Medical AI Innovator Ada Health launches global partnership to help speed up diagnosis for people with immunological diseases and rare conditions

Berlin, Germany – May 13, 2021 – Ada Health today announced the launch of a new global partnership with Novartis, as part of a shared commitment to improve the lives of patients. The partnership will see Novartis use Ada Health’s advanced AI-based, clinically validated, symptom assessment and care navigation solutions to help improve the identification and diagnosis of a number of immunologic and rare diseases. One of the priority conditions that Ada and Novartis are focused on is Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA), along with Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) and Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Axial Spondyloarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that encompasses radiographic (Ankylosing Spondylitis or AS) and non-radiographic (nr-axSpA) forms. It is a rheumatic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. It can lead to chronic pain, structural damage and disability. Affecting around one in 200 adults, typically those in their mid-20’s, axSpA is notoriously difficult to identify. Timely diagnosis is a critical factor for a patient’s future quality of life but symptoms can present in many ways and be indicative of other conditions. Worldwide, the delay to diagnosis averages about five years - with women taking two years longer than men to be diagnosed.

One of the challenges in receiving an accurate diagnosis of axSpA is the absence of definitive diagnostic criteria, and as a result it is often mistaken for mechanical back pain, fibromyalgia or psoriatic arthritis. To address this challenge, the Ada Health team has further developed and optimized computerized disease models that aid differentiation of the signs and symptoms of conditions that may appear similar in nature. At the end of an assessment, users are offered a number of options to help them take next steps. Options include learning more about axSpA, booking an appointment with a doctor or finding a specialist located near to them. All data from these assessments are encrypted to ensure that the user’s data is protected and remains confidential.

Vanessa Lemarié, Senior Vice President of Life Sciences and Rare Diseases at Ada Health commented: “Our global partnership builds on an existing collaboration between Ada Health and Novartis and starts with the integration of Ada - deployed in multiple local languages - into Novartis’ disease awareness sites around the world. It is hoped that having undertaken the assessment, users will be in a better position to have an informed discussion with their healthcare professional and get to the right answers and the right diagnosis faster than before.”

Ada is a global health company founded by doctors, scientists and industry pioneers to create new possibilities for personal health. Its core system connects medical knowledge with intelligent technology to help all people actively manage their health and medical professionals to deliver effective care, and the company works with leading health providers and organizations to carry out this vision. The Ada platform has over 10 million users worldwide, and has completed 20 million assessments since its global launch in 2016. To learn more, visit https://ada.com.

Jonathan Muck

Senior Communications & Public Affairs Manager, Ada Health

E-Mail: [email protected]

Daniel Nathrath

CEO, Ada Health

E-Mail: [email protected]

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements relating to Ada Health and Novartis (the “companies”) and their businesses. Although the companies believe their expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, all statements other than statements of historical fact included in this announcement about future events are subject to (i) change without notice and (ii) factors beyond the company’s control. These statements may include, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by, or including words such as “target,” “believe,” “expect,” “aim,” “intend,” “may,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “will,” “can have,” “likely,” “should,” “would,” “could”, and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. Except as required by law, the companies assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.



Also, the assessment provided by Ada Health is not intended for diagnostic purposes, and does not perform a direct diagnosis. Ada is designed to help people better understand their health, by providing a range of possible causes for symptoms and information to help people navigate to appropriate care. Ada is not intended to replace a doctor. You should always consult a medical professional when seeking a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice.