Challenge Owner(s) | Novartis |
---|---|
Organiser(s) | SGInnovate |
Industry Type(s) |
Digital/ICT, Healthcare & Biomedical
|
Opportunities and Support | Opportunities to connect and collaborate with open innovation leaders in Singapore and the region |
Application Start Date | 1 November 2021 |
Application End Date | 3 January 2022 |
Website | Click here to learn more |
About Challenge
Novartis wants to identify ways to accelerate the diagnosis of patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and facilitate clinical decision support. Axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) is a chronic inflammatory spinal disease and includes nr-axSpA and ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
Patients with AS have structural damage in the sacroiliac joints and/or the spine that is visible on X-rays. Patients with nr-axSpA do not have features of sacroiliitis that are visible on X-rays but have a disease burden comparable to that of patients with AS, including inflammatory back pain (IBP; predominantly in the pelvis and lower back), morning stiffness, nocturnal awakening, fatigue, and reduced spinal mobility.
The prevalence of nr-axSpA is reported to be ~0.1% – 0.4% in the general population, more prevalent in women, and ~16% – 37% in patients with IBP.
Early diagnosis of nr-axSpA is vital for symptom/disease management and to potentially limit spinal damage. However, diagnostic delays of nr-axSpA are common due to the non-radiographic nature of the disease and the need for a more expensive and less accessible (to patients) imaging modality – magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Hence we are looking for an advanced technological solution that utilises conventional X-rays to predict sacroiliitis and negates the need for an MRI. Ultimately, this approach may facilitate earlier nr-axSpA diagnosis and treatment for patients.
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