The Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology, today announced $380,000 in funding for Sparrow BioAcoustics Inc. to support the completion of its final proof of concept for its digital stethoscope phone app.
The company’s app, called Stethophone, turns any smartphone into a medical-grade cardiac scanner, thereby enabling fast, convenient and effective early detection of common cardiac diseases. The app is approved for use by both doctors and the public in Canada and the U.S., which represents an industry first for smartphone stethoscope products, and is currently available for use in Apple smartphones.
Sparrow BioAcoustics has used tens of thousands of cardiac audio recordings to develop machine learning and AI models with the goal of providing diagnostic levels of accuracy acceptable to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This project will support the development of more advanced AI that can be incorporated into the Stethophone app to enhance its functionality and provide sufficient medical accuracy to have the app cleared by the FDA as a Class II medical device. This proposal also incorporates a clinical study in the U.S. on up to 120 subjects.
Two new full-time positions will be created because of this project. Provided the FDA approves Class II medical device status, Sparrow BioAcoustics will work towards full commercialization of the software as an over-the-counter app on the Apple App Store and Android Marketplace. The Provincial Government’s investment helps to leverage a $349,000 investment from Sparrow BioAcoustics and a $500,000 investment from ACOA for total project funding of $1,229,000.
The Department of Industry, Energy and Technology offers programs to support research and development projects for both commercial and non-commercial applicants. These programs help de-risk projects with commercial potential, and support the development of highly qualified people, research, innovative programming, and infrastructure that have the potential to strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador’s research and development capacity.
Quotes
“Sparrow BioAcoustics is another in a growing series of health tech success stories, and further shows that important and impactful health innovations are being launched from here in our province with increasing frequency. Our department is pleased to support work that will put an advanced and much-needed cardiac diagnostic tool in the palm of the hand of anyone with a smartphone.”
Honourable Andrew Parsons, KC
Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
“Sparrow BioAcoustics is doing amazing work in the fight against heart disease right here in Newfoundland and Labrador. With tech like their Stethophone, they are making it easier for folks to access quality heart care in their own homes.”
Honourable Gudie Hutchings
Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Investing in research and development projects in health care can be instrumental in helping people live a healthy, active lifestyle which aligns with the Health Accord’s recommendations.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Having the provincial government support new and innovative businesses is a hallmark of this administration. I offer my congratulations and best wishes to this local company for their success to date here in the province and as it extends it business across the country.”
Honourable John G. Abbott
MHA for District of St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi
“Early detection leads to faster and better care. Our mission is to help millions of people by making cardiac screening accessible to everyone, everywhere, whenever they need it. It’s a problem worth solving and support here will make a huge impact.”
Mark Attila Opauszky
CEO, Sparrow BioAcoustics
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