Ultrasound Scanners Deployed to Canadian Rheumatologists through Clarus Mobile Health and Novartis Partnership

Vancouver-based healthtech startup Clarius Mobile Health has partnered with the Canadian division of Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis to deploy its handheld ultrasound device to Canadian rheumatologists to support the early detection of psoriatic arthritis.

This partnership is a significant step forward in the fight against psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints, skin, and nails. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment and can help prevent long-term damage to the joints.

Clarius' handheld ultrasound device is a portable, affordable, and easy-to-use tool that can be used in a variety of settings, including the doctor's office, the clinic, and even the patient's home. This makes it possible for rheumatologists to perform ultrasound exams on more patients, more often, and in a more convenient manner.

Clarius said in a statement that the partnership is aimed at increasing access to ultrasound devices and training and improving outcomes for patients living with psoriatic arthritis. The condition affects some people who have psoriasis, a disease that causes red patches of skin. According to Clarius, this illness affects approximately 300,000 Canadians.

We are honoured to collaborate with Novartis Canada on this innovative, focused approach to improving the care of patients suffering from this debilitating disease,” Clarius president and CEO Ohad Arazi said in a statement.

This partnership is a significant step forward in the fight against psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints, skin, and nails. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment and can help prevent long-term damage to the joints.

Clarius said its L15 HD3 scanner was selected for this commercial deployment, due to its ability to automatically provide detailed ultrasound images of superficial anatomy. According to a report from The Globe and Mail, Novartis will lease and distribute up to 400 of Clarius's machines as part of the deal. The pharma company will also fund related software and training for doctors to use the devices until 2026, per The Globe.

The Clarius L15 HD3 scanner is a high-definition ultrasound scanner that is specifically designed for musculoskeletal imaging. It is portable, affordable, and easy to use, making it an ideal tool for rheumatologists who need to perform ultrasound exams on patients in a variety of settings.

At Novartis, we recognize the tremendous potential AI holds for our industry and the healthcare landscape at large,” said Mark Vineis, Country President at Novartis Canada. “The partnership with Clarius has the potential to transform [psoriatic arthritis] detection, with the possibility of scaling to other immunology indications, across specialties and beyond Canada.”

Clarius' handheld ultrasound scanners are portable, affordable, and easy to use, making them an ideal tool for healthcare practitioners who need to perform ultrasound exams on patients in a variety of settings. The scanners are also wireless, which gives practitioners the freedom to move around and interact with patients during exams.

Clarius' AI-powered software is designed to make ultrasound exams faster, easier, and more accurate. The software can automatically identify and label anatomical structures, which can save practitioners time and reduce the risk of errors. The software can also monitor heart rates in real-time, which can be useful for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular conditions.