Meet Paul Christie, CEO And Co-founder Of Diagnostic Tech Experts: Tachmed

Tell us about Tachmed

At Tachmed, we are developing an intuitive health tech device that allows people to self-test for a range of conditions from the comfort of their own home, without the need for a doctor’s appointment.

The device instantly and securely delivers accurate data with relevant parties via machine learning and artificial intelligence technology.

Healthcare practitioners then immediately have the information they need for treatment or to prescribe medication. Essentially, the technology is providing a person with data about the state of their health in real-time, you could say it’s a consultation with a doctor via a virtual front door

We believe a device like this will transform how people access healthcare and manage their own health. We hope it could also help struggling healthcare systems reduce waiting lists, as well as those living in remote or underserved locations to access health services digitally, if a surgery or clinic is not within easy reach.

We see an opportunity for the data from our device to be used by global health teams and governments to monitor trends and assist in future pandemic prevention planning.

There is also scope for it to be used by relief teams in disaster situations to monitor the spread of diseases and get treatment to people quicker.

How did you come up with the idea for the company?

The idea for Tachmed was born while I was working in Africa. I noticed there was a shortage of doctors on the ground who were able to reach remote populations.

Despite being able to speak to patients over the phone, these clinicians were unable to effectively diagnose their conditions remotely and I realised that mobile phone technology could connect them with the communities where they’re needed much faster and quicker.

I saw the untapped potential of how a digital device could bridge the gap in the digital health ecosystem globally and transform the next generation of mobile or remote health services.

I have a strong ambition to change the way people connect with their local health services and have a vision of people all over the world using the device to pinpoint illnesses and take control of their own health.

Our device makes at-home testing safe, easy and affordable and means that with rapid diagnosis and treatment, high-quality healthcare is no longer reserved just for the wealthiest people.

How has the company evolved over the last couple of years?

Tachmed was founded in 2018. We recently embarked on our series A funding round and have been working to secure regulatory approval from the FDA, MHRA and EMA.

We now have a fully functional device that has been developed by a talented team of engineers and scientists, which will be able to test for a range of conditions – from chronic illnesses to flu, Covid-19 and viral infections.

What can we hope to see from Tachmed in the future?

I believe it’s important to have a more democratic, accessible, and precise healthcare system around the world, and technology can facilitate this shift.

Our device could have a huge impact on community health and we aim to keep developing the product to ensure it meets the needs of our most vulnerable global residents.

A recent report by the Reform think tank highlighted the growing, “hidden” waiting list of patients waiting for diagnosis and referral for onward care.

It also highlighted the growing challenge to NHS Trusts trying to monitor this epidemiological transition post-pandemic.

As we prepare to launch our device early next year in the US I hope residents will see for themselves the potential it has to transform how they access their local health services, and how they can take control of their own health.