AIDEA Tech Challenge - AI in Diagnostics for Equity & Access

The Lancet Commission on Diagnostics (2021) estimates that 47% of the global population has little to no access to diagnostic services, with the gap most severe at the primary healthcare level where only 19% of populations in low- and lower-middle-income countries have access to even the most basic diagnostic tests. Early detection through accessible screening and accurate diagnostics is fundamental to effective healthcare, yet remains out of reach for millions across Asia and the Pacific.

Artificial intelligence offers transformative potential to bridge these gaps by addressing limitations in conventional diagnostic processes, technologies, and systems. The rapid evolution of AI models and their integration into essential health technologies creates both opportunity and urgency to identify emerging, fit-for-purpose AI-enabled solutions that can support safe, ethical, and equitable access to diagnostic services in low-resource settings.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the High-Level Technology Fund with support from the Government of Japan, along with PATH launched the “AIDEA Tech Challenge - AI in Diagnostics for Equity & Access” with as an exploratory initiative to identify appropriate, affordable and accessible AI based screening and diagnostic solutions that can strengthen the diagnostic value chain in Asia and Pacific by integrating ecosystem enablers and facilitating market access. The challenge sought innovations aligned with the WHO Essential Diagnostic List and responsive to national health priorities across the region, with focus on solutions feasible for deployment in low-resource primary healthcare settings.

Following a process that assessed technical readiness, validation evidence, and alignment with regional health needs, 12 finalists were selected from 107 applications spanning 19 countries: five (5) innovations in AI-enabled confirmatory diagnostics and seven in AI-based population screening.  The grand finale event took place on 28th November 2025 at the Innovation Hub, ADB Headquarters , Manila.

The event brought together finalists with a distinguished group of expert advisors from government health agencies, development institutions, academic research centers, and the private sector to facilitate ecosystem validation and pathway discussions. Each team presented their innovation in a 7-minute pitch, followed by substantive dialogue with advisors who provided technical feedback and insights on market access strategies relevant to contexts in Asia and the Pacific.

This exchange was important in validating technical approaches and identifying pathways to scale in target healthcare settings. The finalist teams will be featured in a compendium showcasing their innovations, technical specifications, and potential for advancing diagnostic equity across the region.

ADB and PATH recognize all 12 finalists as validated innovations with demonstrated potential to advance diagnostic equity in Asia and the Pacific. Each represents a meaningful contribution to addressing the diagnostic access gap that affects millions across the region.

• Diagnostic Innovations:

• Arogyam Medisoft Solution
• BrainCapture
• Evalyn Healthcare Solutions
• Hugobiotech
• Qritive

• Screening Innovations:

• AiSteth
• Molbio Diagnostics
• Neodocs
• OUI INC
• Periwinkle Technologies
• Remidio AI
• Sproxil

 

Expert Advisors:

1. Prof. Alvin B. Marcelo, Director, Asia e-Health Information Network; President, Asia Pacific Association for Medical Informatics
2. Dr. Hoon Sang Lee, Chief Strategy Officer, RIGHT Fund
3. Dr. Jae Kyoun Kim, Health Specialist, ADB
4. Dr. Jonas Karlstrom, Associate Professor and Core Lead, Innovation in Global Health, SingHealth Duke-NUS Global Health Institute
5. Pak Setiaji, Senior Advisor to the Minister on Health Technology, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia
6. Mr. Sameer Kanwar, Director - Digital, AI and MedTech, PATH