Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc. (AC Health), through its technology arm, Vigos, expanded its digital portfolio with a recent investment in Fibronostics, a global US-based healthcare technology company focusing on non-invasive algorithm-based solutions for diagnostic testing.
The agreement was signed by AC Health President and CEO, Paolo Borromeo, AC Health Chief Digital Officer, Christian Besler, and SPRIM Ventures Managing Partner, Dr. Michael Shleifer last May 31, 2019. SPRIM is the bioscience R&D firm from which Fibronostics was spun off.
Founded in 2015, Fibronostics aims to improve screening, follow-up, and diagnosis through non-invasive products. Key focus areas include prevalent chronic conditions such as liver disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and obstructive sleep apnea.
“This investment fits well into our Vigos health technology portfolio, which we are proud to say is the first digital health portfolio in the Philippines. We are always on the lookout for technology solutions that empower our doctors and improve quality for our patients,” said Borromeo.
(L-R): Christian Besler, AC Health Chief Digital Officer; Josette Abarca, AC Health Chief Finance Officer; Paolo Borromeo, AC Health CEO and President; Michael Shleifer, SPRIM Ventures Managing Partner; Bruno de Pampelonne, Tikehau IM CEO; Dr. Ronald Quiambao, SPRIM Philippines Regional Medical Director; and Lorra Dela Paz, AC Health Strategy and Business Development.
As part of the partnership, AC Health will launch two Fibronostics products, LiverFAST and HealthFACTR, in its FamilyDOC clinics. LiverFAST is a proprietary algorithm that analyzes 10 biomarkers from a blood sample to help screen and monitor common liver diseases. The test is intended to be a simple and less expensive option to other diagnostics, such as liver biopsy or liver imaging. HealthFACTR, on the other hand, is as a 10-minute metabolic health check-up solution that provides immediate risk assessment and personalized recommendations, based on the latest medical guidelines.
“We believe LiverFAST and HealthFACTR can help make diagnostic tests more meaningful for patients and doctors. These algorithms are excellent examples of how we can harness healthcare data and analytics to improve clinical decision-making,” Besler added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Shleifer believes that the partnership would encourage more patients to appreciate the value of screening and preventive health.
“We are very excited to collaborate with AC Health. Through their network of FamilyDOC clinics, we hope to reach many more patients in the Philippines, where the burden of chronic diseases has been growing. Ultimately, our goal is to screen patients early so that they can work in partnership with their doctors to maintain good health and prevent complications,” shared Dr. Shleifer.
Vigos also has investments in MedGrocer (a technology-enabled medicine-as-a-service for companies and drug manufacturers), AIDE (a home healthcare mobile platform), and Tikehau-SPRIM (a Singapore-based health fund). It has also built its own suite of health technology products including VigosEMR, an Electronic Medical Records and Clinic Information System, which is being used across all FamilyDOC clinics, and Vigos CARE, an integrated corporate health solutions platform allowing companies and employees to maximize their health benefits.
