At the 2024 Digital Healthcare Challenge, co-hosted by UNIST and the UCLA Center for SMART Health, Promedius Inc. achieved a remarkable victory. During the award presentation ceremony held on October 15 in the Market Hall of the University-Industry Cooperation Building at UNIST, the team received consideration recognition for its groundbreaking solution, ‘PROS CXR: OSTEO‘—a deep learning model designed to identify patients at risk for osteoporosis through the analysis of chest X-ray images.
This cutting-edge solution leverages AI technology to detect osteoporosis in individuals who may not exhibit overt symptoms. By enabling early identification, it aims to enhance treatment timelines, potentially preventing severe osteoporosis-related fractures in older adults and improving overall quality of life for these patients.
The competition focuses on discovering innovative digital solutions based on medical data in Korea, validating these solutions using UCLA’s medical data, and supporting their entry into the global market. This is the second competition for Promedius Inc., recognized for its substantial influence in the medical marketplace, innovative approach, and strong verifiability.
As the winning team, Promedius Inc. will initiate the technology validation of PROS CXR: OSTEO utilizing data from the UCLA Center for SMART Health. The company also plans to engage in discussions regarding clinical trials in the United States and navigate FDA approval procedures based on the outcomes of the validation process.
“Numerous innovative digital healthcare solutions were submitted to this competition, but the PROS CXR: OSTEO by Promedius Inc. has demonstrated exceptional potential for the global market,” stated Sung Chul Bae, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “UNIST and UCLA will continue to collaborate to develop exemplary medical technologies and facilitate their advancement into international markets.”
Hyun-Jin Bae, Chief Technology Officer of Promedius Inc., expressed enthusiasm, stating, “Winning this digital healthcare challenge acknowledges our technological advancements and growth potential, providing us with a valuable opportunity for further validation through UCLA’s data.” He added, “We are committed to strengthening our clinical evidence by leveraging global research networks and expanding our AI technology into the global medical landscape.”
In addition, UNIST and UCLA, in collaboration with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), have announced the launch of the third edition of the 2024 Digital Healthcare Challenge. Applications for the contest will be accepted until October 20, and the initiative aims to expand participation through KITA’s global growth support network for startups. Further details about the competition can be found on the official website: www.unistxucla.com.
Meanwhile, the competition is sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), LG Uplus Corp., and the UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute.