In the U.S., one in 36 children is diagnosed with autism, as reported by the CDC. Studies indicate that early diagnosis significantly improves developmental outcomes. EarliTec Diagnostics recently secured fresh funding to expand its diagnostic system tailored for children as young as 16 months old.
The Atlanta-based startup employs an FDA-approved method where children engage with short videos and social interactions on a screen for 12 minutes while AI technology tracks their eye movements. According to EarliTec, differences in focus between children with autism and those without are discernible through this process.
The company successfully closed a $21.5 million Series B funding round, jointly led by Nexus NeuroTech Ventures and Venture Investors. Currently operational in six states with eight clinicians, EarliTec's technology streamlines autism assessments, bypassing the traditionally lengthy three- to four-hour evaluations.
CEO Tom Ressemann emphasised the importance of integrating their 12-minute test into existing clinical workflows to expedite diagnoses and improve outcomes for both children and parents. With plans to broaden their age range for diagnosis and enhance assessment and treatment options, the funding will support EarliTec's expansion efforts.
Ressemann, with experience leading medical device startups like Amphora Medical and Entellus Medical, described this fundraising endeavour as both challenging and rewarding. Despite the prevalence of autism, fundraising in this domain remains complex, though interest from investors is gradually increasing.
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