Canada's 10 Most Valuable Healthcare Solution Providers July 2021

Tim Rice | CEO
A Revolutionary Platform Aiding Healthcare
Experts for Improved Healthcare Outcomes
www.insightscare.com
2021
VOL- 07
ISSUE 06
Shields Up
Importance of
Cybersecurity for
Healthcare
Organizations
Un-distance
The Rise of AI
in Healthcare
Everything You
Should Know
The Rounds was
built to support
digital
transformation,
so the pandemic
has accelerated
our position in
the healthcare
ecosystem.
“
“

he progress that the healthcare industry has made in
Tthe last many decades is simply stupefying.
Particularly, its adoption of technologies to provide
positive patient outcomes in a short period is commendable.
The global pandemic only emphasized the need to embrace,
disrupt and exploit technology to the best of everyone’s
beneﬁt. Globally, healthcare solution providers are adapting
to the latest technologies as and when they are introduced.
Canada has always focussed on positive health outcomes
and boasts of a vibrant healthcare system. Indisputably, the
country's healthcare solution providers altered their
operations with the demands of the time – particularly
during the pandemic.
When the turmoil triggered by the coronavirus left the
world in confusion and all industries had to halt operations
abruptly, the health space and allied sectors swung into
action. It was in demand majorly, but the challenges to meet
people’s healthcare needs were daunting. Canada switched
over to healthcare platforms before the advent of the global
pandemic. During the lockdowns, the country’s healthcare
solution providers improved the online platforms quickly
by adopting newer technologies.
These platforms provide consultations and solutions to
people and help healthcare professionals interact with peers
and experts. Besides, hi-tech medical innovations have also
helped medical professionals to heal complex problems.
An added advantage is that Canada has a free and universal
healthcare system. The Canada Health Act, 1984, which
states that all Canadians have access to a publicly funded
healthcare system, has ensured that the citizens get timely
treatment for free or at a low cost.
Besides, many private healthcare facilities are providing
quality care. Canadians trust their healthcare system, which
is a big boost for the medical fraternity and allied sectors.
Evidently, the medical fraternity feels as secure as the
people of Canada with such a robust and reliable healthcare
system.
We came across some exceptional healthcare service
providers and featured them in our latest edition of Insights
Care, titled Canada's 10 Most Valuable Healthcare Solution
Providers. We are sure you will enjoy reading this edition as
much as we did during its making.
Have a great read!
Sumita Sarkar
Healthcare at its best

A Revolutionary Platform Aiding Healthcare Experts for
Improved Healthcare Outcomes
08
Cover Story
Articles
Importance of Cybersecurity for
Healthcare Organizations
Shields Up
20
Un-distance
The Rise of AI in Healthcare
Everything You Should Know
30

16
26
36
Pacylex Pharmaceuticals
Cogniciti Inc.
Medicinal Innovation Empowering
Healthcare Space
Providing Comprehensive Care for
a Quality Life
eSSENTIAL Accessibility
Administering Inclusive Digital
Healthcare Platforms
CxO
The use of AI and Robotics in Fertility
and Reproductive Medicine
Contents
Contents
24 34
TechDriven
AI and Machine Learning:
How tech driven healthcare is
driving the industry
Tech of the Future

Co-designer Paul Belin
Art & Picture Editor Rohil Shinganapurkar
Art & Design Head
Editor-in-Chief Sumita Sarkar
Managing Editor Abhishaj Sajeev
Senior Editor Anish Miller
Visualiser David King
Priyanka Rajage
Circulation Manager Tanaji
Research Analyst Eric Smith
Sarah Wilson, John Smith, Alex Vincent
Business Development Executives
Amy Jones
Business Development Manager
Sales Executives Kelli, Bill, Anna
SME-SMO Executives Atul, Gemson
Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege
Technical Consultants David, Robert
Technical Head Jacob Smile
Marketing Manager John Smith
Assistant Technical Head Pratiksha Patil
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager Amol Wadekar
Copyright © 2021 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights success.
Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. Insights Care is powered by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd.
July, 2021
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Description
Featuring
Accreditation Canada
accreditation.ca
Leslee Thompson
CEO
Accreditation Canada delivers a wide range of high-impact
assessment programs for health and social service
organizations, powered by HSO, and customized to local
needs.
Canadian Plasma
Resources
giveplasma.ca
Dr. Barzin Bahardoust
CEO
Canadian Plasma Resources (CPR) is a pharmaceutical
manufacturer licensed by Health Canada and certiﬁed by the
European Union (EU) and the International Quality Plasma
Program (IQPP).
CloudMD
cloudmd.ca
Essam Hamza
CEO
Cogniciti
cogniciti.com
William Reichman
President & CEO
Cogniciti is a brain health company that is changing the way
the world looks at brain health and aging.
eTreat Medical
Diagnostics
etreatmd.com
Shanil Gunasekara
CEO
eTreat is a mobile health company building apps that turn
smartphones into true medical devices.
Michael Weickert
CEO
Pacylex is a Canadian oncology company exploiting a new
discovery in cancer biology which may explain how some
cancers arise from normal cells.
Pacylex Pharmaceuticals
pacylex.com
Arun Menawat
CEO
Profound Medical is a Canadian medical device company
that has developed a unique and minimally invasive
procedure to ablate the prostate gland in prostate cancer
patients.
The Rounds
therounds.com
Tim Rice
CEO
Worldcare International
worldcare.com
Aaron Timm
CEO
WorldCare has been providing the gold standard of medical
second opinions (MSOs) for critical illnesses to covered
members around the world.
CloudMD is digitizing the delivery of healthcare by
providing a patient centric approach, with an emphasis on
continuity of care.
The Rounds is the secure collaboration network modern
healthcare professionals trust to improve healthcare outcomes.
eSSENTIALAccessibility
essentialaccessibility.com
Mark Steele
Co-founder and CEO
eSSENTIAL Accessibility is the world’s #1 Accessibility-as-
a-Service platform that makes your digital assets conform
with WCAG and compliant with ADA, AODA, Section 508
and other anti-discrimination laws.
Profound Medical Corp.
profoundmedical.com
Company Name

A Revolutionary Platform Aiding Healthcare
Experts for Improved Healthcare Outcomes
From the invention of the first artificial
pacemaker to 3D printed body parts,
technology has aided a profound
development of modern healthcare. Aligning
technology with the human need of social
interaction, healthcare platforms with the purpose
of connecting medical professionals with each
other and with patients have been garnering
necessary attention.
These platforms have evidently provided an easy
access to authentic healthcare information and
virtual consultation have proven vital, specifically
during the ongoing pandemic. Pertaining to this,
healthcare service providers and organizations
across the world are pivoting their care delivery
systems to such platforms.
In similar context, The Rounds is one such
platform which is on a mission to improve global
healthcare outcomes by connecting the medical
community. It provides a secure environment for
physicians to connect with peers and experts
across various therapeutic areas.
Cover
Story

The Rounds is coherently modernizing
how physicians connect to information,
so they have the ability to improve
healthcare outcomes. The platform has
built a safe place for physicians to
collaborate by reducing the external
noise found on traditional social media
channels yet provides them the ability
to have a voice amongst their
colleagues, regardless of geographic
constraints.
Redefining Benchmarks
There are two critical components that
separate The Rounds from other
platforms. Primarily, it is a specialty
agnostic that removes the silos across
medicine so that knowledge sharing
can span a larger audience, but it also
includes closed groups when
connecting with physicians’ immediate
peers is important.
Secondly, The Rounds has worked
diligently to ensure that it is compliant
with regulators, associations, and
privacy rules so that it can safely
deliver the right information to its
members and provide comfort that they
are getting accurate and relevant
information for their practice.
Needless to say, the COVID-19
pandemic has impacted healthcare
industry and the associated niche
markets as much as it has impacted the
people. Talking about how the
pandemic impacted the company, the
team at The Rounds says, “This
pandemic is a landmark event that will
permanently change many aspects of
the healthcare system. The tools and
resources for providing patient care
have been turned upside down and a
new gold standard of virtual
capabilities are here to stay. That
doesn’t mean personal interactions are
gone however, it just means that the
tools we use, need to take into
consideration effective means for
remote engagement. The Rounds was
built to support digital transformation,
so the pandemic has accelerated our
position in the healthcare ecosystem,
but we’ve also leveraged our agility to
adapt to the changing needs of our
members and our customers.”
Personifying Progress
At the helm of The Rounds’ ascension
towards peaks of success is Tim Rice,
the CEO.
Tim is a recognized leader in the Life
Sciences sector and devotes his time to
influencing how physicians consume
and share crucial information. In 2001
Tim began his career ‘carrying the bag’
in a sales role for Novartis
rd
Pharmaceuticals (3 largest
pharmaceutical company globally).
“I was always interested in healthcare
and business; the pharma industry
married the two of those very well and
Novartis provided a lot of
opportunities to advance within the
company, so I jumped on them. I
inadvertently got a call one day from a
board member of The Rounds to have a
coffee and I immediately saw a
solution that could alleviate the
We are
modernizing how
physicians connect
to information, so
they have the
ability to improve
healthcare
outcomes.
“
“
Canada's 10 Most Valuable Healthcare Solution Providers

“Access is the
largest issue in
healthcare –
whether you are
talking about
access to
physicians, access
to treatments, and
access to accurate
and relevant
information.
“
“
“

challenges the pharma industry was experiencing in
executing the current sales model. Interrupting a physician’s
workflow in their clinic by sales reps wasn’t a sustainable
model, especially with a significant drop in accessible
physicians that had been building for years. So, I hung up
the bag, joined The Rounds and we are now modernizing
how physicians connect to improve healthcare outcomes,”
Tim expresses.
Tim leads a passionate team driven by the mantra that
knowledge saves lives. Through his role, he is focused on
establishing a sustainable and scalable business model for
the organization, helping the company grow rapidly while
positively impacting the community.
With over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry,
Tim has developed premium skills in sales, medical
education, marketing, and leadership roles. Tim Rice is
known to his colleagues and partners as a genuine,
personable, and determined individual who is centered
around building strong relationships.
We asked Tim for his opinion on what could be the future
of the healthcare services sector post the pandemic, to
which Tim said, “Access is the largest issue in healthcare.
Whether you are talking about access to physicians, access
to treatments (both physically and financially) and access to
accurate and relevant information. In the short term we are
seeing a negative impact of the pandemic on a lot of
medical conditions because patients are not going to see
their doctor for ailments not associated with Covid-19
symptoms, hence we will see a burden to the healthcare
system as the pandemic eases. But as the healthcare system
adjusts to new capabilities there will be a lot of efficiencies
through digital access to resources for effective care. We
will not fully replace physical contact in medicine but for
diagnosis, treatment, and management of many conditions
the patient journey will be significantly improved.”
Excerpts from his own journey as an entrepreneur, in his
advice to those aspiring to venture into the healthcare
services niche, Tim says, “Learn about the healthcare
ecosystem as much as you can. You need to consider all
stakeholders involved as medicine quickly becomes a ‘team
sport’. A second piece of advice I would add is that you
need to be agile and adapt as medicine evolves to remain
relevant in this space. What is considered as the gold
standard today, will not be the case tomorrow so stay close
to your stakeholders and help them navigate.”
Voyaging towards New Horizons
The Rounds had immediately recognized that the pandemic
would be a catalyst for a market shift in its favor. The
company’s focus shifted from sales growth to the growth of
its team. “We needed the right people on the bus to succeed
in the wave that we could see coming so we regrouped,
mapped out our immediate and mid-term needs for the
following 12 months and went on a hiring binge to find the
best talent available,” says Tim.
The Rounds also understood that this was not just a
Canadian impact, but it needed to think globally with
medical associations approaching the company to seek
solutions and it needed to think bigger.
“In less than a year we’ve established a significant US
pipeline for membership and customers and with a market
10x of Canada’s. We are very excited about our ability to
scale in North America and globally,” concludes Tim.
In less than a
year we’ve
established a
significant US
pipeline for
membership and
customers and
with a market
10x of Canada’s.
“
“

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Providing Comprehensive Care for a Quality Life
Over 115,000
cognitive assessments
have been completed
via the BHA.
n recent years, the otherwise missing conversation on
Imental health has picked some attention. People have
finally started addressing mental health issues more
openly than before.
Although this open conversation is now happening among
the younger population, the older adult population still lags
behind in this aspect. With increasing age, a number of
physical and mental illnesses occur in individuals. Among
these, one of the leading mental health ailments in older
adults is dementia.
Even though dementia is mainly found in older adults, it is
not a direct cause of aging. The disease affects approxi-
mately ten million people every year and impacts not just
the individuals suffering from it but also their carers and
family members.
To address this serious mental health issue and improve the
quality of life of older adults, Cogniciti Inc. came into
existence. Cogniciti, through its provision of innovative,
evidence-based brain health solutions, is engaging older
people in essential conversations about their brain health.
The company is a subsidiary of Baycrest Health Sciences,
which is a global leader in residential living, healthcare,
research, innovation, and education for older adults, with a
special focus on brain health and aging.
In a conversation with Insights Care, Brian Mackie, the
Vice President Finance and CFO at Baycrest Health
Sciences and Chief Operations Officer at Cogniciti Inc,
and Dr Larissa McKetton, Director of Scientific and
Clinical Development at Cogniciti Inc., talk about the
elaborate services that the company provides to prevent,
treat, and cure dementia.
Please brief our audience about Cogniciti, its values, and
the key aspects of its stronghold within the healthcare
services space.
Cogniciti Inc. is a brain health company and a subsidiary of
Baycrest Health Sciences. Cogniciti was originally formed
to create a model for bringing brain health science from the
research lab to the consumer market through the provision
of innovative, evidence-based brain health solutions.
Baycrest is a global leader in research, innovation, educa-
tion, and care for older adults, with a special focus on brain
health and aging.
Baycrest is home to a robust research and innovation
network, including:
Ÿ The Rotman Research Institute, one of the world’s top
research institutes in cognitive neuroscience.
Ÿ The Baycrest-powered Centre for Aging + Brain Health
Innovation, a solution accelerator focused on driving
innovation in the aging and brain health sector.
Ÿ The scientific headquarters of the Canadian Consortium
on Neurodegeneration in Aging, Canada’s largest
national dementia research initiative.
Fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest
provides excellent care for older adults through our
hospital, long-term care, retirement home, and independent
living and combines this with an extensive clinical training
program for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Baycrest and Cogniciti are at the forefront of the fight to
defeat dementia, as we work to help individuals fear no age
16|July 2021|www.insightscare.com

Brian is a healthcare executive with more than
25 years of experience in the Ontario health
system. He has provided financial oversight in
two world-leading academic health centers:
Baycrest and the Hospital for Sick Children.
Brian is a Chartered Accountant who trained
and worked with Price Waterhouse in both the
UK and Canada.
Dr McKetton has worked with industry part-
ners, the healthcare sector, and academia. She
has a wide range of experience conducting
brain-related studies encompassing aging neuro-
science, multi-sensory system processing,
vascular brain health, big data analysis, and
cognitive assessment research and development
(R&D).
She brings an extensive background in
neuroimaging analysis, cognitive neuroscience,
patient recruitment, mentorship, statistical and
business expertise. Dr McKetton did her MSc and
Ph.D. at York University in neuroscience, look-
ing at clinical and unique populations with a
focus on neuroimaging. Her postdoctoral work at
Toronto Western Hospital focussed on
cerebrovascular reactivity using different types
of neuroimaging techniques in the aging brain.
Brian Mackie
Vice President Finance & CFO at
Baycrest Health Sciences and Chief
Operations Officer at Cogniciti Inc.
Dr Larissa McKetton
Director of Scientific and
Clinical Development at
Cogniciti Inc.
and create a world where every older adult enjoys a life of
purpose, inspiration, and fulfilment.
Tell us more about the products/services that make
Cogniciti stand out from the competition?
Cogniciti has developed a clinically validated and self-
administered brain health assessment (BHA) that provides
independent adults aged 20 – 94 with the ability to evaluate
whether their memory is normal or if they should contact
their physician. The test provides an immediate report after
a 20-minute online assessment. The BHA can be used for
clinical and research purposes and is also an engaging tool
ABOUT THE LEADERS

to start the conversation about cognitive health with older
adults.
The Cogniciti BHA is as accurate as the widely used
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at identifying
problems with memory and attention. A new study shows
that for those with near-normal performance, the Brain
Health Assessment performs better than the MoCA at
detecting subtle cognitive decline and impairment. In
addition, the Brain Health Assessment is more accessible
than current tools since it is self-administered and available
online.
Over 115,000 cognitive assessments have been completed
via the BHA.
Leveraging our growing audience, Cogniciti has developed
and utilized its Brain Health Registry. Adults who complete
the BHA are offered the opportunity to join the Registry,
which provides them early access to brain health research
studies in their area. In addition, we provide a monthly
newsletter to over 55,000 subscribers.
Cogniciti has recently developed a portal for onboarding
organizations to use the BHA for clinical or research
purposes. A clinical BHA report is automatically generated,
and this system can be used with a license subscription for
pre-screening participants in clinical, research, academic,
and clinical trial settings.
What is your opinion on the impact of the current
pandemic on the global healthcare sector, and how has
Cogniciti fared during the pandemic and subsequent
lockdowns?
During this time, the global healthcare sector migrated to
virtual platforms, such as the self-administered Cogniciti
Brain Health Assessment. The pandemic has sped up the
transition to virtual tools. In 2020, The Sam and Ida Ross
Memory Clinic at Baycrest was the first clinic to pilot the
clinical use of the BHA, which provided clinicians with
more evidence to directly refer patients to special programs.
Based on the success of this pilot, the team created an
automated clinical portal to support its adoption by other
organizations.
In your opinion, what could be the future of the
healthcare services sector post the pandemic?
There is a market for tools that can be used to support a
more autonomous understanding of a person’s brain health.
Cogniciti has solutions from its BHA, the clinical portal,
and complementary tools, such as the Smart Tracker that is
used to monitor overall health.
The future of the healthcare service sector includes more
virtual-based solutions and products and tools that are
accessible by all users.
More people can avoid an in-person primary care visit by
connecting virtually at home. Care needs to be digitally
enabled and distributed widely. Innovation with these
technologies, spanning all patients, will also advance health
equity through increased accessibility.
As an established leader, what would be your advice to
the budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts aspiring to
venture into healthcare services?
Budding entrepreneurs should ensure that their
product/service addresses an identified problem. There are
many different types of healthcare services and models, so
it is also important for any aspiring entrepreneur to find and
do work in the field that they care about. Taking satisfaction
in your work, having a clear vision, and understanding your
industry are all key aspects to consider.
How do you envision scaling Cogniciti’s operations in
2021?
We envision scaling our operations by licensing the use of
the BHA as a clinical and research tool. As evidence of the
efficacy of the BHA builds, interest from researchers and
clinicians across different disciplines is growing
significantly.
As an unsupervised, validated test, the BHA has significant
value as a pre-screening and monitoring mechanism in
some different research and clinical scenarios. The July
2021 publication of a paper, which shows that the BHA
performs better than the MoCA, a widely used and
supervised cognitive test, is significant and has led to
multiple unsolicited inquiries regarding the application of
the BHA in different scenarios.
The information within the BHA can be broken down for
further analysis, providing different assessments for short-
term memory, delayed memory, and executive attention. In
addition, our research team is currently validating a French
version of the BHA and investigating the test’s translation
into other languages.

The
Rise of in
HEALTHCARE
Everything You Should Know
Human evolution has always rotated around
intelligence. Intelligence led us to the progress we
have today. We are the ever-learning creatures,
aren’t we? In this learning process, human beings invented
many things that made their lifestyle easier. Artificial
Intelligence (AI) is the latest example of this. AI has spread
its legs in almost all the sectors and has become an
inseparable part of healthcare industry.
AI completely transformed the healthcare sector.
Application of AI and machine learning (ML) is the new
normal in the healthcare space. During the COVID-19
pandemic, when covid patients were admitted to hospitals,
they were passed through CT-scan machine. With a series of
X-ray images taken from different angles, the score was
calculated and so was the risk of patient. Some people
appeared fine externally, which in CT-scan images, were
reached to emergency level. They were saved because of
the use of AI in healthcare.
We are living in the digital age where everything is
advanced. Healthcare sector is not an exception to this
advancement. From dental machines to radiology, and
ultrasound sonographies to laser treatments, AI is advancing

Un-distance

healthcare sector like never before. It was mere 50 years
since it is evolved. However, within such a short period, it
has become crucial in healthcare sector.
Evolution of AI in Healthcare
The period of 1960s laid the foundation of AI where
research for first problem-solving program was carried out.
This program was called as Dendral. It was specifically
designed for the applications in organic chemistry.
Further in 1980s, the American Association for Artificial
Intelligence (AAAI) was established comprising healthcare
sector. Fuzzy expert systems, artificial neural networks, and
hybrid intelligent systems were some of the early examples
of new systems in healthcare.
Carrying this juggernaut further, the rise of internet
triggered the use of AI in healthcare system. A new concept
of machine learning was developed turning the knowledge-
driven approach to data-driven approach. This shift
accelerated the automation process of medical sector and
introduced new horizons. Many tech-solutions were
invented, and the diagnosis of serious diseases became
possible.
Recent Trend in Healthcare Sector
We have reached the age, where the whole world is swiftly
adapting the digital approach. This digital transformation is
changing healthcare sector too. The advancement is
providing accessible and affordable treatments, which were
considered impossible a few decades ago. The healthcare
sector is transforming rapidly due to the adoption of AI
technologies. Today, we are witnessing the decisive role of
AI through its recent trends in the medical sector.
AI is performing human tasks more sophisticatedly and
efficiently. It has the following applications:
1) Diagnosis of diseases: AI plays a cognitive role in
diagnosis of diseases. AI based software can tell whether a
person is suffering from a disease or not. According to a
study, AI has 87% accuracy in diagnosis which is slightly
greater than what healthcare professionals can achieve. AI
is being used for the detection of diseases such as cancer or
heart ailments that too in their early phases. This allows
doctors and medical experts to better diagnose the illness
and provide them the appropriate treatment.
2) Radiology: Radiology is one of the prime examples,
where AI provided upper hand over manual efficiency. For
instance, whenever a patient is passed through the
radiations, the doctor has limited reference images. But in
case of AI, it carries millions of images in its reference
bank. Advanced images and patterns provide a clearer view
for the doctor that the human eye may never see.
3) Telemedicine: Telemedicine and AI go hand in hand. AI
can assist the doctors to monitor patients remotely by using
sensors. Some wearable devices provide information about
the health issues. Further, this information can be compared
to previously stored data by means of AI. This comparison
will alert the patient or medical expert about the alarming
conditions.
4) Drug Selection: Creation of drug is a time-consuming
and costly process. But application of AI can accelerate this
process and resultantly can save the time and cost. By
recording the results of past trials, there will not be any
need of repetitive testing. Hence, AI speeds up the drug
selection process.
5) Automation of Documentation: Documentation of
patients is a time consuming and complex task. Also, there
are chances of manual errors due to the repetitiveness of
task. These mechanical tasks can be automated by using
artificial intelligence. AI can store huge amount of data
which can be used anytime for reference.
There were the days when artificial intelligence was
considered as a science fiction and was only limited to
Hollywood films. However, the evolution of internet
boosted AI and now it is touching new heights every day. It
is advancing with each passing day providing a variety of
applications. It is changing the dynamics of healthcare
sector. No longer a science fiction, AI is transforming lives.
- Vinayak G.

AI and Robotics
The use of
in Fertility and
We live in a world dominated by enhanced
computing power and robotic systems. Given
the potential of all this technology, it is
essential for reproductive physicians and their patients to
understand these technologies and determine how they
could enhance the care of their patients. Two technological
advances which are at this frontier are artificial intelligence
and robot-assisted surgery.
The technology and science behind treating infertility are
becoming increasingly complex, and the volume of data
used to make clinical decisions is expanding on an almost
monthly basis. With so much information that we can
gather about a couple that is experiencing infertility, their
treatment cycle(s), and the embryos they make, it begs the
question of how best to use this sea of information to
maximize the chance of healthy pregnancy. This is where
the new frontier of artificial intelligence (AI) and the
subfield of machine learning (ML) comes into play.
ML utilizes algorithms that incorporate demographic,
clinical, pathological, and genetic information to find
connections and predict clinical outcomes in ways that
humans cannot easily achieve. It finds patterns in the data
and is constantly refining them to produce ever better
predictions; this technology is always learning how to learn
better so as to predict outcomes even better.
Reproductive medicine has already started testing the
potential of AI in the assessment of eggs and embryos,
which can rival the accuracy of embryologists with years of
experience. This automation can not only supplement
determinations made by embryology staff but can help
ensure optimal patient outcomes, minimizing the cost in
time and money. AI has also been implanted in the
assessment of sperm with its accuracy of correctly
identifying well-developed sperm approaching 90%.
AI remains one of the hottest topics in reproductive
medicine. As additional data becomes available for the
artificial intelligence algorithms, ever-increasing accuracy
will be achieved with the promise of ever better clinical
outcomes.
In contrast to AI, robotic surgery has a much longer history
in reproductive medicine. While the idea of robotic surgery
seems relatively new, it has existed for over 50 years and
developed as we know it from the department of defense
research focused on doing battlefield surgery from miles
away.
Over the past several decades, robotic technology grew
with improvements in computing power and imaging
technology which led to the modern Da Vinci robotic
system. Admittedly, this system isn’t an autonomous robot.
Reproductive Medicine
- By Alexander Kotlyar, MD

Alexander Kotlyar
MD
Alexander Kotlyar completed medical
school at Dartmouth in 2014. From
there, he completed his residency in
obstetrics and gynecology at the
world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, where
he gained experience in the whole
spectrum of reproductive surgery,
including robotic surgery. In addition,
he was involved with the team that
performed the first uterine transplant in
the United States.
Afterward, he completed his fellowship
in Reproductive Endocrinology and
Infertility at Yale University. His
research focused on finding novel
treatments for endometriosis and has
been published in leading journals in
reproductive medicine. Currently, he is
a reproductive endocrinology and
infertility specialist at Genesis
Fertility/Maimonides Medical Center in
Brooklyn, NY.
About the Author
Any movement by the surgical robot comes from
commands made by a specially trained surgeon on a nearby
console.
The main advantage of the robot comes from the very fine
movements possible with the numerous tools and arms at
the surgeon’s disposal. In addition, the robot eliminates a
natural tremor or shake in the surgeon’s hands. This makes
exquisitely delicate surgeries such as tubal ligation reversals
much easier and potentially quicker.
Currently, robotic surgery is performed for a myriad of
conditions that impact reproduction in addition to tubal
ligation reversal. These include fibroid surgery, surgery to
excise and remove endometriosis, and fertility preservation
surgeries such as ovarian transposition/transplantation. In a
study from The Cleveland Clinic, using the robot for fibroid
surgery led to decreased blood loss and length of hospital
stay. These clinical advantages combined with improved
visualization and dexterity make robotic surgery a fixture of
reproductive medicine.
Both of these technologies are still evolving, with a myriad
of studies currently underway to better refine and apply AI
and robotic surgery. Each holds immense promise for a new
age in reproductive medicine.
TechDriven

eSSENTIAL
Accessibility
As the healthcare sector made a rapid shift to digital
platforms during the pandemic to contain the virus
for a variety of care services, it struggled with
conforming all its platforms to comply with all the
regulatory and statutory accessibility standards for people
with disabilities.
eSSENTIALAccessibility is a comprehensive digital
platform that lets organizations create an inclusive service
experience for their clients through digital accessibility
testing, evaluation, and remediation. eSSENTIAL
Accessibility enables corporations to comply with the
regulatory and statutory accessibility standards and display
an inclusive and disability-friendly presence.
In the following interview, Simon Dermer, the
Co-founder and Executive Chairman, talks about the
revolutionary services that the company delivers
ceaselessly, and also his vision for the company’s future.
Please brief our audience about eSSENTIAL
Accessibility, its values, and the key aspects of its
stronghold within the healthcare services space.
eSSENTIAL Accessibility (eA) is an Accessibility-as-a-
Service platform dedicated to helping organizations create
inclusive, disability-friendly experiences on their digital
properties. We accomplish this through testing, evaluating,
and remediating websites. We ensure that its three core
values (unity, accountability, and resolve) are present in
customer interactions while striving to make the digital
landscape accessible for all.
As a social enterprise that spun out of a rehabilitative
services provider to help patients with disabilities access
technology, healthcare is the backdrop that informs our
DNA. eA works with health care organizations to achieve
and maintain compliance with accessibility standards,
regulations, and guidelines, combining software, processes,
and people to mitigate legal risk and achieve digital
accessibility.
Tell us more about the products/services that make
eSSENTIALAccessibility stand out from the
competition?
Other companies tend to focus on a speciﬁc area of
accessibility rehabilitation without accounting for the rest.

For instance, an overlay company or a consultant may
provide automatic scanning of a website, but they won't
provide human testing, legal support, accessibility program
management, etc. — all things necessary to make a website
accessible.
In the consultant’s case, they may provide those services,
but at an additional cost and on a fragmented basis. We
provide all those services and more on our platform so
customers can get the expertise and support they need on
their journey to accessibility.
What is your opinion on the impact of the current
pandemic on the global healthcare sector, and how has
eSSENTIALAccessibility fared during the pandemic
and subsequent lockdowns?
As with all verticals, the pandemic has driven the global
health care sector through significant change, including
increasing drives to digital transformation and online
engagement. Telehealth, in the form of doctor visits and
patient monitoring, has taken off due to safety precautions
around diminishing the spread of COVID-19. Websites
have started to replace traditional phone calls for patients
wanting to make appointments or access their medical
information quickly.
Health care organizations need to adapt their existing digital
properties to handle this transition. As they update their
digital assets, they must also comply with the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), Web Content Accessibility
Guidelines (WCAG), and other compliance guidelines for
people with disabilities.
The pandemic has caused not only individuals but busi-
nesses to reflect on what they could improve internally.
Some businesses have homed in on DE&I initiatives to
reach previously unengaged and unaccounted for audiences.
As a result, more have started making their assets accessible
for people with disabilities and have chosen our platform to
assist in their journey to accessibility.
In your opinion, what could be the future of the
healthcare services sector post the pandemic?
Digital transformation, although perhaps driven by the
pandemic, is a boon for healthcare companies’ clients,
giving them greater access than ever before. But that means
that we owe it to them to ensure accessibility, transparency,
and ease of use for all users, especially now that digital may
be the first, or only, point of contact.
For example, navigating websites to find vaccines or testing
sites was inefficient, to say the least, during the pandemic,
which is exclusionary for users with disabilities. Users need
information in a timely, uncomplicated manner. Companies
should oblige them by making their websites more user-
friendly and adhering to accessibility standards.
As an established leader, what would be your advice to
the budding entrepreneurs and enthusiasts aspiring to
venture into healthcare services?
Be on the lookout for a problem and provide a solution. The
healthcare sector is an industry where the population
expects thorough answers to their questions because their
health (i.e., quality of life) is directly impacted. Be prepared
to provide them with that. Getting ahead of the curve and
seeing where there's a need helps shape aspiring ventures
into full-fledged companies in the healthcare sector.
How do you envision scaling eSSENTIALAccessibility’s
operations in 2021?
We’ve experienced very strong growth during 2020 and
2021 and expect the trend to continue in years to come. The
market understands the need and urgency for accessible
digital experiences created by a massive shift to digital
—
due to the pandemic, litigation under the ADA, and
changing expectations in the marketplace and we’re
—
well-positioned as leaders in this space to help companies
solve this challenge.
We’re scaling by continuing to invest in technology and
development and adding even more accessibility experts to
ensure we can help every company that needs it.

for Healthcare
Organizations
Cybersecurity
Thousands of years ago, when homo sapiens started
to live in caves, they invented new ways of
security. From spined fencing to live fire, they used
everything to protect their lives. After stabilization, they
built houses comprised of doors, and for security, locks
were invented.
In the process of evolution, the security measures got
updated with time. Today, in this digital age, traditional
locks are replaced with smart locks. During the journey of
fire to smart locks, the ultimate focus is unchanged –
security.
Every era comes with its own challenges. Today, we are
living in a digital age where everything is computerized.
The widespread adoption of the internet augmented
advancement in every sector. Everything stands upon a
single click, and hence, new ways of security attacks were
evolved accordingly.
People with the purpose of threatening security started
cyber-attacks on companies, organizations, or even entire
countries. These attacks were carried out to steal sensitive
data. They can be conducted by an individual, a group of
terrorists, or from the secret agencies of rival countries.
So, how to secure healthcare space from these attacks?
Modern problems require modern solutions, and
cybersecurity is the perfect answer to this question.
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting networks,
systems, and programs from digital attacks. These attacks
are conducted to access and destroy sensitive information.
Sometimes these can be shepherded to extort money from
hospitals or medical professionals or to interrupt the
workflow. Hence, taking effective cybersecurity measures is
crucial for the healthcare sector.
of
Importance

Shields Up

Why is Healthcare Space on the RADAR?
Healthcare organizations possess a considerable amount of
data. It can include personal information of patients as well
as sensitive information about medicines. This information
possesses high intelligence value for cyber attackers. This
highly sensitive information includes patients’ financial
credentials such as banking details, credit or debit cards, or
protected health data.
Also, it may include intellectual information about ongoing
research and medical records. Attackers sell these stolen
records to the darknet, where they get immense profit. In
extreme cases, terrorists can plan a cyber-attack to access
the information for developing chemical weapons. Hence,
foolproof security is crucial for the healthcare sector.
Perils for Healthcare Industry
• Phishing Scams
Healthcare professionals are always in danger of
phishing attacks. Hackers send false links to deceive the
person and access sensitive information. These links can
be sent through messages, emails, or through the
browser. By clicking these malicious links, hackers
access all the required information. A simple click might
seem innocuous, but it can install the phishing software
on the server, obtaining the recipient’s credentials.
• Malware Attack
Malware is one of the prime examples of cyberattacks. It
can be used to block or destroy any system. It is the
contraction of ‘malicious software’ that is designed to
damage computers. Vulnerable networks are the easier
targets of malware software. This software is inserted
into a system by installing a program from the internet,
employing false links or even through physical devices
such as USB.
• Denial of Service (DoS) Attack
DoS attacks lead to the unavailability of the server. DoS
attacks are carried out by creating traffic to overload the
bandwidth. Distributed denial of service (DDoS) is
another example, where the attack is launched from
several infected host machines to make server downs.
Ways to Improve the Cybersecurity
• Implementation of Multifactor authentication
Multifactor authentication protects the accounts by
verifying the recipient’s credentials. Login ID and
passwords are the go-to factors for hackers. Hence, the
implementation of multifactor authentication can reduce
this risk and avoid the impacts of security lapses.
• Filtration of dubious content
Healthcare professionals running their communication
systems should be aware of the dubious content.
Attackers use phishing emails to divert the recipient and
enter the system. Installing harmful software can lead to
the loss of information. Hence, filtration of such content
is crucial.
• Regular System Update
Old system can be less efficient and vulnerable towards
cyberattack. Hackers can easily access the system if it is
outdated. An updated system improves the security and
workflow of the process.
• Training of Employees for Cyber Attacks
A well-trained team can minimize the risk of attacks on
the domain. They will be aware of not clicking the fake
links with poor quality logos or images. System can be
more efficient in safer hands of trained employees.
The Bottom line
Healthcare system is advancing towards the technological
revolution, where everything is getting automated. With the
addition of AI and ML, it is only going to be advanced. On
the flip side of the coin, cyber-attacks are getting denser
with the time. Attackers are looking different ways to hack
the system. Hence, the cybersecurity fences need to be
tightened. In the end, what matters is the safety and
security.
- Vinayak G.

AI and Machine
Learning
How tech driven healthcare is driving the industry
In 1989 Praxis embarked upon the development of a
unique type of AI-based Electronic Medical Record
technology that has been progressively fine-tuned over
the over all these years. Today, AI-based Praxis is rated
number one both in usability and physician user
satisfaction. This is not because Praxis is a better built
software, but rather because the Praxis “concept processor”
resolves time consuming process of medical charting using
artificial intelligence that learns from its user.
To most people, AI in medicine envisions an expert-type
program knowledge that arrives from outside of the
provider delivering information at the point of care.
Technologies such as IBM’s Watson come to mind. The
Praxis AI technology, however, is internal to the mind of the
provider; it works with the mind of the provider and
empowering the provider to practice efficiently. Praxis is
currently the fastest and highest quality way to chart
medicine today, hands down.
The concept behind the AI in Praxis EMR is that medicine
is an art and not just a science. The idea that medicine is an
art-form rather than an exact science may feel initially
strange to non-physicians. People may assume that
medicine is a science that makes use of precise logical rules
similar to those found in mathematics, engineering and
accounting. The practice of medicine is not like that at all.
Our medical art deals with uncertainty, probabilities and
unknowns, it works with with gray areas of knowledge.
Even after two hundred years of remarkable technologic
and scientific achievements, medicine today continues to be
based primarily on personal experience and human skill. No
two-doctors practice the same way; no doctors think the
same way. Indeed, with the advent of computers, if
medicine were not an art form, then doctors would probably
not be needed.
Algorithms could be set up so computers could practice all
by themselves. A patient would access a program. explain
his or her clinical issues, answer a few questions, be subject
to a physical exam performed by expert robots which exist
today in other areas, input ordered laboratory and other
studies into the system, and...presto...the computer would
generate a perfect diagnosis and advise on appropriate
treatment every time. In fact, a computer could handle
surgical procedures with perfection and speed if programed
correctly if medicine were an exact science. It is not.
This vision seems obvious, but it is not likely to happen in
the foreseeable future. The human creative perspective,
which is impossible for a computer to mimic successfully,
is very much a part of the medical practice every day. Yes,
a computer can follow a logical process perfectly, but it
cannot follow reason, to say nothing of intuition, and
therefore it fails where logic defies the clinical condition. It
is in this circumstance where humans prevail over the
computer.
Medicine deals with a different type of knowledge. Often,
we are called upon to make clinical decisions based on
inadequate information, sometimes without even knowing
the cause and mechanism of the disease process involved.
Thus, personal experience makes a huge difference to the
practice of this unique art. No matter how many books one
reads, without having been exposed to patients for a
significant time period—years perhaps—it is not possible to
practice based on book learning or intelligence alone.
Yesterday, this personal training was performed by a
mentor, an older physician who would share experience and
wisdom with his young protegee. More recently, formal
medical residency programs have been set up to perform
this training over years of training. Developing intuition
and experience takes much time and effort.

So even the simple migration from the paper record to its
electronic equivalent by using macros and picklists to speed
things up actually bogged down physicians even further.
Today, the average provider in primary care spends twice as
much time with their computer, and they do with their
patients.
On average, they waste about two hours a day playing data-
entry clerk into a computer. This has become a major source
of clinical error, physician stress and burn-out. Ironically,
the computer is turning our physicians into robots.
Understanding this subtle difference in how medicine works
in real life allowed us to create a very different solution. If
medicine is learned from personal experience, why not set
up the charting in the same manner, by learning from the
provider’s own previous writings to help him/her not only
chart dramatically faster but also think clearer? This is the
basis of the Praxis Concept Processor, a neural network
type of software that instantly finds and retrieves the text of
the closest possible encounter that the individual provider
has handled in the past in relation to the case being
encountered.
This approach makes use of the fact that that some clinical
cases are very rare indeed—they may have never been
encountered by this provider—whereas others present daily
and even hourly, which does not mean they are not complex
and do not demand precision and care. Here is exactly
where the computer becomes extremely helpful, as it never
forgets anything it is taught. In essence, the doctor is
charting backwards. Instead of writing what was done, one
does what is written. The use of previous personal writing
as a checklist to assist in the approach to a clinical event
flies against what the hard sciences teach us. However, this
approach is highly effective. Let’s face it, one may disagree
with someone else, but it is very hard to argue with oneself.
Therefore, if a new case presents that is identical to one
seen in past, the use of the previous chart on an identical
case not only speeds up data entry dramatically, but more
importantly, ensures that nothing is forgotten, that all the t’s
are crossed, and the i’s are dotted. Not only is the charting
done instantly, but all the orders are carried out at once, the
prescriptions written precisely and electronically sent to the
pharmacy, the laboratory orders are generated, the
instructions and handouts to the patient are handled, the
referrals, the reschedule and the bill are all generated at the
same time as the note, all done in a single instant step. And
if the provider disagrees with anything in the past for a
similar patient, the reason can only be that either the doctor
made a mistake handling the previous case—medical
knowledge may have improved in between, an actual error
from before may be found— the current case should be
handled slightly differently. In the first case, the correction
ensures that random errors will never recure, whereas in the
second case, the system will learn for the future. In other
words, the more Praxis is used, the faster and smarter it
becomes for its user for all cases, and the less time is
wasted charting, and the less clinical errors are made. Here
the basis of the AI is the doctor’s own knowledge and
approach. Based on this unique approach, a huge set of
clinical possibilities arises. Clearly, this is a different
approach than the old “dead-paper-record paradigm” and
one that progressively improves the quality of medicine and
decreases clinical errors, physician stress and burn-out,
saving thousands of hours of wasted paperwork charting a
year.
Indeed, AI in medicine can be thought of in ways different
ways: Empowering an art-form is certainly one of them,
and that is what Praxis EMR is all about.
Tech of the Future
Richard Low,
MD Founder and CEO,
Praxis EMR

Medicinal Innovation Empowering Healthcare Space
Modern medicine has helped
find solutions to complex
health problems, cancer
being one of them. What was incurable
once, today, under certain conditions
can be successfully treated, cured, and
controlled, giving patients and their
families new hope.
From radiation and chemotherapy, to
immune and cell-based therapy, to the
first-in-class development of small
molecule therapy PCLX-001 by
Pacylex Pharmaceuticals that exploits
a new target in cancer for which drugs
have never been previously developed,
cancer therapy continues to evolve and
improve
“Through this development, we aspire
to cure hematologic malignancies,
leukemia, lymphomas, and myelomas,
dramatically improving patient
outcomes in serious cancers,” says
Dr. Michael Weickert, the CEO.
He further adds, “We value strong
science, teamwork, and execution.
What keeps us moving ahead through
every challenge is knowing we have a
rare privilege of potentially making a
genuine difference in the lives of
patients, their families, and their
caregivers.”
Cancer care with convenience
Established in 2012, Pacylex has set
itself apart by being the first to address
a new cancer target with a new first-in-
class therapy. There are many cancer
therapies currently in practice or in
development. However, developing a
cancer therapy is about more than
whether someone has another molecule
against the same target.
When talking about PCLX-001
therapy, it differentiates with the
following characteristics:
Ÿ Convenience – PCLX-001 is a
once-per-day pill.
Ÿ Potency – PCLX-001 is
approximately 10-times more
potent in vitro than the lymphoma
drug Imbruvica which had revenues
of $8.1 billion in 2019.
Ÿ Tumor killing – in all animal
models of hematologic cancers,
PCLX-001 regressed/killed tumors
or cancer cells.
Ÿ Synergy – PCLX-001 works
through a new mechanism of action
not targeted by other therapies.
Thus, it can potentially work even

What keeps us moving
ahead through every
challenge is knowing we
have a rare privilege of
potentially making a
genuine difference in the
lives of patients, their
families, and their
caregivers.
“
“
Michael Weickert | CEO
better when combined with other
treatments that work diﬀerently.
This potential of the drug has already
intrigued several large pharma
companies with mature oncology
franchises.
Leadership dynamics
Behind innovations and strategies
taking place at Pacylex, is an expert
Dr. Weickert who entered the
healthcare industry in 1992 as a Senior
Scientist straight from 3 years at the
National Cancer Institute of NIH, after
receiving a Doctorate in Genetics from
the University of Wisconsin.
Within two years he was reassigned
from laboratory management to project
management. Over the next 13 years,
Dr. Weickert worked in public
companies, Somatogen, Ligand, and
Nektar, where he guided preclinical
and clinical-stage product development
programs for biologics, small
molecules, and drug-device
combinations including for the Phase
3/NDA program for Targretin for
Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma at
Ligand.
At Nektar, Dr. Weickert was entrusted
with setting up an internal business
unit for anti-infectives for pulmonary
delivery which eventually led to 4
development programs.
After being an intrapreneur at Nektar,
Dr. Weickert decided in 2007 to work
with startups before coming to Pacylex
in 2017. He also served as interim
CEO at illumisonics and COO or CBO
at multiple startups including

Therashock, Ohm Oncology, and
currently Greenfire Bio.
Dr. Weickert currently serves as
Executive Chairman for Chelation
Partners, another Canadian
Pharmaceutical Company. He seeks
life science diamonds in the rough,
game-changing medical discoveries
and innovations that are emerging from
places outside the mainstream marquee
ecosystems, and thus, are struggling
for traction.
From his home in the San Francisco
Bay area, Dr. Weickert helps assemble
development plans and teams and tells
compelling stories to potential
investors and corporate partners for the
diamonds in the rough.
Facing the pandemic of challenges
The ongoing pandemic has impacted
every sector more or less including
medicinal research and development.
The lack of preparation and
unfortunate policy decisions have
strained healthcare delivery and some
supply chains to the breaking point in
many countries.
Dr. Weickert talked about the impact of
the ongoing pandemic on Pacylex
Pharmaceuticals operations, “the
impact on supply chains affected our
company, Pacylex, because our drug
substance is manufactured in India and
the manufacturing plant was shut down
for more than a month due to the
pandemic.”
This delayed the manufacturing of the
company’s clinical supplies and
therefore the filing of a regulatory
application that requires the analysis
and certification of the final drug
product, which is the capsules the
company plans to dose to patients.
“Because we are largely virtual, other
operations were relatively unaffected.
Though the medical and investor
conferences we ordinarily attend each
year all were virtual, we still had about
the same number of meetings, we just
didn’t have to travel to have them,”
says Dr. Weickert.
Advice for the aspirants
“Healthcare values experience,” said
Dr. Weickert while advising aspirants,
“if you have a great idea and some
initial data, get some experience on
your team to help execute. Execution is
where most great ideas fail,” he says.
He further suggests, “Value the capital
and experience required for execution;
many budding entrepreneurs think the
idea is all the value. Ideas are a dime a
dozen. What distinguishes an idea from
a product is hard work, great
execution, and the talent and capital
necessary to pull that off.”
Transition to a clinical-stage
company
Now that the vaccination drives have
helped curb the COVID-19 situations
in several countries it has brought new
hope to the global market. “2021 is an
important transition year for the
company,” says Dr. Weickert, “in
March, we received authorization from
Health Canada to begin clinical
studies in Diffuse Large B-cell
Lymphoma and solid tumor cancer
patients for our lead compound,
PCLX-001.”
The company expects these studies to
begin in late June or July. Further, the
company will go from a pre-clinical
stage company to a clinical-stage
company with three clinical sites
conducting the initial clinical program
– Princess Margaret Hospital in
Toronto, Cross Cancer Institute in
Edmonton, and BC Cancer Agency in
Vancouver.
The company also hopes to initiate a
second program in a different cancer
population, Acute Myeloid Leukemia,
at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the
US late this year. “Though we will
transition to a clinical-stage company,
we will remain a modest operation for
now. Our expanded effort in drug
production and clinical operations is
largely an expansion of the work of our
partners who we have been engaged to
oversee those efforts,” says Dr.
Weickert.

Canada's 10 Most Valuable Healthcare Solution Providers July 2021

Canada's 10 Most Valuable Healthcare Solution Providers July 2021

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