HeraMED’s $1.25M AI Project Targets Pre-Term Delivery Risks in CALD Populations
HeraMED has partnered with RMIT University and the Digital Health CRC to develop AI-driven maternity care models focused on culturally diverse populations, aiming to improve pre-term delivery risk prediction and personalised care.
- Research partnership valued at $1.25 million over 18 months
- Integration of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) data into HeraCARE platform
- Development of AI models to predict pre-term delivery linked to socio-economic factors
- Commercialisation of new AI intellectual property through licensing agreements
- Project to onboard 200 pregnant women for data collection and model training
A Strategic Collaboration to Enhance Maternity Care
HeraMED Limited (ASX – HMD), a pioneer in digital maternity health technology, has announced a significant research partnership with RMIT University and the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC). This collaboration aims to harness artificial intelligence to improve maternity outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women in Australia, a group historically underrepresented in maternal health datasets.
The $1.25 million project, titled "New AI Models to Assess Risk of Pre-Term Delivery Linked to Socio-Economic Factors," will run over 18 months and involve the enrolment of 200 pregnant women. These participants will contribute clinical, biometric, lifestyle, and genetic data through HeraMED's HeraCARE platform, which integrates remote monitoring devices like HeraBEAT.
Addressing Diversity and Bias in Maternal Health Data
One of the project's core objectives is to tackle the gaps in maternity care caused by the lack of diverse data representation. With over half of Australians having at least one parent born overseas, the inclusion of CALD women is critical to developing AI models that are equitable and clinically relevant. HeraMED’s CEO, Anoushka Gungadin, emphasised that current datasets often lead to biased diagnostics and treatment, underscoring the need for culturally informed healthcare solutions.
By integrating socio-economic factors alongside genomic and biometric data, the project seeks to create AI-driven predictive tools that can provide real-time risk assessments for pre-term delivery. These tools are expected to support clinicians in delivering personalised care pathways, improving outcomes while potentially reducing healthcare costs.
Commercial and Technological Implications
The partnership not only advances HeraMED’s commitment to innovation but also aligns with its commercialisation strategy. The new AI models and associated intellectual property will be licensed jointly between HeraMED, RMIT, and DHCRC, opening avenues for subscription-based services and integration into broader health systems. The project also includes regulatory compliance and pathway mapping to facilitate future scaled rollout.
DHCRC CEO Annette Schmiede highlighted the broader social impact, noting that improved access to data and digital innovation can help overcome barriers faced by women from diverse backgrounds, ultimately leading to more equitable healthcare delivery.
Looking Ahead
With ethics approvals and recruitment underway, the collaboration is poised to deliver a validated AI model and clinical decision-support tools within the project timeline. The integration of diverse datasets into HeraCARE could set a new standard for maternity care in Australia and beyond, reflecting a growing trend towards personalised, data-driven healthcare.
Bottom Line?
HeraMED’s partnership signals a promising step toward inclusive, AI-powered maternity care, but success hinges on clinical validation and market adoption.
Questions in the middle?
- How will HeraMED ensure the AI models effectively address biases inherent in existing datasets?
- What are the commercial terms and revenue expectations from licensing the new AI intellectual property?
- How quickly can the HeraCARE platform scale integration with third-party health systems post-project?
