Dive Brief:
- Google DeepMind announced a partnership on Tuesday with Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
- The partnership will study if machine learning technology can be used to analyze eye scans in hopes to lead to earlier detection and interventions for eye degeneration.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in the U.K., DeepMind noted.
Dive Insight:
"Every single day - in the U.K. alone - nearly 200 people lose sight from the severe, blinding form of this condition and globally the number of people with AMD is set to rise to nearly 200 million by 2020," DeepMind stated.
Google bought DeepMind in 2014 in a move to expand its artificial intelligence presence, LifeHealthPro noted.
Moorfields is set to share a set of a million deidentified eye scans and related deidentified information on eye conditions and disease management.
The move is in line with Alphabet's, Google's parent company, target to tackle age-related diseases.
As noted in the company's Q1 2016 earnings report in February, Google's internet and ad business propelled Alphabet to surpass Apple as the world’s most valuable company. However, its “Other Bets” category -- which includes healthcare -- had an operating loss of $3.57 billion for 2015. The quarter was the first earnings report to separate Google’s search and advertising business from Alphabet’s “Other Bets."
Alphabet's Q2 2016 earnings call will be held on July 28.