Crystal Lake, Ill. — Aptar Digital Health has announced a new licensing agreement with global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to develop artificial intelligence-powered screening algorithms aimed at improving early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic conditions.
The collaboration focuses on leveraging AI to create a novel, non-invasive screening method that could be used during routine eye exams. The technology is built on AstraZeneca’s earlier development work, which involved analyzing thousands of biomarkers and diagnostic data points to detect early signs of CKD—an often undiagnosed yet potentially life-threatening condition affecting up to 16% of the global population.
While CKD is frequently associated with diabetes and hypertension, it also arises from a range of other causes including infections, environmental factors, and genetic predisposition. Late detection of CKD can lead to severe complications, including end-stage kidney disease, cardiovascular events, and increased mortality. Detecting the disease in its early stages, especially through primary care, is critical to improving patient outcomes.
The AI-based algorithm, which will be integrated into fundus imaging systems used in eye exams, mirrors existing technologies used to screen for diabetic retinopathy. By analyzing retinal images, ophthalmologists may soon be able to identify early indicators of CKD, providing a powerful new tool for proactive disease management.
“We are delighted to collaborate with AstraZeneca to advance this innovative and non-intrusive method to support earlier identification of CKD,” said Gael Touya, President of Aptar Pharma. “This initiative broadens Aptar Digital Health’s footprint in digital diagnostics and biomarker-based detection technologies.”
Romain Marmot, President of Aptar Digital Health, emphasized the potential clinical impact of the partnership. “Early detection and timely treatment can dramatically improve outcomes for patients with chronic kidney disease. This collaboration allows us to deliver a smarter, more efficient pathway to diagnosis and care.”
AstraZeneca also sees the partnership as a significant step toward addressing a pressing global health issue. “CKD remains one of the most significant health challenges worldwide, with low diagnosis rates continuing to limit effective treatment,” said Mina Makar, Senior Vice President of Cardiovascular, Renal, and Metabolism at AstraZeneca. “This partnership reflects our commitment to drive innovation in diagnostics and deliver meaningful solutions for patients.”
Once development is complete, the screening tool will undergo clinical evaluation in preparation for regulatory approval and market entry. Aptar Digital Health plans to work with pharmaceutical partners, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare systems to bring the technology to market.
This initiative marks another step forward in Aptar Digital Health’s mission to harness AI and data science in building scalable, patient-centric digital health solutions that support earlier and more effective interventions across the healthcare landscape.
