April 20, 2017
Fortune
“What if AI and deep learning could help doctors figure out a patient’s disease simply by analyzing a face—no scans or testing required? That’s precisely what Boston-based startup FDNA is trying to achieve with its Face2Gene platform. The firm has put together a photo database of people with more than 2,000 rare genetic diseases. Doctors can snap pictures of their patients and upload them to FDNA’s mobile app, which then spits out a list of disorders they might have by analyzing telltale facial features associated with those conditions (the tech is not a diagnostic tool, but rather a way to narrow down the list of possible genetic suspects). And the company hopes the system can drastically improve the “diagnostic journeys” that those with rare diseases typically face: Such patients, on average, are seen by seven doctors before the correct diagnosis is made.”
The Fortune article “Digital Health Care Revolution” highlights the transformative impact of digital health care, with a focus on FDNA. FDNA’s innovative AI-powered diagnostic technologies, particularly their facial recognition software Face2Gene, are revolutionizing medical diagnostics by analyzing patient photos to identify rare genetic disorders. This advancement enables faster, more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans, especially in areas lacking specialized genetic services. As digital health care advances, FDNA stands out for its contributions to improving patient outcomes and streamlining medical processes. The article emphasizes how digital decision support tools like FDNA are integral to the evolving landscape of health care.