Artificial Intelligence Predicts Allergies in Newborns

Dr. Ari Kellen is a strategic advisor and board member in the health care and technology fields. Dr. Ari Kellen is currently a strategic advisor to MyOr, a company using artificial intelligence to predict and prevent allergies in newborn babies.

Founded in 2018, MyOr is based in Tel Aviv, Israel. The company uses artificial intelligence models and predictive data from allergy studies produced around the globe. These models can help predict if babies are at risk for severe allergies or atopic dermatitis/eczema.

The founders of the company have experience in a variety of health care fields. Professor Ron Kohen was in The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s School of Pharmacy, Dr. Ariel Katz is a serial entrepreneur, and Dr. Michael Brandwein is a scientist and innovator. MyOr’s technology uses their combined knowledge to not only predict allergies in babies, but also attempt to prevent them as children grow older.

Babies are first assessed through a parent questionnaire, which identifies any family history of allergies. The doctors also carry out a skin functionality test, which helps determine the amount of risk a baby has for certain allergies. Doctors are then able to prescribe certain foods and skin creams for babies to help slowly introduce allergens at a young age and hopefully prevent severe reactions in the future.

Non-Invasive Treatment of Varicose Veins

Based in New Jersey, Dr. Ari Kellen is a board member and strategic advisor for start-up companies in the health care and technology fields. Dr. Ari Kellen is a board member at Theraclion, which uses robot-assisted technology to perform non-invasive procedures without surgery or harmful chemicals.

Theraclion has patented the technology SONOVEIN, a robotic treatment for varicose veins. Varicose veins are a condition in which superficial veins near the skin’s surface become enlarged and twisted.

SONOVEIN uses echotherapy treatment, which places a high-intensity, focused ultrasound beam on the vein through a robotic arm. The ultrasonic thermal energy shrinks the vein in a process known as vein ablation. This is a non-invasive procedure which generally requires no surgical instruments or anesthesia. The procedure can be performed in a non-sterile environment and patients can resume their normal daily activities immediately afterward.

Theraclion is based in France and has treatment centers across Europe, including Spain, England, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.

What Is High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound?

Dr. Ari Kellen is a strategic advisor and board member for various health care and technology companies. Based in New Jersey, Dr. Ari Kellen advises several international companies working toward better patient experiences and outcomes. One such technique utilizes high-intensity, focused ultrasound technology.

High-intensity, focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive treatment for tumors and other ailments such as varicose veins. HIFU uses an ultrasound transducer, which functions much like the probe used in a prenatal ultrasound. However, the HIFU transducer produces a much more powerful beam. This technology concentrates sound waves into a small target area, which generates enough heat to destroy tissue.
HIFU has potential benefits over traditional surgery and radiation treatments. HIFU is non-invasive and does not require incisions or surgical tools. Patients do not need to undergo general anesthesia and therefore have a faster recovery time than with invasive procedures. For patients with varicose veins this emerging innovative treatment will offer a new choice compared to traditional surgical techniques.

Three Common Eye Problems

Ari Kellen is the executive vice president of Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Ari Kellen previously worked as a senior partner at McKinsey & Company and is currently in charge of the Bausch and Lomb eye care business.

Humans experience eye problems from time to time. Some of these could be mild, like itching, dryness, eye strain, or tired eyes, and they usually fade after some time and can be easily treated. However, many eye problems need professional care, especially for older people. There are many common eye problems that humans face, such as myopia, macular degeneration, and cataracts.

Myopia, or short-sightedness, is a common eye problem. It occurs when images form in front of the retina instead of on its surface. Because of this, objects far away appear blurry and out of focus, but things close by are seen perfectly. Myopia can occur when the cornea lens is too curved or if the eyeball is elongated. It can be corrected using a concave lens, medication, and surgery.

Macular degeneration, another common eye problem, affects vision by damaging the macula, the retina’s center which allows people to discern features. Macular degeneration is an age-related condition that affects people usually over 60. Macular degeneration could either be wet or dry. Wet macular degeneration occurs when blood vessels grow under the macula and leak blood and fluid, and its dry counterpart occurs when the macula thins and blurs vision over time. Dry macular degeneration is more common, and symptoms include dark spots and blurry vision. It can be managed with treatment, although it has no cure.

Cataracts are a prevalent eye problem. It is the leading cause of blindness globally, and it can materialize in people of any age and even at birth. Cataracts cloud the eye lens in one or both eyes, and it affects how people observe colors. Other symptoms include trouble seeing at night, cloudy vision, and perception of bright light. Professionals treat cataracts with a surgical process that extracts the clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial lens.

Bausch + Lomb Announces Innovative ULTRA for Presbyopia Contact Lenses

Bausch + Lomb
Image: bausch.com

Holding a leadership position with Valeant Pharmaceuticals since 2014, Dr. Ari Kellen’s responsibilities extend to oversight of Latin America, U.S. Dermatology, and U.S. Bausch + Lomb businesses. Under Dr. Ari Kellen’s guidance, U.S. Bausch + Lomb maintains robust research and development capacities and stands at the leading edge of the industry.

In February 2016 Bausch + Lomb announced the introduction of ULTRA for Presbyopia contact lenses. These lenses are designed to take the place of silicone hydrogel lenses, which are not ideal for people who spend prolonged periods working on computers and other digital devices, especially if they experience vision issues or dryness of the eyes.

The innovative new daily disposable contacts combine the 3-Zone Progressive multifocal design with proprietary MoistureSeal® technologies that ensure comfort until the end of the day. Presbyopic patients enjoy a combination of predictable, easy-to-use lenses and a wearing experience that enables excellent distance, near, and intermediate vision. Simplified fitting guidelines streamline the process of delivering outstanding multi-focal vision.

Business Strategies – Disruptive Innovation and Innovation at Scale

 

Disruptive Innovation
Image: entrepreneur.com

As a business executive tasked with overseeing strategic growth and management of large health care business sectors, Dr. Ari Kellen is well versed in business growth strategies. As executive vice president for Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Ari Kellen oversees business with several United States and Latin American companies, including Bausch & Lomb, and his past experience includes work leading studies to inform corporate strategies at McKinsey & Company.

Businesses employ a range of strategies in an attempt to grow and compete with other business in a similar market. Often, the strategy selected is based on the condition and position of the company, finances, competitors, and regulations. Two business approaches for strategic growth are the disruptive innovation strategy and innovation at scale strategy.

Disruptive innovation refers to growth through the creation of completely new products, services, or models of doing business. In a co-authored 2012 article, Dr. Kellen and McKinsey colleagues cited Apple, and discussed Innovation at scale, which refers to organizing growth and innovation that builds on the core offerings of a company.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals Announces New Management Appointment

LAVAL, Quebec, Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX and TSX: VRX) announced today that Dr. Ari Kellen has been named to Valeant’s Executive Management Team and will assume the role of Executive Vice President/Company Group Chairman, effective January 1, 2014.

Dr. Ari Kellen was a senior partner in McKinsey & Company’s Mid-Atlantic Office. Since joining McKinsey in March 1991, Ari has led numerous strategy, organization and performance improvement studies for health care companies, including corporate strategies for boards and top management teams, business unit strategies for medical device, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, and health care services clients, and regional and country growth strategies. In addition, Ari developed business model innovation and turnaround strategies as well as top level organization structure, governance and decision-making redesigns.  Ari directed performance turnarounds addressing revenue, cost, capital and change management.  Ari received a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) degree and an MBA degree, both with distinction, from the University of the Witwatersrand inSouth Africa.

“The Board of Directors and I are pleased to include Ari as another strong addition to Valeant’s senior management team,” said J. Michael Pearson, chairman and chief executive officer.  “Ari’s broad experience in developing comprehensive growth strategies for health care companies will be invaluable to us as we continue to expand our successful growth trends. After having worked with Ari for many years, I know that not only will he fit in well with the rest of the team, but he will be a strong advocate for the long-term shareholder focused culture at Valeant.”

About Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE/TSX: VRX) is a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of pharmaceutical products primarily in the areas of dermatology, eye health, neurology, and branded generics.  More information about Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. can be found at www.valeant.com.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ Diverse Products and Markets

 

Valeant Pharmaceuticals
Image: valeant.com

Dr. Ari Kellen graduated with distinction from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and has over two decades’ experience advising clients on biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals is a medical company that develops, manufactures, and markets a wide variety of branded and generic pharmaceuticals and over the counter (OTC) products sold in dozens of countries across the globe. The company also manufactures specialty medical devices such as ophthalmic surgical equipment, intraocular lenses, contact lenses, and other aesthetic devices. Valeant is present in emerging economies such as Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico), Asia Pacific (China), Middle East, and Africa, selling OTC products, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, and medical devices in different markets.

Factoring the Competition Into Product Development Planning

Ari Kellen
Image: mckinsey.com

Currently an executive with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., Dr. Ari Kellen was a consultant with McKinsey & Company for more than two decades. Dr. Ari Kellen’s work with the latter firm included extensive engagements in the corporate innovation sphere, and coauthoring the article Battle-test Your Innovation Strategy for the December 2012 McKinsey Quarterly.

The scenario presented in the article is one in which a company has taken all the right steps prior to product or service launch: brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and incorporating extensive market research and financial modeling. Despite a solid pathway to success, the product fails to catch on and the development team is left with a failure on its hands.

One common reason given for lack of anticipated sales is “the competition,” with rivals often taking unanticipated steps to counter the product, from discounting to tying up distribution channels. These threats are often difficult to detect before they actually emerge, partly because the competitors keep them hidden.

In overcoming this, a number of companies integrate “war games” simulations into their planning strategies, with an aim of getting into the strategic mindset of rivals. Competitive insights generated can help companies adjust product and service offerings at an early stage, when the outcome is malleable and changes are relatively easy to carry out.