A digital healthcare start-up will continue their clinical trialling of a game-based Dementia programme after securing a six-figure sum from the UK government. Awarded by Innovative UK, the UK’s national innovation agency, the highly coveted SMART award anticipates world leading innovation that is expected to have the greatest impact on the UK economy. Ascentys, a Yorkshire based business and creators of the technology, hope the videogame will provide rapid screening and diagnostics for those suffering with Alzheimer’s.
Ascentys are working in partnership with Durham University and Hywel Dda University to trial the ground-breaking gaming and AI technology that has been recognised by the government. Leaders of the project believe the video game has the potential to positively impact NHS assessments of the disease. Currently, Dementia costs the UK’s health system £26.3 billion annually. This number is expected to increase to £55 billion by 2050, meaning the businesses new AI technology could save the NHS millions yearly. Dr Sayed Kazmi, founder of Ascentys commented:
“From its inception, Ascentys has sought to innovate and create a significant positive impact on the patients, their families and carers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and the clinicians responsible for their care.
Treatment and care of Alzheimer’s Dementia costs the NHS millions annually and desperately requires innovation to transform the current treatmentpathway for the disease to substantially reduce clinical burden and waiting list times for patients. The aim of G:DATA is to have a role in this and to raise the effectiveness and quality of care provided to patients using an inexpensive, highly engaging, and non-invasive alternative to existing approaches.”
Twice awarded as one of the fastest growing digital companies in the Leeds Enterprise region, the award adds to the company’s long list of achievements. Mr Kazmi is delighted to receive the award, adding: “It gives us great pleasure to announce this award and we are confident G:DATA will play a key role in transforming the current screening and diagnostics of Alzheimer’s Disease and ultimately work towards providing a genuinely novel treatment.”
About Ascentys
Formed in 2017, Ascentys was born from three senior academic researchers, all leaving well paid jobs after experiencing the devastating impact of mental illness on close friends and family. Ascentys works closely alongside the world’s best neuroscientists, psychiatrists, clinicians, researchers, and award-winning game developers to create truly ground-breaking digital videogames and related technologies including advanced Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence to innovate and disrupt mental health pathways for vastly more effective and efficient screening, diagnostics and treatment.
