#466 – Vasiliki “Vicky” Demas, CEO at identifeye HEALTH

From Astronaut Aspirations to Healthcare Innovation

Vasiliki (Vicky) Demas, CEO of Identifeye Health, has had a remarkable journey, from her initial dream of joining NASA to spearheading innovations in eye care. Trained as a chemical engineer and physical chemist, Vicky’s early work in magnetic resonance set the stage for her transition into healthcare. Her passion for using technology to solve real-world problems has driven her 25-year career, during which she has contributed to transformative projects at startups and major organizations like Google Life Sciences (now Verily) and Grail.

The Strategic Rebrand: From Tesseract to identifeye HEALTH

In 2021, Vicky took the helm of what was then known as Tesseract Health. The company, originally named after the fourth-dimensional cube from Marvel lore, was rebranded to identifeye HEALTH under her leadership. This rebrand was not just a change in name but a shift in focus. By emphasizing a more descriptive and accessible identity, the company now highlights its mission to make eye disease detection more reachable, starting with diabetic retinopathy. The clever wordplay in “identifeye,” where “eye” replaces the “y,” underscores the company’s commitment to eye health.

AI at the Forefront of Early Detection

identifeye HEALTH’s flagship technology uses AI to automate the process of eye disease detection. Traditionally, diagnosing conditions like diabetic retinopathy required specialized equipment and highly trained professionals. By automating image capture and interpretation, identifeye HEALTH’s platform aims to make these diagnostics available in primary care settings, significantly improving accessibility. This technology holds promise not just for diabetic retinopathy but for a broader range of retinal biomarkers that could be key to early disease detection.

Bridging the Gap: Making Eye Care Accessible to All

A significant part of identifeye HEALTH’s mission is to address the accessibility gap in healthcare, particularly in underserved communities. With over 38 million Americans living with diabetes, regular eye screening is crucial, yet compliance rates are low, largely due to the inconvenience and cost of specialist visits. identifeye HEALTH’s AI-driven platform seeks to change this by enabling point-of-care screenings that are easy, affordable, and accessible, particularly in primary care settings. This approach could drastically reduce the incidence of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy, especially in communities with limited access to specialized care.

What’s Next for identifeye HEALTH?

Looking ahead, identifeye HEALTH is gearing up for a commercial launch of its first AI-based screening product. As they await FDA approval, the company remains focused on refining their technology and expanding its applications to help even more patients. The future is bright for identifeye HEALTH as they continue to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve in healthcare.