A new approach examines how individual cells respond to drugs, aiming to identify risks earlier in development.
Updated
April 15, 2026 6:01 PM
Close up of a capsule blister pack. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
DeepCyte, a startup in the drug development space, is focusing on a long-standing problem: why drugs that appear safe in early testing still fail in clinical trials or are withdrawn later due to toxicity. DeepCyte has launched with US$1.5 million in seed funding to build tools that detect and explain the harmful effects of drugs at much earlier stages.
The startup’s approach focuses on how individual cells respond to a drug. Instead of analysing cells in bulk, it studies them one by one. This helps capture differences in how cells react, which are often missed in traditional testing methods.
Drug toxicity remains one of the main reasons for failure in drug development. Methods such as animal testing and bulk cell analysis do not always reflect how human cells behave. This gap has pushed the industry to look for more reliable and human-relevant ways to test drug safety.
DeepCyte combines cell-level data with artificial intelligence. Its platform, MetaCore, studies what is happening inside individual cells by capturing detailed molecular information. This data is used to build large datasets that can train AI models.
Additionally, the company has developed an AI system called DeeImmuno. It is designed to predict whether a drug could be toxic and identify the biological reasons behind it. In internal testing on 100 drugs, the system identified different types of toxicity and their underlying mechanisms with a reported accuracy of 94 percent.
The focus on explaining why a drug is toxic, not just whether it is, reflects a broader shift in the industry. Regulators such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency have been encouraging methods that rely more on human cell data and clearer biological evidence. The seed funding will be used to develop and scale these tools. The company aims to help drug developers make earlier decisions, which could reduce costly failures in later stages. Whether tools like this become widely used will depend on how they perform in real-world settings. For now, DeepCyte’s approach highlights a growing effort to make drug testing more precise by focusing on how drugs affect cells at the most detailed level.
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From AI diagnostics to exoskeletons, the event highlights how healthcare tech is moving into real-world use
Updated
April 8, 2026 10:43 AM
Tesla Bot Optimus, designed by Tesla. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
The China International Medical Equipment Fair 2026 will open in Shanghai from April 9 to 12 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. It is one of the largest gatherings in the medical device industry. This year’s edition will cover more than 320,000 square metres. Nearly 5,000 companies and brands are expected to participate, representing over 20 countries and regions. Organisers also expect more than 200,000 professional visitors and buyers from around 150 markets.
A key focus this year is the growing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. One of the headline technologies is an AI agent designed to carry out multiple diagnoses from a single scan. The exhibition will also feature diagnostic software that is already in clinical use. In addition, an integrated platform for AI training and inference will be showcased to improve computing capacity within healthcare institutions.
Robotics will also play a central role at the event. New systems across surgical procedures, rehabilitation and elderly care are expected to be presented. Together, these developments point to a steady move toward more precise and assisted forms of care. Many of these technologies are designed to support clinicians and patients, especially in tasks that require consistent accuracy or long-term physical assistance.
For the first time, the event will introduce a dedicated Future Tech Arena. It will focus on brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence and university-led innovation. The space will include AI-assisted MRI systems for Alzheimer’s diagnosis. It will also feature brain-computer interface technologies used for cognitive assessment and training, along with wearable robotic exoskeletons.
Alongside product showcases, the event will continue to act as a platform for international trade and collaboration. An International Zone will host exhibitors from countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. This provides a view of how different markets are approaching medical technology. It also reflects the global nature of innovation and deployment in this sector.
The programme will include a set of networking and exchange formats under its “We” initiative. These include discussion stages with representatives from consulates and industry organisations, as well as matchmaking sessions based on verified buyer demand. Guided tours will also be organised to help international visitors connect with relevant exhibitors. In parallel, organisers are working with hospital partners to provide medical support services for attendees during the event.
Across the four days, hundreds of forums are scheduled. These will bring together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to discuss regulatory frameworks, market access and the future of healthcare innovation. Some of these sessions will be led by the Global Harmonization Working Party in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, with a focus on regulatory alignment and cross-border cooperation in medical devices.
As healthcare systems continue to adopt digital tools and advanced equipment, events like CMEF provide a clear view of how these technologies are being developed and applied. The scale of participation this year reflects continued activity across both innovation and international collaboration in the medical device sector.