Intracoronary optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging technique that captures detailed views of the coronary arteries, enabling early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures. However, interpreting OCT data remains complex and time-consuming, making it an ideal candidate for AI innovation.
Octiocor Ltd, founded by Prof. Martin Bennett and Dr. Mike Roberts from the University of Cambridge, have developed AutoOCT, a novel, fully automated AI, neural network-based image analysis system to identify and measure atherosclerosis from OCT images.
The Technology
OCT generates huge image datasets that currently have to be interpretated manually, either by cardiologists using OCT to treat patients or by core reference laboratories for drug/medtech studies. Interpretation is laborious and can be affected by variability between analysts. AutoOCT provides fast, accurate, automated analysis of OCT images. This is achieved by automating artefact detection and lumen measurements, helping to identify artery features and plaque composition, so facilitating disease identification and helping to stratify coronary artery disease patients for precision therapies.
In addition to its clinical usage, AutoOCT also provides a cost-effective and efficient method as a research tool in clinical trials of both pharma or medtech innovations.
Impact
Octiocor engaged HTE to deliver market access work, including reimbursement options and routes to market, together with an independent health economic assessment of the costs associated within a specific NHS care pathway.
We developed an NHS procurement guide for intravascular imaging devices in PCI procedures. Additionally, we generated and delivered a reimbursement guide for the US, which included a review of optimal payers, clinical codes, coverage and payment rates for similar products/procedures.
Finally, to help clarify commercial opportunities in the clinical trial market, we conducted interviews with stakeholders in a key segment of the clinical trial market to help determine the market size and validate the market opportunity.
Outcomes
The insights revealed by HTE’s research enabled the team at Octiocor to further refine their value proposition, focus their commercial vision, review the scale of opportunities in additional market sectors and attract additional investment into the company.
We were very impressed with the work done by HTE, covering access to markets, procurement and reimbursement in the USA and UK, health economic analysis, and in-depth interviews with KOLs and potential customers. We’ve used their work as a foundation for inward investments and for getting to market. Professor Martin R Bennett, Founder & CMO/CSO Octiocor Ltd. Chair of Cardiovascular Sciences at the University of Cambridge.
