Edinburgh, Scotland (1 May 2025) – Blackford, the pioneering Enterprise AI Platform and solutions provider, today announced a commercial partnership with 16 Bit, a Healthtech company applying AI to extract clinical insights from routine medical imaging. The collaboration brings 16 Bit’s groundbreaking Rho solution to healthcare professionals via the Blackford Platform.
Rho is the world’s first regulatory-approved software-as-a-medical-device (SaMD) that uses AI to detect low bone mineral density (BMD) from standard X-rays. By identifying patients at risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis, Rho addresses a major clinical gap in the early detection of bone health issues—without the need for additional imaging.
“We’re proud to partner with 16 Bit to bring Rho to the Blackford platform,” said Ben Panter, Founder and CEO of Blackford. “Rho is a powerful example of how AI can unlock hidden value in everyday imaging, helping radiologists detect osteoporosis earlier and more efficiently.”
The integration of 16 Bit’s Rho solution into Blackford’s already comprehensive medical AI ecosystem expands the platform’s offering of 140+ AI solutions designed to improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance workflow efficiency, and ultimately advance patient outcomes.
Dr. Alexander Bilbily, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of 16 Bit described that “Rho has already delivered the power of AI-driven opportunistic screening to over 300,000 patients - transforming routine x-rays into a gateway for proactive bone health. With our partnership with Blackford, we’re accelerating toward our goal of reaching 1 million patients by the end of 2025 and bringing this impact to clinical practices around the world.”