Victor-based company measures cognitive function with first FDA-cleared digital test

ROCHESTER, N.Y., July 10, 2018—Victor-headquartered Cognivue, Inc., owned by Tom Golisano, is positioning itself for the rapid expansion of its Cognivue system. The company’s technology underpins the first United States Food and Drug Administration-cleared computerized risk assessment score of cognitive function, which had previously been difficult to objectively and efficiently measure.

“We have a real opportunity here to change the standard of care for cognitive health,” said Golisano. “The innovations coming from Cognivue will have far-reaching effects, beginning with its current application then extending to others as the company grows. These advancements—originating from and being first applied in the Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse regions—are poised to do so much good for so many people.”

To bring this vision to fruition, Golisano has hired healthcare veteran Tom O’Neill as Cognivue’s president and chief executive officer. O’Neill brings more than 25 years of experience in leading commercial operations and achieving sustainable revenue growth. Prior to joining Cognivue, O’Neill held senior executive roles with Qiagen, Hologic, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Bausch + Lomb and Johnson & Johnson. He is based in Victor.

The company has since developed a new go-to-market business model that will significantly expand Cognivue use in physicians’ offices. This will transform cognitive assessment into regularly-monitored screenings by health care providers, beginning in Western and Central New York followed by several other major markets, including Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit and Ft. Myers, Fla.

Cognivue has also recruited Rafael O. Rivero, M.D., as vice president, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs. With more than 17 years of global experience in leading and transforming high performance teams, Dr. Rivero is highly experienced in clinical and global market development, bridging unmet medical needs and achieving gold standards of care within the biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Before joining Cognivue, Dr. Rivero held senior clinical development and medical affairs roles with Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Gilead Sciences, Stereotaxis, Abbott and Monogram Biosciences. He is based in Wellington, Fla., and has a frequent presence in Victor.

“Changing how the medical profession assesses cognitive health is a substantial opportunity and having the proven commercial and clinical leaders in place for our next growth phase is essential,” said O’Neill. “Our advanced technology and talented team combined with Tom Golisano’s support will help us reach an underserved market and make a positive impact on countless patients’ lives.”

The science behind Cognivue may be complex, yet the functionality of the FDA-cleared digital test is intuitive. Designed to monitor cognitive health, the technology establishes cognitive baselines and can track performance over time.

It is a quick and efficient process; the patient completes a series of self-administered tests in only 10 minutes on a digital system, engineered to eliminate variables. Unique to Cognivue, the assessment covers four domains of the brain: motor, visual, perception and memory. A health care provider has immediate access to results reflected as a simple score, as well as more detailed information for optional review.

This rapid and objective cognitive test is currently FDA cleared for individuals ages 55 – 95, giving physicians a reliable and reimbursable addition to standard patient care.