Our entrepreneurs: Sotirios Bisdas

In our latest #OurEntrepreneurs profile we meet cohort 7 Clinical Entrepreneur Sotirios Bisdas, Consultant Neuroradiologist.

Tell us a bit about yourself 

I am Consultant Neuroradiologist, Clinical and MRI Lead in the Department of Neuroradiology at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, Associate Professor in Neuroradiology at the University College London, Professor of Radiology at the Eberhard Karls University in Tübingen (Germany), and Adjunct Professor of Neuroradiology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

I hold an honorary appointment as Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Messina, an M.Sc. degree in “Advanced Oncology” and I am a Fellow of the European Society of Head and Neck Radiology.

My clinical and research imaging expertise spans over advanced cross-sectional and molecular imaging in brain, head and neck, and spine diseases as well as AI applications in neuroimaging. I have authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and 10 book chapters. Currently, I am leading the neurooncology imaging research at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and AI in Neuroradiology special interest group of the British Society of Neuroradiology. I also serve as a member of the editorial board in several leading journals in Radiology and Neuroradiology.

Why did you apply to the programme and what are you looking forward to?

I found out about the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme through online searches and LinkedIn advertisements/previous participants’ stories. I decided to apply due to my desire to bring my AI-applications in neuroimaging ideas to life, to improve patient care, and to achieve financial success and sustainability for my upcoming start-up company. 

I expect that participating in the programme, I will receive training and education in key areas such as product development, business planning, and marketing; will enjoy recognition for my innovative ideas and have the opportunity to showcase my work to a wider audience. I would like to enhance my network with other stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem and have access to a range of financial and non-financial resources, including incubation space, and expertise, to help bring the ideas to life.

Tell us about your innovation  

I have incepted the idea of a smart algorithm, implemented seamlessly in the radiology’s scanner and PACS systems to enable real-time expert reading of brain MRI scans. This project aims to address the need for timely accurate reporting of the steadily increasing number of complex MRI scans. A need that is unmet due the shortage of experts leading to backlog and a knock-on effect accounting for longer time for the treatment, poorer patient outcomes and inflated healthcare costs.

I came up with the idea after a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology found that there is a shortage of radiologists in many parts of the world, leading to longer wait times for patients and increased costs for healthcare systems. Another stimulus came from the report published by the Radiological Society of North America (https://www.rsna.org/news/2022/may/Global-Radiologist-Shortage) highlighting the need for increased efficiency in radiology, including the use of technology such as AI, to address the challenges posed by increasing demand for imaging services. I was also inspired by the paper on “The role of radiologist in the changing world of healthcare” (https://insightsimaging.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13244-022-01241-4).

Overall, the impact of my innovative product which enables AI-driven interpretation of radiology scans is largely positive and has the potential to significantly improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. By improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing the time required for interpretation, this innovation can help reduce healthcare costs and wait times for patients, leading to a more positive patient experience.

What motivates you? 

I am motivated to make a mark by creating something new, unique, and impactful, to leave a legacy in the healthcare imaging industry. I want to support solving the current healthcare challenge in imaging demand and capacity as creating change is a strong driver for my life. 

What are your ambitions for the next year?

It’s important for me to set ambitious yet achievable goals that align with my company’s vision and values. For the next year, I aspire to improve the product-market fit, secure funding for sustainable growth, and build a high-performing team that will improve the R&D and expand its reach through new partnerships and customers.          

Why do you think innovation is important in healthcare?

Healthcare innovation has the potential to transform the way healthcare is delivered and improve the health and wellbeing of people everywhere. It can improve patient outcomes, can address healthcare challenges, including an aging population, increasing rates of chronic disease, and limited resources. Additionally, it can drive economic growth, and is crucial for staying ahead of the curve and maintaining a competitive advantage.

How can we find out more?

Please visit https://medicon.ai/for more information.