Insights and future opportunities from Definition Health’s Canadian trade mission

Definition Health is at the forefront of transforming healthcare through our AI-driven solutions, and our recent participation in Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme: ‘Canada – AI in Health’ in Toronto highlights this journey. This trade mission, run in partnership with the MaRS Discovery District, which supports innovative science and tech companies to achieve global impact and scale, provided invaluable insights and connections that are shaping the future of AI. Here, Jan Gosiewski, Head of Data Science and R&D, and Sam Chauhan, Business Analyst, share key takeaways from their time in Canada and their vision for AI in healthcare.

Toronto’s AI ecosystem

Innovate UK’s Global Incubator Programme fosters innovation and collaboration between UK businesses and world-leading incubators abroad. Our acceptance into this competitive programme underscores our commitment to advancing healthcare through cutting-edge AI technology, particularly in precision medicine.

Toronto, renowned for its concentration of AI startups and healthcare innovation, provided a dynamic backdrop for exploring future trends in AI. The city’s robust support for AI and healthtech innovation makes it a pivotal market for growth and collaboration in digital healthcare. Jan and Sam’s immersion in Toronto’s AI and healthcare ecosystem offered a glimpse into the future of personalised care. They engaged with leading experts and institutions, gaining insights into responsible AI/ML technology and future models poised to revolutionise healthcare.

Showcasing innovation

The MaRS Impact Health and Collision conferences were key highlights of the trip and provided a platform to showcase Definition Health’s data-driven solutions. These events highlighted the growing interest in AI applications in healthcare, particularly in diagnostics and personalised care. Impact Health focused on AI applications in healthcare, featuring sessions on precision medicine and patient care optimisation. Jan noted, “The industry insight and expertise we received were incredibly helpful and will inform our own work in AI and machine learning to enhance our Smart Surgical Solutions.”

Known for its emphasis on technology, Collision offered sessions on responsible AI and future AI models. Sam commented, “Engaging with other innovators helped us understand local healthcare challenges and expand our network.” Reflecting on these conferences, Jan and Sam emphasised the importance of industry insights and collaborative opportunities in advancing Definition Health’s mission. “The sessions at both conferences confirmed the vital role our solutions can play in the global healthcare landscape,” Jan remarked.

Exploring excellence

Visits to pioneering institutions like St. Michael’s Hospital and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research were particularly enlightening. At St. Michael’s Hospital, Jan and Sam observed firsthand how AI is being integrated into clinical workflows to enhance diagnostics and patient outcomes. Dr. Muhammad Mamdani’s team is at the forefront of selecting, building, deploying, and evaluating machine learning technologies, showcasing the future of clinician-led AI innovation. Jan remarked, “The approach at St. Michael’s is ahead of its time, emphasising responsible AI use that directly benefits patients. Seeing their commitment to improving diagnostics through AI was inspiring and provided a clear roadmap for our own initiatives.”

At the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, the focus was on the transformative role of AI in oncology. Jan and Sam learned about advanced AI models that improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, aligning closely with Definition Health’s own efforts in precision medicine. “Their work parallels our risk-stratification modelling,” Jan noted. “There is strong potential for collaboration in several areas, especially in leveraging AI to personalise cancer treatment.”

Additionally, their visit to Sick Kids highlighted the hospital’s ambitious big data initiative. Harnessing 7 trillion patient data points to tailor care for each child, Sick Kids exemplifies the potential of data-driven personalised healthcare. Sam commented, “The scale and precision of their data-driven approach were remarkable and offered a vision of how we can enhance patient care through machine learning.” The insights gained from these institutions underscore the transformative potential of AI in healthcare. They provide a glimpse into a future where AI-driven solutions improve patient outcomes, streamline operations, and support precision medicine on a global scale.

Building connections

Networking opportunities throughout the trip underscored the importance of collaboration in driving AI innovation. Conversations with leading companies and institutions revealed emerging trends and potential partnerships that could shape the future of healthcare. “The insights from discussions with other innovators were inspiring,” Sam remarked. “They provided a clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities in leveraging AI to solve complex healthcare problems.”

The Definition Health team were delighted to be hosted by the UK Consul General to Toronto, Fouzia Younis, at the Great British Tech Reception, where they met other leading British companies spurring international trade between the UK and Canada. Reflecting on the networking opportunities, Sam commented, “The reception was an invaluable experience. It allowed us to forge connections with key stakeholders and exchange ideas on the future of AI in healthcare.”

Looking ahead

The trip to Canada has significantly advanced Definition Health’s journey in AI-driven healthcare innovation. The exposure to cutting-edge AI applications and the valuable connections made will support our ongoing projects, including our recent Innovate UK grant to develop machine learning approaches for predicting musculoskeletal (MSK) surgical outcomes.

Looking ahead, Jan emphasised, “We are optimistic about pursuing data partnerships, pilot sites, and growth opportunities in Canada… but first, we have a very long list of contacts to follow up with!” This journey has strengthened our commitment to leveraging AI for improved healthcare outcomes and reinforced our position as a forward-thinking leader in digital health innovation.

Definition Health is excited about the future of AI in healthcare and the role we will play in shaping next-generation solutions. For more information about our work in precision medicine or to discuss potential collaborations, please contact us using the form below.