Vancouver, BC, May 27, 2024 – Clarius Mobile Health, a leading provider of high-definition handheld ultrasound systems is partnering with Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (Novartis) to provide access to ultrasound for rheumatologists to use for early detection of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Affecting an estimated 300,000 Canadians, this chronic form of arthritis causes joint inflammation and occurs in 1/3 of people with skin psoriasis1. With improved access to ultrasound technology, rheumatologists will be able to identify diagnostic markers sooner, and may positively impact the timeline to diagnosis for PsA patients.
“We are honoured to collaborate with Novartis Canada on this innovative, focused approach to improving the care of patients suffering from this debilitating disease,” said Clarius President and CEO Ohad Arazi. “This initiative is a perfect example of the benefit of improving access to medical imaging in all areas of medicine. We are delighted that our AI-powered specialty handheld ultrasound scanners are well suited for this purpose.”
The cross-sector partnership is a first for Clarius and aims to increase access to ultrasound devices and training, enabling rheumatologists to see inflammation sooner, improve the time to diagnosis and ultimately improve patient outcomes The Clarius L15 HD3 scanner has been selected for this large scale, commercial implementation due to its ability to automatically provide clear and detailed ultrasound images of superficial anatomy. Easy to learn and use for novices, the scanners connect wirelessly to an AI-powered app on clinicians’ Apple and Android smart devices.
“At Novartis, we recognize the tremendous potential AI holds for our industry and the healthcare landscape at large,” said Mark Vineis, Country President at Novartis Canada. “The partnership with Clarius has the potential to transform PsA detection, with the possibility of scaling to other immunology indications, across specialties and beyond Canada.”
Novartis Canada has collaborated with Canada’s top ultrasound Musculoskeletal (MSK) experts in Canada and members of the Canadian Rheumatology Ultrasound Society (CRUS), to design and lead training sessions for rheumatologists across the country who are enrolled in the ultrasound program. Dr. Mohammed Bardi, a practicing rheumatologist in Vancouver is one of the experts and has been performing ultrasound exams on his patients for the past seven years.
“To be able to do point of care testing is so valuable,” says Dr. Bardi. “If I see someone who has inflammatory arthritis, I can start treatment with them and then I can bring them back three months later after I’ve given them a drug and see what’s changed. When I can show them their old images and their new images and they can see the difference, it really helps with patient adherence.”
1. Canadian Association of Psoriasis Patients. Psoriasis – Comorbidities. Available at: https://www.canadianpsoriasis.ca/en/psoriasis/living-with-psoriasis/comorbidities . Accessed on April 24, 2024.
About Clarius Mobile Health
Clarius is on a mission to make accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable ultrasound tools available to all medical professionals in every specialty. With decades of experience in medical imaging, the team knows that great ultrasound imaging improves confidence and patient care. Today, AI-powered Clarius handheld wireless ultrasound scanners connect to iOS and Android devices, delivering high-resolution ultrasound images traditionally only available with bulkier, high-end systems at a fraction of the cost. Almost 4 million high-definition scans have been performed using Clarius wireless handheld scanners. Clarius scanners are available in over 90 countries worldwide. Learn more at www.clarius.com.
About Novartis
Novartis is a focused innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. Reimagine medicine with us: Visit us at https://www.novartis.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.
In Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 600 people to serve the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system and invests over $30 million in R&D yearly in the country. For more information visit www.novartis.ca.
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Phone: +1 (778) 800-99754 ext. 148