Ayala health unit invests in Fibronostics

MANILA, Philippines — Ayala Healthcare Holdings Inc. (AC Health), through its technology arm Vigos, has made an investment in Fibronostics, a global US-based healthcare technology company focusing on non-invasive algorithm-based solutions for diagnostic testing.

This move enables AC Health to beef up its digital portfolio, said Paolo Borromeo, AC Health president and chief executive officer.

 “This investment fits well into our Vigos health technology portfolio, which we are proud to say is the first digital health portfolio in the Philippines. We are always on the lookout for technology solutions that empower our doctors and improve quality for our patients,” Borromeo said.

Founded in 2015, Fibronostics aims to improve screening, follow-up, and diagnosis through non-invasive products.

Key focus areas include chronic conditions such as liver disease, coronary heart disease and diabetes.

With the investment, AC Health will launch two Fibronostics products, LiverFAST and HealthFACTR in its FamilyDOC clinics.

LiverFAST is a proprietary algorithm that analyzes 10 biomarkers from a blood sample to help screen and monitor common liver diseases.

The test is intended to be a simple and less expensive option to other diagnostics, such as liver biopsy or liver imaging.

HealthFACTR, on the other hand, is as a 10-minute metabolic health check-up solution that provides immediate risk assessment and personalized recommendations, based on the latest medical guidelines, AC Health said.

“We believe LiverFAST and HealthFACTR can help make diagnostic tests more meaningful for patients and doctors. These algorithms are excellent examples of how we can harness healthcare data and analytics to improve clinical decision-making,” AC Health chief digital officer Christian Besler.

SPRIM Ventures managing partner Michael Shleifer, for his part, said the partnership would encourage more patients to appreciate the value of screening and preventive health.

“We are very excited to collaborate with AC Health. Through their network of FamilyDOC clinics, we hope to reach many more patients in the Philippines, where the burden of chronic diseases has been growing. Ultimately, our goal is to screen patients early so that they can work in partnership with their doctors to maintain good health and prevent complications,” Shleifer said.

Aside from Fibronostics, Vigos also has investments in MedGrocer and Tikehau-SPRIM. It has also built its own suite of health technology products including VigosEMR, an Electronic Medical Records and Clinic Information System, which is being used across all FamilyDOC clinics, and Vigos CARE.

Borromeo said Ayala Healthcare aims to build an ecosystem that links every patient to a seamless healthcare experience. Its portfolio includes Generika Drugstore, the pioneer in generic retail pharmacies, and FamilyDOC, a new chain of community-based primary care clinics.