Disruptors of 2018

Disruptive Innovation is a term that was coined in the 1990s by Clayton Christensen, Harvard Business School Professor. The theory of disruptive innovation has proved to be a powerful way of thinking about innovation-driven growth.

Here we take a look at some of the disruptive innovators of health and social care in 2018…

BetterHelp

Mental health is a huge market and BetterHelp is making professional counselling accessible, affordable and convenient. BetterHelp offers access to licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited psychologists, marriage and family therapists and clinical social workers – the world’s largest e-counseling platform. This relatively new start up already has more than 2 million clients.

Seek

Seek Ltd. engages in the business of providing online employment classifieds and education and training services: Seek Employment and Seek Learning. It operates in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and provides advice on changing workforce and recruitment needs. In a time when people are living longer and presenting with multiple clinical issues, Seek is disrupting the breadth of health care by delivering data on workforce fluidity and soft skills.

Data61

In a world with increasing penetration of digital systems against a backdrop of an ageing population, Data61 is focusing on systems with increased trust and resilience. It’s the digital innovation arm of Australia’s national science agency and a world leader in data science research and engineering. Its mission is to create Australia’s data-driven future, believing firmly that Australia can lead the world in change.

HealX

HealX develops drugs and treatment for rare diseases using artificial intelligence. It examines the current universe of existing drugs in order to repurpose them for curing rare diseases. The technology Healx employs has already proven successful – allowing them to develop a drug for Fragile-X in less than 18 months and making it ready for clinical trials in record time. In one specific instance, it took Healx 80% less time to get to human trials than the average drug manufacturer, making Healx one of the most innovative healthcare startups today.

Basil Leaf Technologies

Using a device that resembles the diagnostic tool used on Star Trek, DxtER from Basil Leaf Technologies can diagnose individuals from the comfort of home. Smart sensors track vitals and body chemistry to accurately diagnose 34 health conditions, more than double that of the closest competitor. DxtER is currently being prepared for FDA approval and is expected to sell for less than $200 when it reaches market shelves. Plans are in the works to double the number of diseases and conditions the tricorder recognises.

Babylon Health

Currently available in the UK and Rwanda only (but with plans to roll out globally), Babylon Health is a subscription service that allows users virtual access to high-ranking specialists. Subscribers can contact doctors and other medical professionals via video messaging and text for virtual consultations on all medical concerns. Patients then rate each interaction to maintain quality of service.

Dexcom

Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring develops, manufactures and distributes glucose monitoring systems (CGM) for diabetes management. With Dexcom G5 Mobile, there is a reduced need for confirmatory fingersticks, with a small sensor measuring glucose levels just underneath the skin. Users view their glucose trends in vivid colours to know when it’s high, low or within range. Dexcom’s full-year sales guidance was $925 million and next year’s sales growth could be as high as 85%.

M3 Medical

M3 Inc engages in the provision of medical related services by maximising the Internet. It stands for Medicine, Media and Metamorphosis. Based in Japan, M3 offers healthcare professionals specialised site services that include marketing support and research. Their Clinical Platform segment engages in the development, sale and support of electronic medical records and it’s rated a company to watch in 2019.

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