High-Profile Journal Publication Validates BlinkLab's Technology

Highlights:

• Peer-reviewed scientific paper has been published in Autism Research, a leading journal in the autism field.
• This publication validates BlinkLab’s core technology and its novel approach to measuring differences in sensorimotor processing in people with autism.
• Independent peer-reviewed publication provides strong support for future regulatory approval and clinical adoption of the BlinkLab technology.
• Follow-up paper is now in preparation detailing BlinkLab’s machine learning models, as per journal editor and peer-reviewer guidance.

BlinkLab Limited (ASX:BB1) (“BlinkLab” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that a peer-reviewed scientific paper validating its smartphone-based neurobehavioural assessment technology has been published in Autism Research, which is one of the most prestigious and widely cited journals in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.

Link to Publication:

‍https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/aur.70166

Autism Research is the official journal of the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR), and is widely recognised as a leading clinical and translational journal with a strong focus on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying autism. The Journal publishes high impact research that advances our understanding of autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. The journal is ranked in the top quartile (Q1) of its category and has a latest impact factor of 5.6 (updated June 2025). Publication in the journal represents a high level of independent scientific endorsement and is an important form of external validation for regulators, clinicians and healthcare systems.

The paper, titled “Neurobehavioral Assessment of Sensorimotor Function in Autism UsingSmartphone Technology”, validates BlinkLab’s core technology platform and the objective neurophysiological measures that it captures, including facial reflexes, startle responses, eye and eyelid movements, postural stability, as well as vocal and behavioural responses recorded using a standard smartphone in at-home environments.

The study reports results from a large, multi-centre cohort of 536 children1. The findings of this discovery study conducted in Morocco demonstrate that BlinkLab’s platform can reliably detect distinct sensorimotor profiles associated with autism across multiple domains, using objective, reflex-based measures rather than subjective observation from clinicians alone, which is currently the standard for autism assessment globally.

Lay Summary of the Journal Publication:

• The way the brain processes sensory information to guide behaviour may differ in children with autism
• Sensory processing was measured using facial and postural responses to ultra-short sounds while the participating children watched a video on a smartphone
• Autistic children showed stronger startle responses to the stimuli, as well as distinct behaviours not commonly observed in neurotypical children
• These findings suggest that smartphone-based assessments may enable greater access to diagnoses and more objective diagnostic tools for autism in the future

Importantly, this first publication focuses on the technology, data acquisition method, and the underlying neurobehavioural measures utilised by BlinkLab’s core technology. A subsequent peer-reviewed follow-up publication that is now being prepared will present the machine learning models, BlinkLab Dx 1, that have been developed using these measures, including their diagnostic and predictive performance. The decision to separate the work into two publications was made in response to feedback from the journal’s editors and peer reviewers, and is consistent with best practice in high-impact scientific publishing.

BlinkLab’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Myrthe Ottenhoff, stated: ‍

“This publication demonstrates the strength of our scientific approach and the clinical relevance of our technology. It shows that our methods are validated through peer-reviewed research andour commitment to improving real-world outcomes for individuals and families affected by autism. In the end, that is what matters most to regulators, clinicians, and most importantly, autistic children and their families.”

The publication materially strengthens BlinkLab’s clinical evidence base and represents an important milestone in the Company’s regulatory strategy, including engagement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where peer-reviewed validation in leading journals is a key component of medical device evaluation and adoption.

The study was conducted by an international consortium of researchers from BlinkLab, Erasmus Medical Center (Netherlands), Princeton University (USA), and multiple academic and clinical institutions worldwide. The full dataset supporting the publication has been made publicly available, underscoring BlinkLab’s commitment to transparency, scientific rigour and reproducibility.

Professor Abdeslem El Iddrisi, co-corresponding author on the publication, stated:

‍"This work is not just about advancing technology; it is about redefining what is possible when science is guided by purpose, responsibility, and a commitment to improving lives at scale."

‍Note from BlinkLab’s CEO/MD, Dr Henk-Jan Boele:

‍“First and foremost, we would like to thank all the families and children who participated in this study, as well as the clinical staff at the Foundation Mohammed V for Solidarity, under the governance of His Majesty the King of Morocco², for their outstanding collaboration.

For BlinkLab, this publication represents a major milestone. Following our previous peer-reviewed scientific publication demonstrating the proof of concept for smartphone-based neurometric assessments3, our new work shows the applicability of our technology forautism detection. It marks an important achievement and a strong start to 2026 for BB1.

We are also deeply grateful to Princeton University for their support, and to our investors.This study would not have been possible without your continued trust and backing.

Building scientific validation is essential and forms the strongest possible foundation for new technologies like BlinkLab. Advancing into clinical trials without proper peer review and credibility within the scientific and clinical community is a recipe for failure. That’s why we are taking a deliberate, step-by-step approach to market entry: from scientific adoption, to autism specialty centres and primary care settings.

It’s great to see that things go according to plan: scientific validation just prior to the start of our FDA regulatory trial. While the scientific peer-review and publication process can be demanding and time-consuming, it remains the gold standard for validating truly disruptive innovations. This is exactly how we intend to build a lasting impact at BlinkLab.”

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of BlinkLabLimited.

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References:

1) ASX Announcement (19 November 2024) – Large-Scale Study Validates and Enhances BlinkLab’s Accuracy in DetectingAutism in Children

2) Link to organization: http://www.fm5.ma/en/organization

3) Link to proof-of-concept study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-49568-2