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UK SME developing a novel non-invasive endometriosis diagnostic tool seeks gynaecology/sonography partners with non-obstetric transvaginal ultrasound image datasets.

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology request
POD Reference
TRGB20250530022
Term of Validity
24 June 2025 - 24 June 2026
Company's Country
  • United Kingdom
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
This innovative UK based SME, developing tools to improve the diagnostic pathway for endometriosis. They use an archive of historic ultrasound scans to train algorithms, which are used to automatically analyse new patient scans, identifying the subtle signs of the condition.

Training robust algorithms takes 1000s of scan images from a broad range of women. To improve algorithm training, they are seeking access to more transvaginal ultrasound scans from healthcare sites in EU
Full Description
This innovative SME developing a software platform to improve the diagnosis of endometriosis. The founding team brings extensive experience in diagnostic platform development, having led engineering teams for rapid multiplex PCR testing systems from development to market in both the UK and Belgium
The current methods used to triage and diagnose endometriosis takes an average of 8 years to provide conclusive diagnosis. This delay may cause further complications, causing significant distress to the 15% of all females worldwide who report the symptoms of this complex gynaecological condition to their health care practitioners each year. Ultimately the existing National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) state that the recommended gold standard diagnostic methods in the UK require invasive surgery, which causes the patient significant discomfort and is resource intensive for the healthcare system.
By combining patient-reported symptoms with ultrasound scans, the client is identifying endometriosis earlier. Their patent pending platform has proven effective in identifying ovarian conditions from ultrasound scans, and they now aim to expand to more complex gynaecological conditions.
To accelerate this development the client is seeking partnerships to support this development programme with gynaecological or sonography clinics, research groups, hospitals or hospital groups that routinely scan patients presenting with endometriosis-like symptoms such as chronic pelvic pain or heavy menstrual bleeding to provide de-identified female pelvic ultrasound scan data to enhance algorithm training.
Ideally, these scans should include supporting documentation with labelled anatomy features, irregularities, or relevant diagnoses. While any European language is acceptable, English is preferred. the client will use these scans to train algorithms to improve endometriosis diagnosis in healthcare settings.
All datasets will be securely stored in compliance with the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit and Cyber Essentials Plus standards. The collaborations are expected to be formalised through Research Cooperation Agreements other mechanisms are also being considered to fund the work by the client who is open to application to funding calls within Horizon Europe. .
Advantages and Innovations
The client are innovatively using patient reported symptoms as provided during consultation with health care professionals in combination with ultrasound scans to triage and diagnose endometriosis. This will provide the patient and healthcare professional with an accurate diagnosis at a much earlier stage post the first report of symptoms. This will provide patients with expedited access to the care that they require and will avoid the unnecessary surgery.
Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
The client is seeking well labelled, de-identified ultrasound scan image files from non-obstetric transvaginal and transabdominal procedures.
Stage of Development
  • Under development
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Goal 10: Reduced Inequality
IPR status
  • IPR applied but not yet granted
IPR notes
Patent application has been filed with UK IPO and is currently pending.

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The client is hoping to work with partners from from limited to the EU who are healthcare providers specialising in gynaecological or sonography clinics, and may include research groups, hospitals or hospital groups that routinely scan patients presenting with endometriosis-like symptoms. These patient symptoms include such as chronic pelvic pain or heavy menstrual bleeding to provide de-identified female pelvic ultrasound scan data.
The client is open to application to funding calls within Horizon Europe and other grant funding mechanisms that are available.
Type and Size of Partner
  • R&D Institution
Type of partnership
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 06001001 - Biostatistics, Epidemiology
  • 06005003 - Health information management
  • 06001005 - Diagnostics, Diagnosis
Market keywords
  • 02007012 - Medical/health software
  • 05001001 - Diagnostic services
  • 05002003 - Ultrasound imaging
Sector Groups Involved
  • Health
  • Digital
Targeted countries
  • All countries