Introduction

HemaChrome LLC, an innovative Purdue University startup, is teaming up with Global Health Labs (GH Labs) to enhance its groundbreaking mobile health technology, which allows noninvasive, affordable testing of blood hemoglobin levels. Utilizing the smartphone camera and cutting-edge machine learning algorithms, HemaChrome offers an accessible way to monitor hemoglobin levels through a simple photo of the inner eyelid. This partnership with GH Labs, a nonprofit supported by Gates Ventures, seeks to improve health diagnostics, especially for underserved populations around the world.

The Power of Machine Learning and Digital Health

At the heart of HemaChrome’s technology is a unique combination of spectroscopy and machine learning algorithms that transforms any smartphone camera into a high-resolution hyperspectral imager. This tool enables clinicians to measure hemoglobin instantly, without needing specialized equipment or invasive procedures. HemaChrome’s solution, developed by founder and Purdue University professor Young Kim, incorporates a patent-pending method to extract ‘true colors’ from photos, eliminating discrepancies caused by varying light conditions, camera models, and image file types. This precise color extraction technology is key to providing reliable results, making HemaChrome a pioneer in mobile health technology.

Why Accurate Hemoglobin Testing Matters

Accurate blood hemoglobin levels are critical in diagnosing numerous health issues, including anemia, kidney disease, and heart conditions. However, traditional hemoglobin tests can be costly and require specialized equipment, which limits their accessibility. According to Huiri Kim, CEO of HemaChrome, the global rise of anemia—affecting over 1.93 billion people and leading to significant health challenges worldwide—highlights the urgent need for a more accessible, affordable diagnostic tool. HemaChrome’s technology could transform healthcare by providing instant hemoglobin readings in low-resource settings, potentially reducing the high rate of undiagnosed anemia in underserved regions.

Global Health Labs’ Role and Goals

Global Health Labs, funded by Gates Ventures, focuses on bridging healthcare gaps in low- and middle-income countries by supporting innovative health solutions. By collaborating with HemaChrome, GH Labs aims to optimize the mobile technology’s algorithms to ensure accuracy across various populations and settings. This partnership, which began in May 2024, will continue through 2025, with GH Labs assisting HemaChrome in refining its technology for global health applications. Huiri Kim noted the alignment between GH Labs’ mission to reduce health disparities and HemaChrome’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible and affordable.

Potential for Economic Impact

Addressing anemia on a global scale could significantly impact both public health and economic productivity. Anemia affects energy levels and cognitive function, leading to reduced productivity and economic losses. Governments, therefore, have a vested interest in finding cost-effective anemia screening solutions. HemaChrome’s noninvasive and mobile-friendly technology provides a viable option for frequent testing, enabling early diagnosis and treatment. By making anemia detection accessible even in remote areas, HemaChrome could help mitigate both health and economic impacts.

Next Steps and Future Goals

Looking ahead, HemaChrome is targeting a minimally viable product by late 2025, with plans to expand its capabilities in partnership with GH Labs. Huiri Kim expressed enthusiasm about continuing the collaboration, particularly with respect to HemaChrome’s color calibration technology, which has the potential to revolutionize digital health diagnostics. Through ongoing development and potential future projects, HemaChrome and GH Labs hope to further advance mobile health technology for blood diagnostics.

About HemaChrome

HemaChrome LLC, founded by Purdue University researcher Young Kim, is dedicated to developing innovative, accessible healthcare technology. By leveraging smartphone capabilities, HemaChrome’s mobile solution enables users to test blood hemoglobin levels in real-time without invasive procedures. The company’s mission is to create affordable healthcare solutions that address critical needs in underserved communities.

About Global Health Labs Inc.

Global Health Labs, funded by Gates Ventures, works independently to support the Gates Foundation’s goals of improving healthcare in underserved regions. GH Labs partners with leading organizations to bring health innovations to scale, with a focus on enhancing primary healthcare in low-resource settings.

About Purdue Innovates and Purdue University

Purdue University’s Office of Technology Commercialization supports HemaChrome through Purdue Innovates, a comprehensive technology transfer program. Purdue Innovates fosters economic growth and technological advancement by commercializing research from Purdue University. Purdue itself is a top-tier public research institution known for its commitment to affordability, innovation, and excellence in fields like biomedical engineering and health technology.

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