Intermountain Health-backed venture firm joins forces with Canary Speech to test vocal biomarkers for early detection of Multiple Sclerosis across Utah clinics

In a groundbreaking move blending healthcare and technology, Intermountain Ventures has partnered with Canary Speech, a Provo, Utah-based AI vocal biomarker company, to launch a new study aiming to identify Multiple Sclerosis (MS) through subtle changes in a person’s voice.

The collaboration seeks to explore whether Canary Speech’s advanced AI can detect early signs of MS—potentially transforming how the disease is diagnosed and monitored.

Using AI to Listen for Disease

The study, approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB), is being led by Dr. Timothy West, a neurologist at Intermountain Health’s Salt Lake Clinic.

Researchers will collect voice samples from patients in the area to determine whether Canary Speech’s AI algorithms can accurately identify individuals with MS based on vocal patterns.

Vocal biomarkers are small, often imperceptible changes in speech—like tone, pacing, or inflection—that may reveal neurological or cognitive changes long before traditional symptoms become noticeable.

If successful, this study could open doors to earlier interventions and more precise disease monitoring.

Canary Speech’s Growing Role in Healthcare

Canary Speech has been making waves in the health tech space by leveraging AI-powered voice analysis to detect behavioral and cognitive conditions.

The company’s patented technology can screen for mental health and neurological disorders, including anxiety, depression, and dementia, often before clinical symptoms are apparent.

Suggested Readings (News continues below)

Next Stage Trajectory Teams Up with Biodiversity Group to Launch Next Stage Fund Supporting Deep Tech Startups in Houston and London

Health officials urge vulnerable people in North West North East Yorkshire and Humber West Midlands and East Midlands to take precautions as UKHSA issues yellow Cold-Health Alert

Mick Jagger’s Fiancée Melanie Hamrick Reveals She Was Grabbed From Behind During Shocking Attack in Mayfair London

Historic Olympic Debut for Transgender Skier Elis Lundholm Ends in Last Place Finish but Qualification Rules Offer New Opportunity in Livigno Italy

Recently, Canary Speech introduced Canary Ambient™, an API-first platform that analyzes voice in real time during patient-clinician interactions.

This tool provides actionable insights that can support clinical decision-making, helping healthcare providers track cognitive and behavioral health conditions more accurately.

Intermountain Ventures: Fueling Innovation in Health

Intermountain Ventures, the venture capital and innovation arm of Intermountain Health, focuses on funding early- and growth-stage companies in six key areas: Enterprise Enablement, Care Site Optimization, Workforce Transformation, Consumer Experience, Clinical Advancement, and Proactive Care.

Led by Managing Partner Nickolas Mark, the team doesn’t just invest—they provide comprehensive support across operational strategy, networking, partnerships, and exit planning to help companies scale and succeed.

The partnership with Canary Speech fits neatly into Intermountain Ventures’ goal of supporting transformative healthcare innovations.

The Potential Impact on MS Diagnosis

Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic neurological disease that can be challenging to diagnose early.

By identifying subtle vocal changes associated with MS, clinicians may gain a new tool for earlier detection, tracking disease progression, and tailoring treatment more effectively.

If the study proves successful, it could pave the way for broader applications of vocal biomarkers in diagnosing and monitoring a wide range of neurological and cognitive disorders.

What’s Next?

Researchers will continue to gather and analyze voice samples, refining AI algorithms to improve accuracy.

Pending positive results, we could see Canary Speech’s technology integrated into clinical practice, offering doctors and patients an innovative, non-invasive method for early MS detection.

Summary

Intermountain Ventures and Canary Speech are pioneering a new frontier in disease detection by investigating how AI-powered voice analysis can identify Multiple Sclerosis.

Led by Dr. Timothy West and supported by Intermountain Ventures’ expertise in scaling health tech, the study explores the potential of vocal biomarkers to revolutionize early diagnosis and patient care.

This partnership exemplifies the growing convergence of artificial intelligence and healthcare innovation.