Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
February 24, 2026
MindBio Appoints Drug Policy Expert to Lead AI Safety Tech in South American Mining
TLDR
- MindBio Therapeutics appoints Felipe Leyton to commercialize its AI voice impairment detection platform in South American mining, gaining regulatory expertise for market advantage.
- MindBio's AI platform analyzes voice data to detect drug and alcohol impairment, with field testing in mining operations scheduled for Q2 2026.
- This technology aims to reduce workplace accidents linked to substance use, potentially saving lives and improving safety in high-risk industries.
- MindBio's voice-based AI can detect multiple substances including cocaine and cannabis, using over 50 million data points for accurate impairment prediction.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development matters because it addresses a critical safety crisis in one of the world's most dangerous industries. With substance use linked to 20-25% of occupational accidents globally, and particularly high rates in mining, traditional detection methods are often invasive, slow, or impractical for large workforces. MindBio's AI voice technology offers a scalable, real-time solution that could prevent accidents, save lives, and reduce operational downtime. By deploying this technology in South America's massive mining sector—starting with Chile's 200,000+ workers—it sets a precedent for global industrial safety modernization. The appointment of a national policy architect like Felipe Leyton ensures regulatory alignment and industry trust, accelerating adoption. For workers, this means safer workplaces; for companies, reduced liability and improved productivity; and for society, fewer families devastated by preventable mining accidents. This represents a tangible shift from reactive safety measures to proactive, technology-driven prevention in high-risk environments.
Summary
MindBio Therapeutics Corp., a biotechnology company specializing in AI-powered voice analytics for real-time drug and alcohol impairment detection, has made a strategic move by appointing Felipe Leyton to lead its commercialization efforts in South America's mining sector. Leyton, a renowned architect of Chile's landmark Zero Tolerance alcohol-impaired driving framework and a recognized mining industry safety authority, brings unparalleled regulatory expertise and direct industry access. His appointment marks a critical inflection point as MindBio transitions from advanced development to commercial field deployment, targeting one of the world's largest and highest-risk industrial markets. Leyton's mandate includes developing mining-specific testing protocols, expanding clinical validation, strengthening multi-substance detection capabilities, and overseeing phased deployment into active mining environments.
MindBio is nearing completion of its integrated Edge AI hardware-software kiosk system, purpose-built for industrial environments, with on-site field testing at mining operations scheduled to commence in Q2 2026. The platform offers rapid, non-invasive screening using voice analysis to predict impairment in real-time, addressing a significant occupational safety risk. Statistics reveal that in Chile alone, over 75% of mining workers consume alcohol, with approximately 40% classified as problem drinkers and 9% reporting drug use among a workforce exceeding 200,000 individuals. Globally, an estimated 20-25% of occupational accidents are linked to substance use, underscoring the urgent need for scalable detection technologies in safety-critical industries like mining.
CEO Justin Hanka emphasized that Leyton's exceptional credibility and regulatory authority position MindBio at the forefront of next-generation industrial safety solutions. The company continues to operate at the intersection of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and medical diagnostics, building non-invasive solutions designed to improve safety outcomes and reduce liability exposure. This strategic appointment and upcoming field deployment represent a world-first AI voice-based impairment detection platform for mining, with commercial revenue generation directly targeted within the South American mining sector. For further information, visit the company's website at www.mindbiotherapeutics.com or view the original release on www.newmediawire.com.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, MindBio Appoints Drug Policy Expert to Lead AI Safety Tech in South American Mining
