Mountain View, CA – Think you have health condition? Ask Google. No, I don’t mean opening your web browser and entering in a few keywords. Instead, consult your wearable device that is scanning your cells, looking for any abnormalities that may be indicative of a medical condition.
Sound like science fiction? Well, Google recently applied and was granted a patent that creates such a device. According to the patent application, the device uses magnetic particles that interact with the body’s cells in order to detect a variety of different conditions.
This is Google’s latest entry into the healthcare realm, previously developing a pill that would perform a similar function. In 2014, the company partnered with Novartis, a multinational pharmaceutical company, to develop a smart contact lens which measures glucose levels and has the ability to send real-time updates to your smartphone. “Our dream is to use the latest technology in the miniaturization of electronics to help improve the quality of life for millions of people,” Google founder Sergey Brin wrote in a Novartis press release.
The wristband has the ability to dramatically shift the way we diagnose disease, create individualized treatment plans, and think about our medical conditions. This sparks the continuing conversations about utilizing data and population health trends to build, and ultimately, trust technology in the healthcare space.
About the Author:
As Managing Director of Innovation and Insights for Syneos Health Communications, Leigh is responsible for building and scaling a global team of healthcare experts who together help life science leaders better understand the complex lives, influences and expectations of their customers. Specifically, they uncover actionable insights that fuel empathy and creativity; lead co-creation events that let marketers learn from peers, trends, and new possibilities; and help clients identify the most valuable and useful new customer experiences to create.
Leigh has worked with Fortune 1000 companies to craft their digital, mobile, social and CRM strategies for nearly 20 years.She’s worked for category-leading agencies in retail, public affairs, B2B technology, and higher education. Prior to moving to Syneos Health Communications, she held several leadership roles at our largest agency, GSW. There, she founded an innovation practice fueled by the zeitgeist and spearheaded digital and innovation thinking across the business.
Leigh has taken a special interest in complex healthcare products that can change lives in meaningful ways. She was recently a strategic lead on the 3rd largest launch in pharmaceutical history: Tecfidera. Before that she had keys roles with Eli Lilly Oncology, Abbott Nutrition, Amgen Cardiovascular, and Eli Lilly Diabetes.
A critical part of Leigh’s work is trends and new ideas. Every year, she convenes a group of trend watchers from across our global network to identify the shifts most critical to healthcare marketers. This year, she led over 250 experts to experts to focus on the most important changes in the commercial, consumer, marketing, digital and healthcare landscapes. (See reports at trends.health)
Leigh is a sought-after writer and speaker. Recognized as one of the most inspiring people in the pharmaceutical industry by PharmaVoice and Top 10 Innovation Catalysts of 2017 by MM&M, Leigh also was recognized as a Rising Star by the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) for her overt passion, industry thought leadership and significant contributions in new business, strategy and mentoring.
