NIH-led COVID research effort taps AI startup schooled in synthetic health data
The NIH, FDA and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are working with a San Francisco startup whose calling card is an AI-enabled engine that renders patient data unidentifiable by reproducing it in synthetic versions.
The startup, Syntegra, announced the development Jan. 18.
The parties will collaborate around opening access to EHR data as part of the NIH’s COVID Cohort Collaborative, aka N3C, which is marshaling resources and expertise for researchers studying SARS-CoV-2 and its effects on U.S. healthcare.
Syntegra will have plenty of company, as N3C already has more than 70 public and private partners, according to the announcement.
The company says rapid access to synthetic patient data by physicians, scientists and researchers “will help accelerate and enable key focus areas for the N3C such as disparities (racial and ethnic) in spread and risk, predictors of hospitalization, long-term adverse effects and the impact of COVID-19 on hospitals.”
Syntegra expects the innovative use of synthetic patient data under crisis conditions to enter other areas of medical research after the pandemic is under control.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.