Annidis Selected and Funded by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute to Address Space Travel Related Eye Problems
Annidis Corporation (TSX Venture: RHA) (“Annidis” or the “Company“) today announced that it has been selected and funded by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) as one of three companies to further develop unique technologies that address visual problems experienced by astronauts in space as well as on Earth.
Many astronauts experience eye problems related to space travel. That’s why the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) Industry Forum launched the ‘Vision for Mars’ Challenge to identify and advance critical medical technologies for ocular health. Annidis was as one of six companies among hundreds of applications to present and demonstrate in front of the NSBRI’s industry Forum Steering Council. After a rigorous presentation, and a thorough demonstration of the technology, the council chose three companies to participate and receive funding to identify and advance critical medical technologies for ocular health.
“Annidis’ Multi-Spectral Imaging is a revolutionary technology for early detection of outer retinal and choroidal disorders, which can potentially affect astronauts during long duration space travel,” said Dr. Gene de Juan , the Jean Kelly Stock Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology at University of California, San Francisco , and a member of the Vision for Mars Advisory Team. “This device is complementary to the diagnostic capabilities that are already on board the International Space Station as it creates a series of discrete ‘spectral images’ throughout the entire thickness of the retina and choroid.”
“We are delighted to have been chosen as one of three recipient’s to receive support and funding from the NSBRI,” says Gerald Slemko , CEO of Annidis. “We believe this accomplishment speaks to the quality of our RHA instrument and software, and further validates our commitment to advancing retinal health, and lends credibility to our continued efforts in delivering excellence to the market.”
The three companies were selected by NSBRI’s Industry Forum Steering Council, and funding was provided through the Space Medical and Related Technologies Commercialization Program (SMARTCAP), administered by NSBRI’s Industry Forum. SMARTCAP offers grants that help companies broaden the reach of their products, open new market opportunities, and simultaneously address the significant challenges faced by humans living and working in space.
The Annidis RHA™ is a multispectral ophthalmoscope with multi-image software processing that quickly and non-invasively images the retina with such fine detail as to rival invasive and more complicated procedures. The advantages of Annidis RHA include maximizing patient examinations, while reducing invasive tests and procedures to yield the same or better diagnostic quality.
Multi-spectral imaging extends the analysis eye care professionals use to distinguish between ocular structures. It both expands the examination wavelength range from green to invisible near infrared light and generates the probe wavelengths to separate specific spectral regions for enhanced visibility and discrimination. The combination of the images and extracted data points provides an enhanced view of the eye.
About National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI)
Established in 1997 through a NASA competition, NSBRI is a consortium of leading biomedical institutions including Baylor College of Medicine , Brookhaven National Laboratory, Harvard Medical School , The Johns Hopkins University , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Morehouse School of Medicine , Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Rice University , Texas A&M University , University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania Health System and University of Washington . NSBRI, a 501(c)(3) organization partnered with NASA, is studying the health risks related to long- duration spaceflight and developing the technologies and countermeasures needed for human space exploration missions. The Institute’s science, technology and education projects take place at approximately 60 institutions across the United States. For more information, please visit www.nsbri.org
About Annidis Corporation
Annidis (RHA.V) has developed and is marketing a new imaging platform technology based on Multi-Spectral Imaging (MSI). This new technology is opening a new frontier in disease identification and its management. The Annidis MSI technology allows eye-care professionals to view non-invasively the deepest areas of the eye aiding eye care professionals in the early identification and treatment of debilitating eye diseases. The Company’s existing RHA 2020-U Gold, used by eye care professionals as a broad based tool for detecting early-onset of eye related diseases such as Dry AMD, has a potential market of over 20,000 clinics in North America . The RHA Platinum MD will further strengthen the value proposition allowing doctors to visualize choroidal and retinal vasculature non-invasively. The RHA Platinum MD has global market potential of more than 100,000 Ophthalmologists
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