Spokane Researcher Invents Tool to Be Used by Clinicians During Well-Child Exams
Read Time: 2 minutes, 27 seconds
Spokane’s healthcare and life sciences industry is making headlines with a groundbreaking innovation in autism detection. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), in collaboration with Dr. Georgina Lynch, will deploy a revolutionary medical device designed to improve early autism diagnosis in young children.
What if a simple tool could change the way autism is detected in young children?
The device, which can detect an atypical pupil light reflex and the likelihood of autism within 24 months of birth, is a handheld tool to be used by clinicians during well-child exams. Earlier indications lead to care at younger ages.
Dr. Georgina Lynch recently joined Schweitzer Engineering as principal scientist after inventing and developing the prototype while at Washington State University and local biotech firm, Appiture Biotechnologies.
Appiture Biotechnologies, formerly led by Dr. Lynch, received grant dollars for business support services, administered by GSI in 2020 – 2021, early in its journey to provide business assistance with software, legal and accounting services, and an industry association membership – all of which were crucial in accelerating its growth and supporting medical innovation.
GSI’s Role as a Designated ADO: Empowering Spokane’s Life Sciences Innovation
GSI was awarded a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to provide support services to benefit small life science and health-related technology sector businesses in Washington state. From those dollars, GSI created two cohorts of businesses that could apply for assistance and funding. Appiture Biotechnologies was one of four companies included in GSI’s second life sciences cohort.
The two cohorts, funding, and the business assistance provided are part of a larger initiative led by GSI called Life Sciences Spokane. The initiative aims to create a comprehensive, world-class center of health sciences, which includes medical education, life sciences research, and commercialization. The initiative started more than a decade ago (called VISION 2030) and is anticipated to create more than 9,000 jobs and $1.7 billion in economic impact by 2030.
GSI is Spokane County’s dedicated Associate Economic Development Organization (ADO) and works to build our economy and create a thriving Spokane region. ADOs are collaborating partners with the Washington State Department of Commerce and serve as the lead on local economic development activities in their county.
Get Involved in Spokane’s Life Sciences Growth
Spokane is becoming a hub for life science and medical innovation, and GSI is at the forefront – connecting businesses and organizations, advocating for medical, research, and education dollars, working to fill the life sciences and healthcare workforce gap, and providing business support services for those that need it. Whether you’re looking to support healthcare and life sciences initiatives, explore new opportunities, or get connected with a network of industry leaders, GSI is here to help.
Join GSI today
Join GSI today to be part of Spokane’s exciting future in life sciences and medical technology. Together, we can continue driving innovation, creating new opportunities for growth, and solidifying Spokane’s position as a leader in health and life sciences.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Related Articles
About Life Sciences Spokane
Appiture Biotechnologies
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories to Produce Medical Device for Autism Detection
