Paul Christie, CEO of Tachmed
As the global healthcare sector faces growing pressures to become more proactive, personalised and efficient, technology-led solutions are increasingly seen as key to improving patient experience and outcomes.
In this Q&A, Paul Christie, CEO of pioneering medtech company, Tachmed, shares his perspective on the evolution of digital health and the role data-driven technologies can play. He also discusses the thinking behind Tachmed’s approach, the development of its advanced TachShield platform, and how partnerships, governance and emerging AI are set to revolutionise the future of healthcare.
How have your previous experiences in finance and investment banking inspired your shift into technology and, more specifically, the digital health sector?
The shift from finance and investment banking into digital health may not appear linear, but – in reality – I have been able to leverage key attributes like the importance of leveraging precise and frequent data points as the basis for effective decision making, which has key to the development and forthcoming launch of TachShield.
Can you explain how TachShield works and how it will integrate with healthcare providers? What is the overall architecture?
TachShield is more than simply an electro-chemical test. Unlike any other device on the market, it instantly and securely delivers accurate data to relevant parties via machine learning and AI, giving healthcare practitioners real-time information to prescribe medication and deliver treatment options.
The whole system works similarly to a Nespresso user model and is integrated from sample to patient solution via their patient’s healthcare professional.
Like Nespresso, it comes hand in hand with a pod or cartridge system that is so easy to use, a child could test themselves. Once a test has been administered that data is securely encrypted and transmitted by firmware to the patient’s account in the cloud. The patient or parental guardian can then allow their healthcare professional to access that information. Critically this data can power automated services such as online Dr evaluation, prescription writing and distribution of medicine through online pharmacies.
What role do partners like AWS play in the platform?
Our partnership with AWS has bought several benefits. Not only has it enabled access to early funding and the use of the latest AI models for Tachmed’s development of tools to support its agentic AI business model, R&D and commercial goals – the AWS ecosystem is multi-layered and through platforms such as Bedrock has enabled rapid and cost-effective development.
Finally, AWS also boasts an incredibly large and diverse community of partners with whom Tachmed is collaborating and is able to connect, while accessing relevant and timely research and data.
How do you ensure AI components are auditable and trustworthy, particularly as health outcomes are involved?
Trust in the Tachmed model is key.
Here, our extensive and in-depth approach to quality management and regulatory compliance complements Tachmed’s overall systematic approach to governance and reporting.
We’re aware that this must be dynamic enough to move in real time with Tachmed’s users, as opposed to just providing retrospective oversight. The team is constantly working towards better versions of this approach through systems, training and collaborating with partners at the frontline of patient care to integrate with their own patient management protocols.
Simply put this is a coordinated task with all the stakeholders in managing patient outcomes through generating and using the best data possible.
You plan to officially launch to market in 2026. Are you on track? What has been your biggest challenge to date?
We are now! No doubt funding innovation in the UK has been the biggest challenge.
Globally, diagnostics have been shunned because of Theranos and other disreputable actors in the market. This is understandable and, yet, short sighted. The opportunity to transform primary health care pathways through data obtained using digital tools, at home and point of care, and challenging outdated business models to innovate digital operating models to make it more accessible, cost effective and accurate is fundamental to transforming the entire healthcare eco-system. To paraphrase, it’s all about the patient.
How do you foresee the role of predictive diagnostics and continuous health monitoring evolving over the next 5 ‑ 10 years, and how is Tachmed preparing for it?
This fundamental to Tachmed’s patient-focused strategy. Tachmed is working with a growing cohort of payers, providers and community/patient groups to map out the test library needed for regular testing which will identify critical health factors and positively impact preventative actions which may reduce the incidence of disease. The team are excited about enabling clinicals to support patients to make well informed and timely decisions about their health, while enabling patients to gain invaluable insights to improve the chances of living better and – potentially – longer!
Do you think the AI boom is a bubble set to burst in the near future or something that will transform how businesses operate long-term?
No! AI is going to make a long term and transformation impact across society. Like everything with a human input, there will be challenges in terms of technological development, operational models for implantation and governance. There is no doubt about the multi-generational impact of this technology which society and markets are at a very early stage of assessment. This question always brings me back to the quality of inputs available to those training the models.
If investors keep shying away from frontline technologies, such as health diagnostics, the systemic risks from using poor and fragmented data sets will endure and lead to flashpoints.
