U N D E R T H E M I C R O S C O P E

FOUNDER OF HUMANFIRST

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in Life Sciences , and how has your motivation evolved over time ?

With a dentist father and a nurse mother , healthcare has always been ‘ in my blood .’ That said , my unease with literal blood meant that direct patient care wasn ’ t in my future . My calling in tech and life sciences has still allowed me to contribute to human health in a meaningful way , helping to transform healthcare delivery and improve lives from a different vantage point .

My professional experiences in life sciences and the health tech industry started with a McKinsey consulting project I was staffed on for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS ) in Arkansas , where we focused on transitioning from a fee-for-service model to a value-based care system that incorporated risk-sharing components and was the first time I could use my Machine Learning and software engineering background in practice .

This experience introduced me to the shortcomings of our country ’ s existing incentive systems , which do not adequately reward preventative care . I began to envision how a systemic change could better support prevention and ultimately improve patient outcomes .

Andy Coravos , Founder of HumanFirst , recently acquired by ICON , discusses her journey in the industry , sharing insights on leveraging digital health technologies and wearables to manage chronic conditions . Drawing from her recent Lancet Digital Health review , Coravos highlights the potential of smartwatches and fitness trackers in improving patient outcomes and easing the burden on healthcare systems .

specifically , in the clinical trials process where life saving treatments are created and tested . Using phenotypic data that is easier to measure and analyse , it is possible to develop better medical products and create a more responsive healthcare system .

What aspects of the HealthTech industry are you most passionate about , and why do you believe this field is crucial for the future of healthcare ?

I believe in the potential of technology to personalise and democratise healthcare . The current healthcare system is full of inefficiency , creating an opportunity to streamline processes and ease patient burden through innovative technologies , ultimately improving outcomes and reducing costs .

I ’ ve been interested in building incentive systems that would allow patients to receive the right treatment tailored to their specific needs . This involves using data analytics and Artificial Intelligence to provide personalised treatment plans . By bringing more technology into patients ’ homes , researchers can offer clinical trials in natural environments , which not only enhances comfort and convenience but also leads to better adherence to clinical research and improved medical products .

This line of thought led me to an interest in clinical outcomes , and I became fascinated by the challenge of not only improving outcomes , but also measuring them more effectively – because if you ’ re not capturing the right data , how do you know if you ’ re affecting real change ?

This led me to explore the potential of digital biomarkers and clinical outcome assessments ( COAs ) in healthcare and

Another interest of mine is making research more accessible to a broader population . In our current system , access to clinical trials is often limited by geographical and financial barriers . Through telemedicine and digital health platforms , researchers can democratise access to clinical trials , ensuring that everyone , regardless of their location or socioeconomic status , can participate in the development of new medical products .

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