The student startup changing heart care

In 2018, first-year University of Auckland science student Will Hewitt heard cardiologist Dr Patrick Gladding describe how clinicians spent hours manually reviewing heart scans. Convinced that artificial intelligence could do the job faster and more consistently, the 18-year-old put his studies on hold, and teamed up with Gladding to found HeartLab.

Initially, the nascent heart scan analysis company moved into Cloud 9 - the medical technologies start-up hub at the University’s Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI).

With early-stage funding from UniServices (the University’s commercialisation arm), and input from ABI researchers, Hewitt developed a heart imaging platform, and a business to get it out to clinicians and patients.

HeartLab’s system takes echocardiograms (ultrasounds which produce live, moving pictures of the heart from high frequency sound waves) and uses artificial intelligence to analyse the scans to identify valve leaks, heart muscle failure, infections or blood flow problems.

The technology, which can be used remotely, replaces what can be a mundane and time-consuming task for clinicians trying to work out what’s wrong with a particular patient.

Eight years later, Hewitt’s company has 10 staff, has raised $8 million in venture capital funding, and has just won a major contract for its technology to be used in Australia’s largest cardiology chain, Advara HeartCare.

The deal will see HeartLab’s software rolled out to 100 clinics, where it will be used by 130 cardiologists and 160 cardiac sonographers.

The company maintains scientific and funding links with the University of Auckland and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute.

“We’re proud to see HeartLab reaching this scale internationally,” says UniServices executive director of investment, Will Charles.

“UniServices provided early-stage funding and wrap-around support, and it’s been great to watch the team turn their strong research and clinical insight into a product that’s now making a tangible difference for clinicians and patients across multiple health systems.”

Auckland Bioengineering Institute deputy director Professor Martyn Nash is a global expert in the electro-mechanical activity of the heart and was chief scientific officer at HeartLab in the early days, as the company developed its technology.

“They have a strong customer focus, and platform performance through extremely efficient/lean and portable product design. It's not surprising that their customer base is growing,” Nash says.

“HeartLab is now setting the standard for ease and speed of heart image reporting in New Zealand and Australia.”

Will Hewitt recognises the importance of the University in the foundation of HeartLab, both in terms of its science and its commercialisation.

“I was fortunate to have strong support early on. Being part of the Return on Science committee was great exposure, and helped introduce me to the startup ecosystem.

“Peter Hunter, Martyn Nash and Diana Siew at the Auckland Bioengineering Institute were especially important in those early stages.”