Perth-based telehealth startup BlinkLab is taking significant steps to address the urgent paediatrician shortage affecting families seeking diagnoses for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Reports indicate that numerous children in Perth have faced wait times exceeding four years for essential assessments. In some instances, children have spent their entire primary school years awaiting a diagnosis.
The company plans to commercialise a smartphone application designed to facilitate early diagnoses of autism and ADHD. This initiative aims to reduce both wait times and the associated costs of traditional diagnostic processes. According to BlinkLab’s chief executive and co-founder Henk-Jan Boele, the technology will “democratise neurometric assessments that have been around for decades.”
Boele elaborated that the app captures various facial reflex responses, including blinks, mouth movements, and vocalisations. The data collected is then processed through a machine-learning algorithm that assesses these markers to generate predictions regarding autism and ADHD. “It’s all about empowering doctors using principles from neuroscience to make a better and more reliable and, hopefully, an earlier diagnosis,” he stated.
Significant Findings and Market Potential
Chairman Brian Leedman highlighted the critical importance of BlinkLab’s work, noting the global burden of undiagnosed autism and ADHD in children. Leedman, who previously led the now-defunct ASX-listed ResApp, which was acquired by Pfizer for nearly $200 million in 2022, emphasized the need for innovative solutions in healthcare.
In October 2023, BlinkLab informed shareholders of promising results from a pilot study conducted in the United States, involving 485 children. The study demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, achieving an 84.7 percent specificity score—indicating the app’s effectiveness in identifying individuals without the conditions—and an 83.7 percent sensitivity score, which measures its ability to correctly identify those with autism or ADHD. These results significantly surpassed the US Food and Drug Administration’s benchmark of 65 percent for both metrics. Leedman noted, “The higher the sensitivity-specificity score we can achieve, the more commercial the product becomes.”
Since its listing on the Australian Securities Exchange in April 2023, BlinkLab’s stock has surged over 270 percent, reaching 97 cents per share. Leedman attributed this growth to the company’s commitment to delivering on its promises within the expected timeframe.
Future Developments and FDA Study
Looking ahead, BlinkLab is preparing for an FDA registrational study, which is akin to a clinical phase 3 trial, set to commence in early 2024. This study marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward bringing its innovative app to market, with the potential to alleviate the strain on healthcare systems and provide timely support for families in need.
The developments surrounding BlinkLab reflect broader challenges in healthcare, particularly regarding access to paediatric assessments. As the company advances its technology, it aims to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and their families, ensuring that critical diagnoses are no longer delayed by systemic issues.
