Envisionit Deep AI, a South African healthcare startup, has received a $1.65 million investment to expand its medical imaging services, which combines artificial intelligence and radiology to detect diseases.
The participants from this round include New GX Ventures SA, a joint venture between New GX Capital, RMB Ventures and GIIG Africa. This recent investment was actualized after the startup emerged as the Southern Africa regional winner at the African Startup Awards.
According to the CEO of the healthcare startup, Jaishree Naidoo, “We have this exciting goal to combine revolutionary technology like artificial intelligence with radiology and we want to transform the way radiologists look, interpret imaging and make diagnosis.”
The startup, however, has a suite of products to expand beyond South Africa, like the Radify AI platform for advancing speed, accuracy, quality and affordability in promoting medical imaging diagnosis and the critical factors in early diagnosis and disease treatments.
“Radify AI has received approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Association. But we want to go global and that is why we’re busy seeking approval from FDA and European Medical Agency,” said Naidoo.
Naidoo says Envisionit Deep AI’s ultimate goal is to lessen the burdens faced in the healthcare system, especially in Africa, where infrastructure and human resource investments are insufficient.
The startup’s available products can be integrated with devices such as X-ray machines for diagnosis and treatment at the point of care and teleradiology for patients requiring radiology reports.
“Typically a radiographer takes X-rays, then patients would go back home and collect the results later, sometimes after several months. Delayed diagnosis means diseases could advance further. We are taking that lag away, because when you know what to treat, you treat it quickly,” said Naidoo, adding their optimism on introducing its solutions to South Africa’s mining sector, where employees are vulnerable to being contaminated by tuberculosis.
The startup states that while the volume of data it processes is fundamental, it ensures its models are trained using quality de-identified data drawn globally and from diverse ethnic groups. Radiologists may also check the data using a validation tool, which assures them that the system is functioning as intended. The startup has increased the model’s accuracy by getting their comments and feedback.
Read More; Female-owned South African Startup, Job Crystal Secures R4.2 million Funding
About Envisionit Deep AI
Envisionit Deep AI is an innovative medical technology company using AI to transform medical imaging diagnosis. It was founded in 2019 by Jaishree Naidoo alongside co-founders Andrei Migatchev and Terence Naidu in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The startup won $50,000 at the Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge with its healthcare solution. The medical technology company then developed Radify – an artificial intelligence solution with which radiologists can detect abnormalities on X-rays and other images.
It can label and prioritise over 2 000 X-rays per minute and assist with the early analysis of infectious diseases. It can also triage patients according to the various probabilities of Tuberculosis in children and adults. The startup aims to partner with governments and private sectors in Africa. It seeks to provide people under 15 access to paediatric diagnostic care.
Read More;South Africa’s Naspers leads $30m funding for auto-financing company, Planet42
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