As we transition into shorter days, darker evenings, and a whack of wet and chilly weather we most definitely need to identify our motivators for movement. For me, at this time of year I am always motivated to get outside and witness the leaves and light changing. Why do the vibrant autumn colours surrounding my childhood home touch my soul? Nostalgia? Comfort?
And then just to be certain that there is balance in the day, wicked winds and rain pummel the trees and we are now left with gorgeous piles of ruby and orange carpets for a lawn. Perfect bunches of leaves to kick, throw in the air or roll around in. Or rake.
I am jolted back to a sense of wonder when watching the neighbourhood kids play in the foliage – roll, run, jump, pitch, and play. What is the adult equivalent to such inspiration? What is your motivation to move?
A GLOBAL REPORT ON THE HIGH COST OF INACTIVITY
The WHO delivered compelling motivation to get moving earlier in October when they released their first ever report on the costs linked with physical inactivity. Within the associated Lancet published research, the cost of inaction was summarized to include the following:
Almost 500 million new cases of preventable major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) would occur globally, with direct health care costs of INT$ 520 billion by 2030 if the current prevalence of physical inactivity does not change. The cost of treatment and management of NCDs varied . . . type 2 diabetes accounted for 2% of these preventable cases but 9% of all costs.
Let’s do our part to eliminate the ‘if’ physical inactivity continues.
ENABLING MOVEMENT IN THE RELENTLESS PORTFOLIO
Innovative technologies including high fidelity sensors delivering the world’s first ‘smart orthopedic’ to the market as well dynamic smart insoles for management of diabetic foot care have been developed by Relentless portfolio companies Canary Medical and Orpyx Medical.
Both companies shared some exciting developments in October.
Orpyx Medical
Did you know in Alberta, there is one amputation every 22 hours resulting from a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU)? Furthermore, Diabetes is a particularly devastating disease for Indigenous populations in Canada, with 17.2% of on-reserve Indigenous populations diagnosed with diabetes compared to 10% of non-Indigenous populations. With such skewed statistics pointing toward a heightened risk of developing DFUs, foot health monitoring and the promotion of movement are essential elements of diabetic care continuity. Orpyx smart insoles facilitate an individual’s ability to manage DFU and amputation risk.
We are proud that the Orpyx team has launched a new collaboration with Siksika Health Services to help eliminate foot complications for patients with type 2 diabetes. Siksika Nation is located one hour east of Calgary, with a population of more than 8,000 people, and is considered one of Canada’s most technologically advanced and progressive First Nation communities.
In PR underscoring the importance of the collaboration, Orpyx Founder and CEO, Dr. Breanne Everett stated,
“Our long-term goal is to support Siksika Health Services in building a sustainable and cost-effective remote patient monitoring pathway for the delivery of quality health care to the Siksika Nation community.”
Dr. Tyler White, CEO of Siksika Health Services said:
“Partnerships and access to technology like this allow Siksika Health Services to assist our Nation members who live with diabetes like never before, it’s about quality of life and health improvement, which is ultimately what we are after here”.
Canary Medical
Also, on the topic of advancing meaningful solutions in remote patient monitoring, Dr Bill Hunter shared a first peek at a new tool developed by Canary’s Data & Informatics team. The tool facilitates remote patient monitoring, as well as supporting recovery for patients who have opted for the Canary/Zimmer Biomet ‘smart’ total knee replacement. The new recovery curves address fuss in the digital health community, and of course the clinical teams asking, ‘but where are the insights from all of this data’? In Dr Hunter’s own words:
A valid criticism of patient monitoring data is, “What does it mean and how do I use it?” The “smart” device industry – both wearable and implantable – has been guilty of hype over substance, or perhaps more accurately, selling “what could be possible” instead of “what currently is possible.” Remote patient monitoring, digital diagnostics, patient alerts, and predictive analytics are all possible, but there are specific steps required to achieve them.”
In case you missed Bill’s LinkedIn post, take a look here at his full commentary as well as the new recovery curves that will be rolled out in November. These new analytics tools will serve as a consistent, impactful data reference to facilitate acute recovery by an entire care team.
RELENTLESS MEDIA NOTE
Ah recovery. If only we saw more of it in the markets.
In case you missed it, William Johnson at Vancouver Tech Journal asked me to provide a few insights, alongside a couple of investment peers, on the decline in Canadian venture investment activity in the first half of this year. My general sentiment, ‘The Drop Was Predictable’. And we must adapt.
CONCLUDING NOTE ON IMPACT
Relentless is, and always has been an impact investor. As a life science, health technology investor every investment we make is underpinned with the objective of improving health and overall wellbeing. Every single investment in innovation that we make. The potential impact with new remote patient monitoring tools alone is set to shift the continuum of care possibilities.
Underscoring our intention, here are a few notes taken straight from our impact investment strategy document:
The Relentless Triple Aim
For a company to be considered for investment by RVF, we must identify clear answers to at least two of the following queries . . .
1. Does the company produce substantially better health outcomes?
2. Does the company improve the patient experience? Is the patient empowered to manage their own health in their own home? Is there patient behaviour change?
3. Does the company dramatically lower healthcare costs or lead to lower costs?
With an established leadership presence across Canada, Relentless will continue to invest in disruptive, data driven early-stage health technologies that address material gaps in both preventative health and chronic disease management. And with specific intention to provide solutions that meet the needs of our aging demographic, as well as experience in making these investments, we look forward to putting more capital to work with Fund II.
A wee joke for today’s closing giggle:
Guy: I can’t go for a walk. I am exhausted from all the CrossFit this morning.
Guy’s Buddy: It’s pronounced croissant.
Wishing everyone a smooth transition into shorter days and locking in some movement motivation.