In 2010, Azadeh Dastmalchi's journey toward transforming healthcare began with a personal challenge. Her father's aversion to traditional blood pressure cuffs inspired her to explore alternative solutions. This spark ignited a decade-long pursuit during her master's and PhD studies at the University of Ottawa, where she developed a groundbreaking method for measuring blood pressure using optical sensors and artificial neural networks.
By 2019, Dastmalchi had transformed her academic research into a business venture, founding VitalTracer, a Canadian startup focused on creating advanced medical devices. Initially centered on a smartwatch, the company faced challenges convincing investors of its potential in a market dominated by tech giants like Apple and Fitbit. This skepticism, coupled with concerns about the accuracy of wrist-based measurements, led to a pivotal shift: VitalTracer refocused its efforts on a chest-mounted smart patch. The patch offered greater reliability and garnered trust from medical professionals, investors, and regulatory bodies alike.
Redefining the Pediatric Healthcare Market
While the senior care market seemed a natural starting point, Dastmalchi's team quickly realized it was fraught with logistical barriers, particularly in Canada's public healthcare system. Instead, they pivoted to pediatric care, addressing a critical gap in monitoring technology designed specifically for children.
Unlike competitors who focus on adult or newborn patients, VitalTracer's solution targets children aged 1 to 18. Its smart patch not only delivers highly accurate readings but also offers a cost-effective alternative to disposable devices, reducing costs from $100 per day to just $1. This innovation also aligns with environmental sustainability goals, as its reusable and rechargeable design minimizes waste.
Overcoming Regulatory and Funding Challenges
VitalTracer's journey hasn't been without hurdles. Securing FDA clearance—a critical milestone for market entry—has required rigorous clinical trials, which the company is currently conducting in Montreal. Fortunately, VitalTracer has leveraged Quebec's robust ecosystem of government grants to sustain its research and development efforts.
Nicknamed the "queen of grants," Dastmalchi has skillfully navigated non-dilutive funding opportunities to support the company's growth. These grants, often matched with private investments, have provided the financial stability needed to reach this stage. Now, the company is preparing for its first pre-seed funding round to scale its operations and expand its market presence.
Diversity at the Core of Innovation
A key differentiator for VitalTracer lies in its commitment to diversity. Recognizing the limitations of existing medical technologies—often calibrated on homogenous populations—VitalTracer has prioritized inclusivity in its product development. The company's AI algorithms are designed to deliver accurate results across different skin tones and demographics, addressing racial biases that have historically plagued healthcare devices.
This focus has driven the company to seek partnerships in diverse regions, including the Middle East and Asia, where their technology can be further refined and validated for global applications.
A Vision for Global Healthcare
Looking ahead, VitalTracer is setting its sights beyond North America. While FDA approval remains a priority, the company is targeting the Middle East, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea as its primary markets. These regions offer unique growth opportunities, with underserved populations and an openness to adopting innovative healthcare solutions.
For Dastmalchi, the mission is deeply personal and humanitarian. "I dream of creating a trusted, world-class medical device that saves lives and offers peace of mind to patients and families," she says. Her vision extends beyond commercial success, focusing on improving healthcare equity worldwide, particularly in Africa, which is often overlooked by traditional medical technology companies. She hopes to find like-minded investors and partners and aims to triple the size of the team after the pre-seed round of fundraising. She will focus on the Middle East market for the next 2-3 years.
VitalTracer is planning to participate in the Healthcare+ Expo from December 5-8 at the Nankang Exhibition Center in Taiwan.
