Gadgets Philippines – July 2019

68 JULY 2019 http://www.gadgetsmagazine.com.ph

AC Health invests in predictive healthcare

technology company, Fibronostics

Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health),

through its technology arm, Vigos, expanded

its digital portfolio with a recent investment

in Fibronostics, a global US-based healthcare

technology company focusing on non-invasive

algorithm-based solutions for diagnostic testing.

The agreement was signed by Paolo Borromeo,

president and CEO, AC Health; Christian Besler,

chief digital officer, AC Health , and Dr. Michael

Shleifer, managing partner, SPRIM Ventures,

recently. SPRIM is the bioscience R&D firm from

which Fibronostics was spun off.

Founded in 2015, Fibronostics aims to improve

screening, follow-up, and diagnosis through

non-invasive products. Key focus areas include

prevalent chronic conditions such as liver disease,

coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and

obstructive sleep apnea.

“This investment fits well into our Vigos health

technology portfolio, which we are proud to say is

the first digital health portfolio in the Philippines.

We are always on the lookout for technology

solutions that empower our doctors and improve

quality for our patients,” said Borromeo.

Algorithms

As part of the partnership, AC Health will launch

two Fibronostics products, LiverFAST and

HealthFACTR, in its FamilyDOC clinics. LiverFAST

is a proprietary algorithm that analyzes 10

biomarkers from a blood sample to help screen

and monitor common liver diseases. The test is

intended to be a simple and less expensive option

to other diagnostics, such as liver biopsy or liver

imaging. HealthFACTR, on the other hand, is as

a 10-minute metabolic health check-up solution

that provides immediate risk assessment and

personalized recommendations, based on the

latest medical guidelines.

“We believe LiverFAST and HealthFACTR can

help make diagnostic tests more meaningful

for patients and doctors. These algorithms are

excellent examples of how we can harness

healthcare data and analytics to improve clinical

decision-making,” Besler said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Shleifer believes that the partnership

would encourage more patients to appreciate the

value of screening and preventive health.

“We are very excited to collaborate with AC

Health,” said Dr. Shleifer. “Through their network of

FamilyDOC clinics, we hope to reach many more

patients in the Philippines, where the burden of

chronic diseases has been growing. Ultimately, our

goal is to screen patients early so that they can work

in partnership with their doctors to maintain good

health and prevent complications.”

Vigos also has investments in MedGrocer (a

technology-enabled medicine-as-a-service for

companies and drug manufacturers), AIDE (a home

healthcare mobile platform), and Tikehau-SPRIM (a

Singapore-based health fund). It has also built its

own suite of health technology products including

VigosEMR, an Electronic Medical Records and Clinic

Information System, which is being used across all

FamilyDOC clinics, and Vigos CARE, an integrated

corporate health solutions platform allowing

companies and employees to maximize their health

benefits.

From left to right: Christian Besler, AC Health Chief Digital Officer; Josette Abarca, AC Health Chief Finance Officer; Paolo Borromeo, AC Health CEO and President; Michael Shleifer, SPRIM Ventures Managing Partner;

Bruno de Pampelonne, Tikehau IM CEO; Dr. Ronald Quiambao, SPRIM Philippines Regional Medical Director; and Lorra Dela Paz, AC Health Strategy and Business Development.