Using data from wearables, AI startup maps human physiology and health in real-time to enable early detection of disease.
Healthcare AI company PreemptiveAI has quietly emerged from stealth mode with $6.4 million in funding to advance its foundation model for health prediction and monitoring. The Seattle-based company, which is on a mission to “extend human life,” says it has developed a large-scale machine learning model that leverages advanced signal processing to interpret biomedical signals from smartphones and wearables.
By mapping human physiology in real-time, PreemptiveAI aims to provide new insights into health, with a focus on early disease detection. Leveraging the photoplethysmography (PPG) signals collected by many wearable devices, the company aims to generate a deeper understanding of the body’s physiological state, claiming its approach not only facilitates early disease detection but also has implications for patient care, precision medicine, and drug development.
Incubated at the Paul Allen AI Institute, PreemptiveAI is led by a trio of founders: Jamien McCullum, Leon Gatys, co-founder of Apple’s AI health division, and Matt Whitehill, whose doctoral research in health sensors was conducted under the guidance of Shwetak Patel, a leading researcher in novel sensing solutions. The company’s web site indicates it is initially targeting healthcare providers, pharma companies, and payors with its technology.
Supported by the Paul Allen AI Institute and investors including Inspired Capital, Meridian Street Capital, and Precursor Ventures, PreemptiveAI has also formed a strategic partnership with Duke University. The collaboration focuses on enhancing the AI model’s predictive capabilities, particularly in predicting hospital readmissions and identifying rising health risks, according to Dr Lana Wahid of Duke University.
“PreemptiveAI represents a monumental leap forward in our pursuit of transformative healthcare,” said Wahid. “Their technology is the catalyst we’ve needed to shift paradigms, providing a clear route to enhance patient care, improve outcomes, and drive significant cost savings.”
While remaining light on specifics, PreemptiveAI says it is preparing for its first “commercial deployments” in 2024.
