Canary Is Expanding Vocal Biomarker Detection to MS

Canary Speech, a provider of vocal biomarker technology, is partnering with Intermountain Ventures, the venture capital and innovation arm of Intermountain Health, to launch a study aimed at identifying multiple sclerosis (MS) using vocal biomarkers.

This research seeks to explore how subtle vocal patterns, analyzed using Canary Speech's artificial intelligence technology, could be used to reveal early indicators of MS,.

The study, led by Dr. Timothy West, a neurologist at Intermountain Health's Salt Lake Clinic in Utah, will collect and analyze voice samples from patients in the area to determine if Canary Speech's AI-driven algorithms can accurately identify individuals with MS through vocal features.

With more than 2.9 million people worldwide affected by MS, the results of this study could pave the way for new, non-invasive diagnostic tools that enable earlier detection, significantly improving outcomes and quality of life.

"We chose to work with Intermountain Health because they are leading the way in adopting innovative technologies to serve their patients better," said Henry O'Connell, co-founder and CEO of Canary Speech, in a statement. "Partnering on this critical study will hopefully allow us to screen for MS earlier and improve the quality of care for millions of patients."

"The ability to use voice to identify MS would offer a quick, non-invasive screening tool, enabling us to deliver faster care to patients," Dr. West said in a statement. "We're thrilled to collaborate with Canary Speech and leverage their innovative technology in this pioneering study."

By focusing on non-invasive, voice-based diagnostics, Canary Speech aims to offer an accessible alternative to current MS screeningmethods. The company's passive listening technology has already been successful in identifying neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.