Clinical Validation
Professor Sally Collins and colleagues in the NDWRH’s Placenta Imaging Research Group have worked for 17 years, to develop the technology including validating the initial maternity product in over 7,500 pregnancies. This novel tool addresses a long-standing challenge in clinical medicine: the ability to measure organ perfusion safely, affordably, and at scale.
This work was supported by the Translational Research Office (TRO), which enabled early-stage de-risking and proof-of-concept development and supported Professor Collins in securing translational funding through a range of external funding applications.
The first product is aimed at improving maternity care. The AI-based technology, the OxNNet Toolkit, is able to automatically segment the first trimester (11 to 14 weeks) placenta from a 3D ultrasound scan, measure its perfusion, and tell if this placenta is either abnormally small and whether it has a poor blood supply; early biomarkers for the later development of fetal growth restriction and pre-eclampsia.
Why Perfusion Matters in Pregnancy
During early pregnancy (11-14 weeks'), placental perfusion is a vital indicator of whether the placenta will function adequately to support healthy fetal growth. When these early measurements are abnormal, it can predict various adverse outcomes occurring later in the pregnancy, including; fetal growth restriction, stillbirth and pre-eclampsia.
Despite its importance, organ perfusion has historically been very difficult to measure as it requires expensive imaging equipment and the injection of special dyes or radioactive markers into the body. This carry risks for both mother and baby, so such tests are not performed routinely in pregnancy.
As a result, clinicians have had limited tools to assess which placentas may be at risk of not working well later in pregnancy causing risk to the unborn baby. Ultrasound is safe and widely used in pregnancy. The OxNNet Toolkit, analyses simple ultrasound scans and has the potential to revolutionise how pregnancies are assessed for risk of developing later complications. As it is safe, cheap and fully automated (not dependant on highly specialised scanning skills) it will help to ensure equitable access to high-quality pregnancy care across diverse healthcare environments.
Tissue perfusion is fundamental to understanding organ function and related disease. After years of development at Oxford, we can now give clinicians a safe, robust, low-cost way to measure it, with clearly demonstrated benefits for maternity care and potential utility across many other clinical specialties including oncology, and chronic disease.
- Prof Sally Collins, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer
Significance of Detecting Fetal Growth Restriction
Fetal growth restriction (FGR), is when a baby does not grow as well as it should during pregnancy, it is the greatest single risk for stillbirth. A new screening test using Oxailis' technology could be offered at the routine first trimester ultrasound scan. When the new placental markers generated by the OxNNet Toolkit are added to the currently used clinical risk factors, a markedly improved result for detection of FGR is seen. The two large studies undertaken so far have demonstrated the potential to:
- Double the detection of pregnancies affected by FGR
- Reduce by half the number of women incorrectly classified as high-risk of FGR
- Enable more targeted care while avoiding unnecessary interventions
Earlier and more accurate identification allows clinicians to monitor at-risk pregnancies more closely and intervene at the right time, improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.
Our mission is to make high-precision diagnostics universally accessible, not confined to the best-resourced hospitals. By building on the ubiquity of ultrasound, we can deliver meaningful health impact at global scale.
- Dr Basak Yakis-Douglas, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer
The Future Outlook for Oxailis
The initial clinical focus is early identification of fetal growth restriction (FGR). However, the new technology has scope for use in a variety of healthcare contexts beyond obstetrics. Tissue perfusion measurement is relevant to a wide range of conditions where changes in blood flow signal disease, including cancer, kidney disease, and other chronic illnesses. Oxailis aims to expand clinical applications as the technology progresses through regulatory approval and global deployment.
Oxailis is a great example of how world-leading knowledge and research from the University combined with clinical expertise can potentially have huge impact. Over several years, OUI has worked closely with the team to protect and develop the underlying intellectual property, provide and enable access to translational funding, and connect the company with investors, experienced leaders and specialist support.
- Steve Silvey, Deputy Head of Licensing and Ventures for Life Sciences at Oxford University Innovation (OUI)
Partnerships
Oxailis was formed with support from Oxford University Innovation, the University’s research commercialisation office, and has been supported by funding from organisations including the NIH, NIHR, and the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust. The company is now progressing through regulatory approval, expanding clinical collaborations, and working with imaging partners to support scalable global implementation.
The Translational Research Office (TRO) supported the early stage de-risking and proof of concept work for the technology and supported in successfully acquiring translational funding income via various external bid writing applications.
For more information, please visit https://www.oxailis.com