AutoPiX Project Celebrates European Patent Grant to Singularity Biomed for its AI Thermal-Imaging Technology
European patent strengthens the role of AI-powered thermography in the future of rheumatology and reinforces AutoPiX’s innovation ecosystem
Madrid, May 2026 –
The European research initiative AutoPiX proudly announces an important milestone following the granting of a European patent to consortium partner Singularity Biomed for its AI method for the thermographic analysis of joint inflammation (European patent EP4089578).
The patent represents a significant milestone not only for Singularity Biomed, but also for the broader European ecosystem working to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare. The technology combines portable thermal imaging with machine-learning algorithms to support faster, more accurate, and more objective assessment of joint inflammation. By identifying subtle imaging biomarkers and reducing interobserver variability, the technology has the potential to improve diagnosis, disease monitoring, and clinical decision-making. Importantly, it offers clinicians an additional assessment tool that is simple, rapid, non-invasive, and cost-effective, complementing more resource-intensive imaging modalities such as X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound.
Singularity Biomed has become one of the key technological innovators within AutoPiX, contributing directly to the project’s mission of developing trustworthy, explainable, and clinically applicable AI-based imaging solutions for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Its work focuses on bridging the gap between cutting-edge engineering and real-world clinical usability, helping transform complex imaging data into actionable information for healthcare professionals.
“This patent is the result of years of focused research and a cornerstone of our intellectual property,” said Manuel Marín, CEO of Singularity Biomed. “Bringing this protected technology into a consortium of AutoPiX’s calibre allows us to scale our clinical evidence across Europe and accelerate the adoption of objective, AI-based monitoring in rheumatology.”
A strategic contribution to AutoPiX
AutoPiX is a European public-private partnership focused on advancing the use of AI in medical imaging, with a particular emphasis on rheumatology. The project brings together academic institutions, clinical centres, regulatory bodies, patient representatives, and industry partners to develop, validate, and implement AI-driven imaging solutions that are clinically meaningful, safe, and scalable. The success of Singularity Biomed reinforces the collaborative spirit of AutoPiX and demonstrates how partnerships between industry, clinicians, researchers, and patients can translate scientific innovation into meaningful healthcare solutions.
About AutoPiX
AutoPiX is a European collaborative project funded under a public-private partnership framework, dedicated to advancing artificial intelligence in medical imaging. The project brings together leading academic institutions, healthcare providers, patient organizations, regulatory bodies, and industry partners to co-develop innovative, safe, and effective AI-based solutions. Its work spans technology development, clinical validation, ethical and regulatory frameworks, and stakeholder engagement, with a strong focus on improving care in rheumatology
About Singularity Biomed
Founded in 2019 and based in Barcelona (Spain), Singularity Biomed is a MedTech company pioneering the field of computational rheumatology. Its AI-powered thermography technology delivers objective, sensitive and fast assessment of joint inflammation, supporting point-of-care diagnosis, remote patient monitoring and pharmaceutical clinical trials. More information: www.singularity-biomed.com.
Full Name: IHI-AUTOPIX - IMAGING FOR PATIENT BENEFIT IN ARTHRITIS Start date: 1st November 2024 Duration: 60 months Budget: 21 Mil. € Coordinator: Medizinische Universität Wien, Prof. Dr Daniel Aletaha, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peter Mandl Project Leader: Johnson & Johnson, Robert Janiczek, PhD Website: https://www.autopix-project.eu
Project Partners
Austria
- Medizinische Universität Wien
- AGES - Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit
Belgium
- Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson
- UCB Biopharma SRL
Denmark
- Region Hovedstaden
- ROPCA ApS
France
- Scienta Lab
Germany
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- EURICE – European Research and Project Office GmbH
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Spain
- Instituto De Salud Musculoesquelética, SL
- Singularity Biomed, SL
Sweden
- Collective Minds ® (Collective Minds Radiology AB)
Switzerland
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois
- EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology)
- MoonLake Immunotherapeutics AG
- Novartis Pharma AG
United Kingdom
- Queen Mary University of London
Patient involvement in the project
- Patient Advisory Panel (coordinated/facilitated by EULAR)
Contact
Project Coordinator
Medizinische Universität Wien
Chair of Rheumatology, Head of Division of Rheumatology
Prof Dr Daniel Aletaha
Assoc. Prof Dr Peter Mandl
Phone: +43 40400 43010
Mail: daniel.aletaha@meduniwien.ac.at
peter.mandl@meduniwien.ac.at
https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/
EFPIA Project Lead:
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Johnson & Johnson)
Director, Digital Measurement Strategy
Robert Janiczek, PhD
Phone: +1 610 996 1214
Mail: rjanicze@its.jnj.com
https://innovativemedicine.jnj.com/
This project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No 101194766. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, COCIR, EFPIA, Europa Bío, MedTech Europe, Vaccines Europe, Collective Minds and Radiology AB, MoonLake Immunotherapeutics AG, and Scienta Lab. The Swiss consortium partners, EULAR and CHUV, receive funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).
Co-Funded by the European Union, the private members, those contributing partners of the IHI JU, and SERI. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the aforementioned parties. Neither of the aforementioned parties can be held responsible for them.