All 20 finalists will be showcased in a digital exhibition with the winners being announced at an awards ceremony to be held at BAFTA on April 25, 2016. The digital exhibition brings together the best submissions and presents them in an engaging and accessible way to give consumers an insight into this rapidly evolving and increasingly important field.
Three of this year's finalists are based in Cambridge-
- Activ8rlives (BuddyWOTCH): A smartwatch device that solves known problems of continuous monitoring of oxygen levels in COPD patients by motivating physical activity and recording medication, food and liquid intake. BuddyWOTCH (Walking Oxygen Temperature Camera Heartrate) accurately forewarns respiratory failure by allowing patients and their families to self-manage their condition at home. It is supported by consumer health monitoring devices and apps. (www.activ8rlives.com)
- PsyOmics: A biotech company that is working in collaboration with the Cambridge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Research (CCNR) to deliver improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric conditions. The main aims are to improve treatment by providing contract research services to support clinical trials for psychiatric treatment, improve diagnosis by developing clinical diagnostics and improve prevention by providing quantified health solutions that are accessible to everyone; empowering people to understand and improve their own wellbeing and mental health. (www.psyomics.com)
- Dr Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, CEO, Patients Know Best: Patients Know Best is designed to empower patients to manage their care and to help clinicians to share information and engage with patients in new and powerful ways. It is an integrated patient portal and information exchange system, being deployed in over 200 sites across eight countries, translated into 14 languages. Patients Know Best is a social enterprise putting patients in control of their medical records. (www.patientsknowbest.com)
Now in its second year, the AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards is a joint initiative led by AXA PPP healthcare with think tank 2020health and the Design Museum. It aims to guide and grow the conversation about health tech, empowering people everywhere to use technology to lead healthier lives and be more in control of their health and wellbeing.
The successful shortlist of entries that will form part of the digital exhibition includes:
- An intelligent search platform to allow healthcare providers to engage patients with food allergies or intolerances to support them with diet and nutrition choices
- A medical spray delivery device that aims to enhance the quality of life for people with arthritis, joint pain and limited dexterity
- Software that powers smart glasses to translate visual information into audio in real time and act as a guide for those with visual impairments
Representatives from the AXA PPP Health Tech & You partners evaluated every entry to select the shortlist of three per category. Seven prestigious judging panels, consisting of 25 leading industry figures from healthcare, design, technology and the media will then decide each category winner.
James Freeston, Marketing Director, AXA PPP healthcare, states: “After such a successful inaugural year, we are delighted with the response to the second AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards. The sheer increase in volume from last year and the high quality of entries really is a true testament to the innovative projects currently being developed and launched by so many individuals and companies in the health tech space.
On behalf of our partners, we would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter. We congratulate those who have been shortlisted on this great achievement and look forward to applauding the winners at the Awards ceremony in April.”
Critiquing nearly 200 entries proved a challenging task given the high standard of entries.Julia Manning, Chief Executive of 2020healthcomments: “Last year the submissions were of a very high calibre, which has continued and increased in this our second year of the Awards. We are really excited at being able to share cutting edge innovation and publicise these leading organisations and inspiring individuals utilising health technologies. Sustainable health will depend on consumers and providers embracing the opportunities that digital health tech offers.”
Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum, adds:“We are in the midst of a revolution in how people understand their health. Rapid developments in applying technology to health is challenging designers and healthcare professionals to understand how best to make use of the opportunities for everyone to monitor, improve and understand their own health. This is a strong shortlist that demonstrates the many different ways that this rapidly growing field is developing. It’s a fascinating insight into what happens next in this vitally important field.”
The winners of the AXA PPP Health Tech & You Awards will be announced on April 25, 2016. For more information on this year’s finalists, judges and activities, visit www.healthtechandyou.com