BrightHeart, a Paris-based medical technology company developing artificial intelligence software focused on improving the detection of congenital heart defects in foetuses, has raised €2 million in seed financing from Sofinnova Partners, a European life sciences venture capital firm based in Paris, London, and Milan.
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AI foetus concept
The funds are being deployed to bolster the development of the BrightHeart technology, prepare its regulatory submission(s), and facilitate the company’s expansion.
Combined with access to a proprietary database of more than 20,000 foetal ultrasound exams, BrightHeart’s technology leverages AI and top-level expertise in foetal ultrasound cardiac imaging to help caregivers improve the detection of complex foetal heart defects in utero, during an ultrasound screening exam, when early interventions could either correct them or greatly improve a child's chance of survival. This is the fourth investment by Sofinnova's medtech acceleration fund, Sofinnova MD Start III.
Cécile Dupont, BrightHeart’s chief executive officer and Partner at Sofinnova Partners, said: "Foetal ultrasound screening of the heart is universally recommended during pregnancy. Prenatal diagnosis of foetal heart defects can significantly improve newborn outcomes, but in practice, as few as 30% are detected. BrightHeart’s unique, AI-powered approach has the potential to revolutionise screening for congenital heart defects by supporting clinicians with a real-time, expert-level interpretation of one of the most complex exams in the ultrasound practice.”
BrightHeart has already brought together an experienced team in the fields of foetal cardiology, AI, and software development. This group is led by chief technology officer Christophe Gardella, an accomplished data scientist and leader with extensive experience in the development of AI-powered medtech solutions who directed the algorithm efforts at Cardiologs.
Inspired by the company’s mission, the multidisciplinary team has made remarkable progress. Just a few months after its inception, the company is already finalising a first version of its software, filed multiple patent applications in Europe and the U.S., engaged with regulatory authorities, and is actively working on the preparation of regulatory submissions for its first product in key geographies.
BrightHeart builds on an idea by Dr. Marilyne Levy and Dr. Bertand Stos, BrightHeart co-founders, foetal cardiologists, and leading experts in the sector. They bring a world-class expertise to the project as well as a large, qualified database of foetal heart ultrasound exams.
In a joint statement, Drs. Levy and Stos said: “BrightHeart's innovative approach addresses a major critical need. We are thrilled to count on operational, strategic, and financial support from Sofinnova MD Start III in this important commitment to accelerate the deployment of our technology in the clinic, and to improve maternal and foetal health.”
