Tag Archives: Alzheimer’s

From Caregiver to Changemaker: Inside the Impact Board with Meryl Comer on Fighting Alzheimer’s

September 12, 2024Business, Health, Innovation, StartupsAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Moonshot, Health Moonshot, Health Moonshot Impact Board, Impact Board, Logan Plaster, Meryl Comer, UsAgainstAlzheimersNicole Kinsey

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This week on StartUp Health NOW, we meet a powerful force in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease: Meryl Comer, a member of our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board.

Driven by personal experience watching her husband battle the disease, Comer transformed from award-winning journalist to passionate advocate. She is the Co-founder & Board Member of UsAgainstAlzheimers; the U.S. Representative for the Global Brain Trust; and Vice-Chair of WHAM (Women’s Health Access Matters).

Hear her story:

Witnessing the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s firsthand
Taking action through co-founding UsAgainstAlzheimers
The critical role of advocacy and policy change
The emotional and physical burden of caregiving

Comer also shares her insights on:

Destigmatizing Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Anchoring innovation in the realities of care
Treating the source of the disease

This episode is a must-listen for anyone affected by Alzheimer’s, passionate about healthcare innovation, or inspired by the power of advocacy.

Are you ready to join a Health Moonshot Community? Members of our Health Moonshot Communities – like our Alzheimer’s Moonshot – are leading startups with breakthrough technology-driven solutions for the world’s biggest health challenges. If you’re mission-driven, collaborative, and ready to contribute as much as you gain, you might be the perfect fit. Learn more and apply today.

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Bridging the Divide: How Mindr Is Bringing Alzheimer’s Research to Life

August 30, 2024Business, Health, Innovation, StartupsAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Moonshot, Health Moonshot, Health Transformer, Health Transformers, Logan Plaster, MindrNicole Kinsey

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Alzheimer’s disease has long been a formidable challenge, but recent scientific breakthroughs offer a glimmer of hope. The FINGER study, a landmark in Alzheimer’s research, demonstrated the power of simple lifestyle changes in preventing cognitive decline. However, translating these findings into practical, everyday strategies has proven elusive.

In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, we explore how Mindr, a pioneering startup in our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community, is bridging the gap between research – the FINGER study – and real-world application in the lives of people at risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia. By leveraging the best of modern consumer tech – like a well designed app on your phone – Mindr aims to make internationally-recognized advances in healthcare accessible to everyone.

This is a story that applies in almost every area of health. We have the information, but we struggle to get it out of the lab, out of the peer reviewed journal, and into everyday life. Mindr’s co-founders Adam Schultz and Ariana Myers explain how they’re attempting to bridge this divide and what it will take to succeed on a bigger scale.

Join us as we discuss the importance of connecting research to practice and how Mindr is empowering individuals to take proactive steps toward a healthier brain.

Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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Old School Tech Makes Big Impact in Cognitive Care: Reporting from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference

August 23, 2024Business, Health, Innovation, StartupsAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Moonshot, Bill Uniowski, Brain health, Caregiving, Dementia, health innovation, Innovation, Logan Plaster, Moneta, Moneta Health, Paul Campbell, ZinniaNicole Kinsey

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This episode of StartUp Health NOW throws out the tech buzzwords and dives into the power of seemingly simple solutions. We meet two innovative founders in our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community who are using familiar technologies – the telephone and television – to tackle major healthcare challenges.

First up, Paul Campbell, CEO & Co-founder of Moneta Health, explains how their evidence-based dementia care program utilizes an “old school meets new school” approach, using AI plus the humble landline to reach a wider audience and overcome tech barriers for patients with early-stage dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Then, Bill Uniowski, CEO & Co-founder of Zinnia, shares how his company is creating smart video content specifically designed for people with advanced dementia, offering a calming and therapeutic experience that reduces the need for medication and improves lives for both patients and caregivers.

Join us for a refreshing look at how low-tech solutions can deliver high-impact healthcare.

Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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An Insider’s Perspective on the Near Future of Alzheimer’s Care

August 9, 2024Business, Health, Innovation, StartupsADDF, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, Alzheimer's Moonshot, Brain health, Health Moonshots, Laura Nisenbaum, Logan PlasterNicole Kinsey

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“Academia is a great area and fosters innovation, but then taking that science and translating it into something that can actually impact human health has a number of challenges. So trying to understand what those barriers are and how we can help bridge them is something that we have been able to do at ADDF and in collaboration with StartUp Health.”

In this episode of StartUp Health NOW, we chat with Laura Nisenbaum, PhD, Executive Director of Drug Development at the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF). Organizations like ADDF are working to translate scientific research into real patient impact, particularly in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, by funding innovative ventures and supporting startups in the biotech space. Dr. Nisenbaum talks with us about new Alzheimer’s tests and therapeutics and pulls back the curtain on how ADDF supports startups.

Key Insights:

We are at a tipping point in Alzheimer’s. Our ability to predict and detect – and then treat – Alzheimer’s disease is growing faster than ever.
Dr. Laura Nisenbaum was involved in the launch of StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot, a collaboration with The Gates Foundation and ADDF, which is important for advancing research in the field of Alzheimer’s disease.
Academia fosters innovation, but translating scientific work into real patient impact poses challenges that need to be understood and bridged.
Venture philanthropy model enables funding for innovators who may not receive funding from for-profit companies, allowing for more risky endeavors.
The Diagnostics Accelerator challenges the research community to develop cutting-edge biomarkers and explore novel diagnostic technologies that will aid in Alzheimer’s diagnosis and clinical trial design.
The potential for AI to revolutionize Alzheimer’s research and diagnosis is evident in the funding and support for innovative companies in the field.
Focusing on the biology of aging, including inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction, could be key in developing novel therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.
The field of Alzheimer’s research and care is at an amazing point with the first demonstration of some efficacy for drugs and a huge innovation curve from a biomarkers and diagnostics perspective.
We can now detect amyloid in the brain through blood tests, marking an amazing point of innovation in the field of Alzheimer’s research.
Pursue innovative ideas with great gusto and perseverance, and take advantage of the incredible network of mentors and collaborators to thrive in the biotech and startup space.
The momentum is building in the field of Alzheimer’s research, thanks to the support from organizations like ADDF.

Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot

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How AI Is Creating an Inflection Point in Brain Health Innovation: Reporting from the AAIC

August 1, 2024Business, Health, Innovation, StartupsAAIC, AI, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Moonshot, artificial intelligence, Brain health, Health Moonshot, Health Transformer, Health Transformers, Logan Plaster, RetiSpec, SinapticaNicole Kinsey

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Join StartUp Health NOW for a powerful episode recorded live at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC)! We explore the exciting inflection point in Alzheimer’s research fueled by AI and machine learning.

Hear directly from passionate founders in the StartUp Health Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community:

Catherine Bornbaum, PhD, CBO at RetiSpec, fresh off the company’s $10M Series A, unveils a groundbreaking AI-powered device that analyzes the retina for insights into brain health.
Ken Mariash, CEO of Sinaptica Therapeutics, discusses using AI and neuromodulation to potentially slow Alzheimer’s and strengthen brain function in healthy individuals.

Discover:

How AI is unlocking a multi-modal understanding of the brain
The potential for revolutionizing treatment for all brain conditions
The cutting-edge technologies shaping the future of Alzheimer’s research

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about brain health and the fight against Alzheimer’s!

Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot

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Gates Ventures’ Aishu Sukumar Is Fostering Collaboration on StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board

June 7, 2024Business, Health, InnovationAishu Sukumar, Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's Moonshot, Brain health, Gates Ventures, Health Moonshot, Health Moonshot Impact Board, Impact Board, Innovation, Logan PlasterNicole Kinsey

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Breaking Down Silos for Alzheimer’s Innovation: A Conversation with Aishu Sukumar of Gates Ventures

This episode of StartUp Health NOW welcomes Aishu Sukumar of Gates Ventures in another in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board.

A champion for collaboration: Explore Sukumar’s vision for leveraging data and fostering collaboration among Alzheimer’s innovators.
From research scientist to moonshot leader: Discover Sukumar’s unique career path that bridges science, business, and healthcare, taking her from Harvard Medical School and Berkeley to working at startups and then to Gates Ventures.
The power of a Health Moonshot Community: Learn how this initiative is uniting innovators to accelerate progress against Alzheimer’s.

This episode is for you if:

You’re passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s.
You believe in the power of collaboration in tackling complex challenges.
You’re curious about the journeys of inspiring healthcare leaders.

Want even more about Alzheimer’s disease innovation?

Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot
Meet the first companies to join the Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community
Meet Phyllis Ferrell, Chief Impact Officer for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot

Join us as we explore how Aishu Sukumar’s diverse background is shaping the future of Alzheimer’s research as a member of our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board.

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Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot

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Why Dr. Craig Ritchie Brings Optimism to StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board

May 30, 2024Health, Innovation, Startups, UncategorizedAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Moonshot, Craig Ritchie, health innovation, Health Moonshot, Health Moonshot Impact Board, Impact Board, Innovation, Logan Plaster, Scottish Brain SciencesNicole Kinsey

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:23 — 47.2MB)

This episode of StartUp Health NOW challenges your perception of Alzheimer’s in another in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board. This week’s guest is Craig Ritchie, MD, PhD, CEO & Founder of Scottish Brain Sciences and a Professor at University of St. Andrews.

A new view of Alzheimer’s: Discover the distinction between what Dr. Ritchie calls Alzheimer’s disease vs Alzheimer’s dementia.
The invisible threat: Learn how Alzheimer’s can exist without noticeable symptoms, impacting younger individuals.
Shifting the research focus: Explore the importance of studying pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s for effective treatment.
Unleashing innovation: Gain insights into Dr. Ritchie’s optimism for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community.

This episode is for you if:

You’re interested in the latest Alzheimer’s research.
You want to understand the different stages of Alzheimer’s.
You’re curious about the power of collaboration in tackling Alzheimer’s.

Want even more about Alzheimer’s disease innovation?

Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot
Meet the first companies to join the Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community.
Meet Phyllis Ferrell, Chief Impact Officer for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot

Join us as we redefine Alzheimer’s and ignite hope for a future free from dementia!

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Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot

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Gates Ventures’ Kristina Malzbender Joins Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board

May 23, 2024Business, Health, Innovation, StartupsAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Moonshot, Brain health, Gates Ventures, Health Moonshot, Health Moonshot Impact Board, Impact Board, Innovation, Kristina Malzbender, Logan PlasterNicole Kinsey

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:04 — 32.2MB)

Hope on the Horizon: A New Era of Alzheimer’s Innovation

This episode of StartUp Health NOW dives deep into the fight against Alzheimer’s disease in the second in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board. Join us as we chat with Kristina Malzbender, the Associate Director, Health & Life Sciences, at Gates Ventures. Hear from this key leader about the concrete realities behind the optimism in Alzheimer’s innovation.

A century of relentless pursuit: Learn how the tide is turning after decades of dedicated research.
Early detection, slowed progression, and even potential cures: Explore exciting advancements in Alzheimer’s treatment.
Gates Ventures and the Diagnostic Accelerator (DxA): Find out how Gates Ventures and the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) are supporting companies and academic researchers developing novel biomarkers and diagnostics for Alzheimer’s.
Introducing StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot: Discover a powerful collaboration aimed at accelerating progress

This episode is for you if:

You’re passionate about Alzheimer’s disease.
You’re curious about the latest advancements in dementia research.
You want to learn how you can contribute to the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Want even more about Alzheimer’s disease innovation?

Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot
Meet the first companies to join the Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community.
Meet Phyllis Ferrell, Chief Impact Officer for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot

Join us as we ignite hope for the future of Alzheimer’s innovation!

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Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot

Funders: Become a Health Moonshot Champion

Phyllis Ferrell Named Chief Impact Officer for StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot

February 2, 2024Business, Health, Innovation, StartupsAlzheimer's, Alzheimer's Moonshot, Brain health, Dementia, Health Moonshot, Health Moonshots, Logan Plaster, Phyllis Ferrell, StartUp HealthNicole Kinsey

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (38.2MB)

In January, StartUp Health launched the Alzheimer’s Moonshot with support from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and Gates Ventures. The Alzheimer’s Moonshot is an invitation to Health Transformers, Alzheimer’s funders, foundations, advocates, and innovators, as well as leading startups and research teams, to unite in pioneering comprehensive, collaborative approaches to Alzheimer’s disease.

The Alzheimer’s Moonshot Community is powered by StartUp Health and our Health Transformer University, an entrepreneurial mastery program and lifelong learning community for ambitious founders and funders who are solving the biggest health challenges of our time.

That brings us to our podcast guest this week. Phyllis Ferrell, DrPH, will serve as the Chief Impact Officer of the Alzheimer’s Moonshot and lead its Impact Board. Ferrell has three decades of related experience, most recently serving as the Global Head of Alzheimer’s and Neurodegeneration at Eli Lilly and Strategic Advisor to the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative. The Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board will also include representatives from the ADDF, Gates Ventures, and a diverse group of stakeholders from industry, clinical medicine, academia, investment and patient and caregiver communities.

As we will discuss in the episode, shortly after Ferrell transferred from a marketing and sales role at Lilly to leading their Alzheimer’s division, her father was diagnosed with the devastating disease. She threw herself into the work and eventually became a leading voice in Alzheimer’s research and drug development. She’s served as a strategic advisor to multiple high-profile Alzheimer’s organizations, and now she’s marshaling her experience to lead StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot. We caught up with her to get a better understanding of where she sees this initiative going and why this is such a unique moment in time for Alzheimer’s innovation.

Enjoy the episode and then learn more about StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot at startuphealth.com/alzheimers.

Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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Virtual Reality for Brain Health: Virtuleap’s New Platform Uses VR to Detect Cognitive Decline Early

September 28, 2023Business, Health, Innovation, StartupsAlzheimer's, Amir Bozorgzadeh, Brain health, Dementia, Health Moonshot, Health Transformer, Healthy Longevity, Innovation, Logan Plaster, Neuroscience, Virtual Reality, Virtuleap, VRNicole Kinsey

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:47 — 27.2MB)

Our StartUp Health NOW guest this week is Amir Bozorgzadeh, CEO & Co-founder of Virtuleap, a brain health company that joined StartUp Health in 2019.

Headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, and expanding to Barcelona, Spain, Virtuleap improves brain health with VR. In this chat, Amir will walk us through their new platform – Cogniclear VR – that combines neuroscience with virtual reality games and activities to detect cognitive disorders. He’ll explain how VR can play an important role in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, why VR needs to be applied with care in health, and where virtual reality is going next.

Enjoy!

Innovators: Health Transformer University fuels your health moonshot

Funders: Become a Health Moonshot Champion
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