Canada’s DIGITAL Innovation Cluster, funded by the federal government, has announced a significant investment of $15 million into an AI megaproject led by a consortium of Canadian healthtech companies. This funding will support the continuation of the Health Compass II project aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into healthcare solutions.
The project, with a total budget of $44 million, involves key partners including ORX Surgical, Tali AI, Healwell AI, Phelix AI, Well Health, and Simon Fraser University (SFU). Each partner is contributing financially to the initiative, with Well Health leading with a contribution of $6.8 million.
Health Compass II comprises four modules designed to enhance patient engagement, streamline administrative tasks, improve healthcare documentation, and assist in clinical decision-making. Each partner is focusing on a specific aspect of the project, from patient-facing virtual agents to AI-driven clinical decision support modules.
Well Health, one of the project partners, will also serve as the commercialization partner and initial customer for the Health Compass II solutions. The company’s platform, utilized by thousands of clinics and healthcare providers, will integrate the AI innovations developed through this project.
The CEO of DIGITAL, Sue Paish, emphasized the importance of leveraging Canada’s leadership in AI research for the commercialization of cutting-edge healthcare solutions. The government-backed initiative aims to drive innovation in Canadian companies while addressing global healthcare challenges.
Previous phases of the Health Compass project received support from DIGITAL, with an initial investment of $3.1 million in 2022. The current funding will further expedite the development and integration of AI technologies into healthcare, with a focus on improving patient care and clinical outcomes.
The investment announcement was attended by François-Philippe Champagne, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting the growth of the healthtech industry in Canada. With over $200 million already committed to digital innovation projects, DIGITAL continues to play a vital role in catalyzing the transformation of healthcare through AI.
Overall, the Health Compass II project represents a collaborative effort among leading Canadian healthtech companies and academic institutions to harness the power of artificial intelligence for advancing healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
