The rapid technological development in medical imaging, the use of artificial intelligence and a wide range of corresponding tools on the market make the annual MIB event at the UKB a popular networking platform for both researchers and industry. Once again, the organizers of the MIB Future Panel 2023 impressed the participants with a multifaceted program that included current trends, best practice examples and research results as well as an exciting pitch competition for nine start-ups.
The use of AI in medical imaging is already one of the dominant topics in research, but also in clinical practice. Where do we stand - and what are the prospects? In four sessions, renowned experts from four different medical fields presented examples of applications and the current state of research. The latest imaging techniques in rheumatology, prenatal and nuclear medicine, AI trends in neuroradiology and ophthalmology - the areas of application for AI range from the lightning-fast processing of an ever-increasing volume of complex data to simpler data interpretation for more reliable diagnostics.
Prof. Frank Holz, Director of the Eye Clinic at the UKB and founder and spokesperson for the MIB, comments: "Individualized medicine is on the rise, which means that doctors and researchers are dealing with an ever-increasing volume of data. We rely on AI-supported systems to process the data in the best possible way and use it to develop customized diagnostics and therapies. We are delighted that the MIB can make its combined expertise in medical imaging available to all interested parties. The associated networking platform MIB Future Panel is an excellent place for exchange, creativity and cooperation, which promotes research in Bonn and provides valuable incentives for industry and, above all, start-ups."
This is what the event participants learned at the 2nd Medical Pitch Contest of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bonn. Nine teams presented their innovative ideas to a top-class jury in five-minute pitches. The jury, consisting of Dr. Laura Pedroza (Investment Manager, Hightech Gründerfonds), Dr. Christopher Jahn (Investment Manager, TechVision Fonds), Maximilian Erb (VC Department, NRW.Bank) and Dr. Alexander Zink (Head of Technology & Innovation, Xlife Sciences), gave the researchers valuable feedback. The first three teams were awarded prize money totaling 60,000 euros. And this time there were even two first-place winners, who each received prize money of 25,000 euros. Coldex impressed the jury and the public with an innovative approach to fighting viruses using an immune-boosting nasal spray. The start-up EpiTher is dedicated to the development of new drugs for epilepsy. The third-placed team, deyond, received 10,000 euros for its project on trust models for medical data.
Prof. Bernd Weber, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bonn, adds: "The Medical Pitch Contest demonstrates the enormous innovation potential of our location.
Through the structures and strategies we have created in the field of technology transfer, we want to reduce as far as possible the obstacles that exist to the efficient and rapid translation of scientific findings into application for the benefit of patients. I think we have seen exciting approaches today that will contribute to improved diagnostics and therapies."
Prof. Wolfgang Holzgreve, Medical Director and CEO of the UKB, sees the MIB Competence Center in a pioneering role: "The MIB Future Panel shows once again that the need for exchange and information in imaging medicine is very high. This makes the MIB's function as a competent contact for science and industry all the more important to master the challenges of digitalization together."
The event was partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
