an advanced artificial intelligence-driven platform capable of detecting early markers of various ocular and systemic diseases. The platform uses AI models to analyze imaging data from the eye, allowing for earlier detection and improved disease management.1
Diseases detectable by Vision AI include diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular edema, age-related macular degeneration, and other retinal abnormalities. The software is also capable of identifying non-ocular conditions, such as kidney disease, liver fat accumulation, cardiovascular risk, and pre-diabetes, using additional data points that Ainnova will incorporate into the platform.
Currently, Vision AI is compatible with any fundus camera on the market. However, Ainnova and Avant aim to offer a differentiated product by developing a cost-effective, user-friendly camera that automatically captures retinal images and uploads them directly to the Vision AI software platform. This integration will allow for the rapid generation of a "risk report" in just seconds.
The two companies have formed Ai-nova Acquisition Corp. (AAC), a joint venture and licensing entity, to develop and market the retinal cameras and Vision AI software. AAC will manage the licensing rights for the technology portfolio in North America (U.S. and Canada) and Europe. As part of the joint venture, AAC will oversee the development, commercialization, and ongoing support of the products.
Vinicio Vargas, CEO of Ainnova and a member of AAC’s Board of Directors, emphasized the company's goal of providing an affordable retinal imaging solution. "I will be meeting with a leading U.S. provider of digital healthcare solutions to discuss a potential distribution agreement, investment, and regulatory support," Vargas said.
AAC plans to market the retinal camera and Vision AI software as a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, bundled with the camera as a pay-per-use, per-patient, monthly subscription. The target audience for this package includes primary care clinics, insurance companies, optometrists, pharmacies, occupational health providers, and pharmaceutical companies involved in the treatment of ocular or systemic diseases.1
Vargas highlighted the vision for the future of retinal imaging in primary care: "Our goal is for retinal screening to become as routine as taking a patient’s blood pressure, with other relevant data points—such as demographic information or laboratory results—helping to generate a comprehensive preventive medicine report." He emphasized that the platform would facilitate early detection and appropriate referrals to specialists, significantly improving patient outcomes.
"Our proprietary retinal camera, combined with Vision AI, represents an accessible opportunity for early detection, and this is how we intend to make a global impact," Vargas said.
Ainnova has established commercial agreements with pharmaceutical companies, medical clinics, insurance providers, and healthcare service organizations. These partnerships are expected to provide AAC with valuable insights as it works to introduce the SaaS platform and retinal camera to both North American and European markets.1
