MU-developed UbiWhite seeks partner to bring tech to market

Patients who struggle with chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, immune system deficiencies, or are undergoing chemotherapy treatments need to monitor their white blood cell levels. Traditionally, this is done by drawing blood at a medical facility.

Computer Science professor Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, PhD has developed a smartphone-based device on the Marquette University campus that aims to change that.

Called UbiWhite, the technology uses a smartphone-connected device to capture fingertip video using blue light and magnetic stimulation. An artificial intelligence algorithm then analyzes the signal to estimate white blood cell concentration without requiring a traditional blood draw. This non-invasive testing tool is seeking a commercial partner to create a pathway to the marketplace.

The technology is being advanced through UbiVital, a company formed to commercialize the innovation. While a prototype has been developed and early testing completed, the team is now seeking a company to license the technology and take it through manufacturing and commercialization.

UbiWhite’s initial results showed error rates comparable to traditional methods in a small pilot study of about 20 participants. Larger validation efforts are underway, including a planned 200-participant study in the U.S. and additional data collection from roughly 1,200 participants internationally, according to the research team.

The technology is being explored along two potential pathways. One is a wellness-focused application, where users could monitor general immune indicators without regulatory approval required for medical devices. The other is a clinical pathway, which would involve regulatory clearance and could support use cases such as monitoring patients undergoing chemotherapy.

“The wellness route is faster,” said Ahamed. “The clinical route requires trials, but it has a different level of impact.”

For now, the team is focused on advancing validation while identifying a partner capable of scaling production and navigating commercialization.

If successful, UbiWhite could offer a lower-cost, more accessible alternative to traditional lab testing, particularly in settings where access to diagnostic equipment is limited. But like many university-developed technologies, its future will depend on whether it can make the transition from research to a commercially viable product through the right industry partner.