Boehringer Ingelheim Selects Legit.Health to Improve Diagnosis of Rare Skin Disease
MADRID (November 29, 2023) — Legit.Health has won Boehringer Ingelheim's Call for Startups program, a competition to find AI technology that can speed diagnosis of generalized pustular psoriasis, a rare and severe skin condition that affects patients differently than common plaque psoriasis.
The pharmaceutical company launched the program in September 2023 with the Richi Childhood Cancer Foundation to identify startups developing image-based diagnostic tools. Barcelona Tech and Barcelona Health Hub helped evaluate candidates.
Generalized pustular psoriasis, known as GPP or PPG, causes pustules that can appear across large areas of the body. The disease differs from plaque psoriasis in its presentation and treatment requirements. Early diagnosis is critical because delays can worsen patient outcomes.
- Generalised pustular psoriasis77.03%
- Pustular psoriasis2.31%
- Pemphigus0.95%
- Zoster0.48%
- Cutaneous tuberculosis0.48%
- Generalised pustular psoriasis
- Pustular psoriasis
- Pemphigus
- Zoster
- Cutaneous tuberculosis
- Other
Legit.Health's winning technology uses AI to analyze photographs of skin conditions, supporting clinicians in identifying GPP and measuring its severity. The system can help dermatologists distinguish GPP from other forms of psoriasis and track disease progression over time.
"We want to continue raising awareness of rare dermatological conditions through initiatives improving patients' lives through innovation," said Elena Gobartt, medical affairs director at Boehringer Ingelheim Spain.
Andy Aguilar, chief executive of Legit.Health, said the recognition validates the company's work in rare skin diseases.
"This opportunity represents an important milestone in our mission to transform dermatology through technology," Aguilar said. "Rare diseases like GPP are often underdiagnosed because clinicians may see only a handful of cases in their careers. AI can help bridge that experience gap."
The prize includes a two-week immersion in Boston's startup ecosystem, expert discussions on digital health, and six months of mentoring sessions with Boehringer Ingelheim and Richi Entrepreneurs teams.
Legit.Health's platform supports assessment of more than 400 skin conditions using algorithms trained on clinical images. The Barcelona company holds CE marking as a Class IIa medical device and works with pharmaceutical companies, health systems and clinical research organizations.
About Legit.Health
Legit.Health develops AI-powered medical devices that help healthcare professionals objectively measure skin conditions. The company's CE-marked and FDA-cleared technology is used in clinical trials and routine practice across Europe, North America, and Latin America. Based in Bilbao, Spain, Legit.Health works with pharmaceutical companies, health systems, and clinical research organizations to bring objective measurement to dermatology. For more information, visit legit.health.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is a research-driven pharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for diseases with significant unmet medical need. The company operates in more than 130 countries and invests heavily in research and development. For more information, visit boehringer-ingelheim.com.
Media Contact: Legit.Health Press Office press@legit.health
For complementary information, read the press release published by Boehringer Ingelheim.