India Unveils Quantum Microscope and 1st Liquid Helium Cryogenic Facility at IIT Bombay, Pioneering Cancer Diagnosis Breakthroughs

India has inaugurated its first Liquid Helium Cryogenic Facility at IIT Bombay, alongside advances in quantum sensing technologies, which are expected to play a transformative role in medical imaging and cancer diagnosis.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Liquid Helium Facility at IIT Bombay, calling it a milestone in India’s quantum ecosystem. The facility includes a helium recovery system that reduces cryogenic experiment costs to one-tenth while conserving helium, a rare global resource.

The Minister dedicated the facility to the nation and reviewed India’s first indigenous quantum sensing and imaging platforms. Among them was QMagPI, a portable magnetometer capable of detecting ultra-low magnetic fields at the nanotesla scale.

Quantum Lab at #IITBombay, supported by the Department of Science & Technology (#DST) under the National Quantum Mission #NQM, is the first of its kind in the country.

Quantum Diamond Microscope and Quantum MagPi are cutting edge breakthroughs with diverse applications,… pic.twitter.com/nki3Wi6ZoU

— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) November 24, 2025

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Key highlights of the announcement

• Liquid Helium Cryogenic Facility: India’s first such installation, dedicated at IIT Bombay, enables ultra-low temperature experiments essential for quantum research.
• Quantum Microscope Potential: Quantum sensing breakthroughs at IIT Bombay are being positioned as tools for high-resolution medical imaging, which could significantly improve early cancer detection.
• Government Backing: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that this initiative reflects India’s commitment to building a strong ecosystem in quantum science, cryogenics, advanced materials, and next-generation computing.
• Cancer Diagnosis Applications: Quantum microscopes, when paired with cryogenic environments, can reduce noise and enhance sensitivity, allowing researchers to observe biological samples at unprecedented resolution. This could lead to earlier and more accurate cancer diagnostics compared to conventional imaging.

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Why this matters

• Medical Breakthroughs: Traditional microscopes often struggle with resolution limits. Quantum microscopes, leveraging entangled photons and cryogenic cooling, can surpass these barriers.
• Cryogenics in Healthcare: Liquid helium cooling stabilizes quantum sensors, making them reliable for clinical applications. This is crucial for biopsy-free cancer detection and precision medicine.
• Global Competitiveness: India joins the ranks of countries investing heavily in quantum-enabled healthcare, positioning itself as a leader in quantum medical technology.

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Challenges and next steps

• Infrastructure Costs: Cryogenic facilities are expensive to maintain, requiring continuous helium supply and specialized expertise.
• Clinical Translation: Moving from lab-based quantum sensing to hospital-ready diagnostic tools will demand regulatory approvals, clinical trials, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Talent Pipeline: India will need to train more quantum engineers, medical physicists, and biotechnologists to fully harness this innovation.

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Broader implications

This development is not just about cancer diagnosis—it signals India’s ambition to integrate quantum technologies into healthcare, computing, and materials science. If successful, quantum microscopes could revolutionize how diseases are detected and treated, while cryogenic facilities will serve as the backbone for future quantum computing and sensing ecosystems.

4baseCare Launches New Genomics Lab in Bengaluru, Unveils Global Cancer Diversity Atlas

4baseCare, a precision oncology company, inaugurated its new genomics laboratory in Mahadevapura, Bengaluru, as a part of its consistent efforts to advance access to precision oncology in India. The highlight of the launch event was the unveiling of Global Cancer Diversity Atlas (GCDA) aimed at addressing the genomics data gap that exists in cancer care.

The launch event was presided over by Mr. N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman, Infosys, who also unveiled the Global Cancer Diversity Atlas. In attendance were Ganapathy Subramaniam, Founding Managing Partner at Yali Capital, Rajan Anandan, Managing Director , Peak XV Partners, and founders of 4baseCare, Hitesh Goswami and Kshitij Rishi.

 

4baseCare’s new genomics lab in Bengaluru will offer advanced genomic testing solutions including comprehensive gene panels, whole exome sequencing, and transcriptome analysis. These tools will enable oncologists to delve deeper into the genetic makeup of tumors, offering personalized and more effective cancer treatment options.

The Global Cancer Diversity Atlas (GCDA) is a pioneering initiative by 4baseCare designed to address a critical gap in global cancer research: the lack of genomic data from diverse populations. While most cancer genomic datasets are dominated by Western populations, GCDA is built on real-world data from India and the Global South, including South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central Europe, and Latin America. GCDA is the world’s most inclusive cancer genomics dataset, transforming how we develop diagnostics, conduct research, and deliver cancer care so that every patient, everywhere, is truly seen and understood.

Commenting on the new lab and the unveiling of GCDA, Hitesh Goswami, CEO and Co-Founder, 4baseCare, said, “Our new genomics lab and the unveiling of the GCDA are driven by a single goal of creating better access to precision oncology. One of the key challenges in cancer care today is the lack of genomic data from Indian and Asian populations. This data gap has a significant impact on the effectiveness of cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies for under-represented communities.”

“At 4baseCare, we have firsthand seen the kind of real-world impact our genetic tests have had on cancer patients because of the right genomic data sets. Through our lab, we are creating an infrastructure to build population-specific genomic data at scale. And with GCDA, our aim is to close the diversity gap in cancer research that can change how cancer diagnosis and treatment is approached worldwide”, Hitesh added.

About 4baseCare

Founded in 2018 by Hitesh Goswami and Kshitij Rishi, 4baseCare has been a pioneer in launching unique solutions in cancer care to support oncologists match patients with the right targeted therapy based on biomarker identification. 4baseCare’s best-in-class genomic-based tests include #IndiaKaGenePanel, Indiegene which is the world's first Indian population specific cancer gene panel for biomarker testing.

4baseCare is an Illumina accelerator company, backed by Infosys Innovation fund. 4baseCare also secured 6 million in series A funding round from Yali Capital, is the first Asia/Pacific company to be selected for Illumina’s accelerator program in 2019. 4baseCare has also been awarded a 5 Million INR Biotechnology Ignition Grant (BIG), a flagship scheme of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), a Public Sector Undertaking the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. Very recently,

4baseCare has expanded its global footprint by launching operations in Dubai by establishing a state-of-the-art genomics laboratory at Dubai Science Park, in collaboration with Innovate Life Sciences. The facility has recently earned CAP Accreditation. Strengthening its international presence, the company inaugurated a new lab in the Philippines in May 2025, in partnership with LINCs Philippines.

For more details, visit, https://4basecare.com/

AIIMS Jammu and 4baseCare Launches Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu has officially initiated laboratory operations with the illumina NextSeq 2000 sequencing machine, at its newly established Centre for Advanced Genomics & Precision Medicine — marking a transformative step toward making affordable, precision-driven cancer care accessible to patients across India.

Inaugurating the state-of-the-art facility were key dignitaries, including Prof. (Dr) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu; Lt Gen Dr Sunil Kant, Dean Research and Medical Superintendent; Prof. Dr Meeta Gupta, Dean (Academics); Prof. Dr Shabab L Angurana, Associate Dean (Research); Mr. Shailender Slathia, Registrar; Dr. Poonam Sharma, Head, Department of Pathology; and Dr. Sudharshan, Vice President – Global Operations at 4baseCare.

Prof (Dr) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director and CEO, AIIMS Jammu, stated, “For every patient we treat, we are treating a mother, a father, a sister, or a brother. This partnership is our promise to every family who walks through our doors that we will do everything in our power to bring them the care they deserve.”

The Centre, developed in collaboration with 4baseCare, is equipped with advanced Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, offering comprehensive genomic profiling for cancer patients. This powerful capability enables clinicians to design highly personalized, targeted treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique molecular profile.

“By integrating cutting-edge genomic data with AI-powered diagnostics, the Centre is poised to significantly improve early disease detection, refine therapy choices, and minimize ineffective treatments — ultimately enhancing both patient outcomes and quality of life,” said Dr. Sudharshan Elangovan , Vice President – Global Operations at 4baseCare.

Traditionally, access to such advanced genomic testing has been prohibitively expensive for many patients. However, with this initiative, high-quality NGS-based tests will now be made available at affordable costs, paving the way for greater inclusivity in precision oncology across India.

Further solidifying its role as a national referral hub, the Centre will accept samples from patients and healthcare providers across the country, ensuring that cutting-edge molecular diagnostics are accessible, regardless of geographical barriers.

For more details, visit, https://4basecare.com/

LuNGS Alliance Launches Free Lung NGS Biomarker Testing for Lung Cancer Patients in India

An Initiative by Cancer Research and Statistic Foundation, Supported by AstraZeneca, Pfizer & Roche and lab partner 4baseCare

In a significant move to drive awareness about precision oncology as an essential, accessible and affordable treatment plan for lung cancer treatment, LuNGS Alliance, an initiative led by the Cancer Research and Statistic Foundation (CRSF), has announced free Lung NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) biomarker testing for lung cancer patients across India. This initiative is backed by leading pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Roche, with 4baseCare serving as the official lab partner.

The TARGT First Solid test by 4baseCare offers a comprehensive analysis of 72 commonly mutated genes, identifying actionable biomarkers that enable personalized treatment plans based on a patient’s unique genomic profile. This cutting-edge test identifies mutations corresponding to approved therapies by FDA and NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network), empowering oncologists to provide tailored, more effective treatments that can significantly improve patient outcomes.The primary goal of this initiative is to bridge the gap between innovative cancer care and its accessibility. By offering zero-cost biomarker testing, LuNGS Alliance ensures that financial constraints do not prevent patients from receiving the most advanced cancer treatment available.

According to a study published in The Lancet Regional Health, lung cancer accounts for an estimated 72,510 new cases and 66,279 deaths annually in India. The high mortality rate highlights the urgent need for personalized treatment approaches over the conventional one-size-fits-all methods. Biomarker testing addresses this challenge by offering targeted therapies based on a patient’s unique genetic mutations.

Dr. Kumar Prabhash from Cancer Research and Statistic Foundation said, “We are committed to ensuring lung cancer patients in India have access to effective, targeted treatments. With precision oncology, we aim to make life-saving innovations accessible and transform cancer care nationwide.”

Hitesh Goswami, CEO and Co-Founder, 4baseCare, said, “Advanced NGS-based biomarker testing should be standard for every lung cancer patient. This initiative brings us closer to democratizing precision medicine and making a real difference in patients’ lives !

How to Avail the Free Test

Lung cancer patients are eligible to receive one free NGS biomarker test through the initiative.

For more information or to arrange a sample pickup, patients can contact the toll-free helpline at 1800-202-2455.

Oncologists can visit www.CRSF.in to prescribe the test.

Tata Chemicals and BSDT’s Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre (ICTRC), Pune Ink MoU to Bridge Modern Scientific Research with Traditional Ayurvedic Wisdom

Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) a leading sustainable and science-led chemistry solutions company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust (BSDT) – BSDT’s Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre (ICTRC) in Pune. This collaboration aims to explore the beneficial effects of TCL's prebiotic, soluble dietary fibers, and their derivatives on gut health and overall wellness. This initiative underscores Tata Chemicals' and BSDT's shared commitment to delivering science-backed nutrition solutions that enhance quality of life.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Tata Chemicals' R&D team, led by Dr. Richard Lobo, and the BSDT team, led by Dr. Sushrut S. Sardeshmukh, Trustee, BSDT, and Dr. Vineeta V. Deshmukh, Deputy Director, ICTRC. This partnership will focus on integrating scientific research with Ayurvedic principles to develop advanced solutions for health and wellness.

Speaking on the occasion of signing the MoU, Dr. Richard Lobo – Head - Innovation, R&D, Business Excellence and Chief Ethics Counsellor at Tata Chemicals said "This is a momentous occasion for us as BSDT’s Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research centre's mission and its values are closely aligned with that of Tata Chemicals. We are committed to working together in understanding and improving the functionality of our science-differentiated products in Ayurvedic formulations, for improving the quality of life & alleviating pain through Ayurvedic disciplines.”

Dr. Sushrut S. Sardeshmukh, Trustee at Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust added “We are very pleased to be working closely with Tata Chemicals. At BSDT, our mission has always been to integrate Ayurveda with modern science to enhance patient care and improve quality of life. This collaboration is a significant step towards advancing research in Ayurveda integrated in wellness products with science-backed innovations. By combining our expertise in holistic healing with Tata Chemicals’ commitment to Innovative products, we aim to further explore solutions that support holistic well-being.”

BSDT, through its expertise in Ayurveda, has been instrumental in improving the quality of life and alleviating cancer-related suffering for thousands of patients. By combining Tata Chemicals’ nature-driven innovations with BSDT’s traditional healing approach, this initiative aims to advance nutritional science, expand the scope of holistic wellness, and develop impactful solutions that bridge tradition and modern healthcare advancements

WinZO and Tata Memorial Hospital Partner to Set-Up India’s 1st Gene Counseling Facility

Through WinZO’s ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ initiative, the platform and its users contribute to India’s first genetic counseling and testing lab.

WinZO launched the initiative ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ to raise funds for early cancer detection through gene counselling and also to create awareness for its 200 million user bases on the critical role of early cancer detection. Through its ‘Play to Prevent Cancer’ hour on its platform, WinZO raised funds from its users and its 200 team members matched the amount raised through its user base to expand the total donation. This amount was donated to Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research, and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) at Tata Memorial Hospital and will be used to train the gene counselling team at the Tata Memorial Hospital.

WinZO opted to scale India’s early cancer detection capabilities since cancer has now become one of leading causes of death and imposes heavy burden on the patients, their caregivers, and families at large. During 2000-2019, ~13 mn Indians lost their lives to 23 forms of cancer; this is twice the size of Singapore. In 2022, globally there were 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths. The number of new annual cases is expected to rise to new 35 million cases by 2050. However, during the last 20 years, there have been significant breakthroughs in cancer prevention, treatment, and palliative care. The most impactful intervention comes at the stage of Genetic Counselling, rapidly emerging as the pivotal tool to preempt and mitigate the risk of cancer.

The partnership between WinZO, India’s largest interactive social gaming platform, and Tata Memorial Hospital aims to address the burgeoning risk of cancer through genetic counselling to improve knowledge of genetics prone to cancer and support early detection and treatment among prospective cancer patients in India.

The focus of the initiative is skill development for genetic counselling, supporting critical interventions on gene reporting & screening, and family counselling. Such investment in skilling and training on gene counselling is likely to have a network effect on how we address the concerns around cancer prevention, awareness, and early detection. This intervention will expand India's capacity to provide genetic counselling through the country's low-cost genetic testing lab at Tata Memorial Hospital, allowing more Indians from different socioeconomic backgrounds to access this critical intervention.

Dr. Rajiv Sarin, Head of the Cancer Genetics Clinic and Cancer Genetics/Genomics Lab at Tata Memorial Hospital, emphasized the importance of capacity building and skilling: “I thank WinZO and its users for their invaluable contributions. Their support for Genetic Counselling Professionals will be crucial in assisting millions of Indians diagnosed with cancer. These Cancer Genetic Professionals would provide timely, culturally sensitive, individualised, and evidence-based genetic counselling to cancer patients To maximize the impact of donated resources, such as equipment or infrastructure, we need an army of well-trained, motivated professionals.”

The journey of a cancer patient and their caregivers is also riddled with mental health challenges. Data shows that up to 20% of cancer patients experience depression, and 10% experience anxiety, regardless of the treatment phase or point in the disease trajectory. The same data also mentions that over 35–40% of cancer patients have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, including neuropsychiatric manifestations and stress-related, neurocognitive, adjustment, and somatic symptom disorders. Together, these challenges increase the suicide risk of patients and loneliness, particularly in the early stages after diagnosis.

Games on WinZO’s platform also often serve as a therapeutic tool to reduce stress, anxiety, and social isolation related to illness, providing distraction through entertainment, and enhancing mental agility among cancer patients. Casual social games like on WinZO’s platform offers cancer patients an avenue to explore alternative coping methods by playing games that improve cognitive benefits such as attention control, cognitive flexibility, and information processing, thereby addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety. WinZO’s users highlighted how its games have struck a chord with patients undergoing cancer treatment and facing the associated mental health challenges. They have mentioned how it made them part of the larger community and provided a sense of belonging through physical isolation. This drastically reduced their anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Nachiket Mor, Scientist at The Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health, further highlighted the potential of gaming in healthcare, "Cancer patients often face significant mental health challenges, with up to 90% experiencing anxiety and many older adults battling loneliness post-diagnosis. The fight against cancer can leave you with long-term mental health issues, not only for the patient but also for their families. Online gaming offers a promising yet underutilized tool to support mental well-being, improve treatment adherence, and educate patients in an engaging and non-intimidating way. By integrating gaming into cancer care, we can foster resilience, enhance patient support, and create a more compassionate healthcare system, providing a significant avenue to support patients during times of crisis and for addressing long-term challenges such as depression, anxiety, and more."

A cancer survivor and user of WinZO, shared their experience, "Gaming on WinZO’s platform was a huge relief for me. Whenever I felt anxious or overwhelmed, I would take a few minutes to play, focusing on my strategy and the game rather than my worries. The fast-paced games, often lasting just 2-3 minutes, redirected my energy toward something positive and mentally engaging. Whether solving word puzzles or working with numbers, these games distracted me and built my mental skills, keeping me motivated and optimistic during challenging times.”

About WinZO

WinZO is the largest social gaming and interactive entertainment platform in India. Launched in early 2018, the Company partners with third-party developers to host games on their platform, where users can enjoy personalized multiplayer gameplay experiences. The platform is available in 15 languages such as English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, and Bhojpuri, with over 200 million registered users. The WinZO platform facilitates over 5 billion game plays across a portfolio of 100+ games. WinZO is focused on building an enthusiastic community of gamers and gaming influencers in Tier 2 – 5 cities in India. The company envisions a future where the WinZO platform can deliver a culturally relevant and enjoyable experience in the Indian gaming ecosystem, monetized through a unique micro-transaction model.​​

WinZO, a series-C funded venture, has raised $100 million from Marquee gaming and entertainment investors such as Griffin Gaming Partners, Courtside Ventures, Makers Fund, all of whom made their first investment in the Indian start-up ecosystem through WinZO.

Accenture and Bengaluru-based HCG Partner for Advance AI-powered Cancer Research, Care

HealthCare Global Enterprises Limited (HCG), one of the largest cancer care networks in India, and Accenture have announced a collaboration to accelerate cancer research and care using advanced AI technologies, including generative AI and deep learning on multi-dimensional and multi-omic patient data. This innovative, data-driven program aims to enhance early detection and treatment for various types of cancer in South Asia.

The collaboration will leverage AI, including generative AI and deep learning, to analyze multi-dimensional and multi-omic patient data.

This strategic partnership combines Accenture’s global expertise and talent in data and AI including AI/ML, generative AI, and quantum computing with deep clinical insights from HCG in oncology to enable early detection and treatment for various types of cancer.

Accenture will use advanced technologies such as image analysis software, informatics, and novel algorithms to study molecular alterations and develop new drug targets.

The initiative aims to advance the quality of therapy and care by enabling new treatment algorithms for precision medicine.

The collaboration will showcase data-driven clinical practice and enhance the overall efficiency of patient care. This partnership is expected to play a pivotal role in cancer research and care, addressing the needs of patients and benefiting the global healthcare industry.

Dr. B. S. Ajaikumar, Executive Chairman of HCG, emphasized the importance of tech-driven advancements in research and academics for optimizing cancer care.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, HCG has also worked with Microsoft to implement cloud-based solutions and AI technologies for better data management and analysis in oncology. In April 2022, HCG launched Extended Reality Lab using the Microsoft HoloLens 2 at the HCG Cancer Hospital Bengaluru.

HCG operates multiple entities, including tertiary care hospitals, cancer care centers, and diagnostic centers.

Senthil Ramani, global lead of Data and AI at Accenture, said, “Next-gen computing, including generative AI, combined with deep biological and clinical expertise, can play a pivotal role in cancer research and care, addressing needs of patients and benefiting the global healthcare industry at large. Together with HCG, we are blending our global expertise in data and AI along with life sciences R&D to rapidly and accurately improve decision-making for the treatment and care for cancer patients in South Asia, and across the world.”

Accenture Invests in Dr. Sam Gambhir Co-Founded Earli to Expand Collabs with Global Health, Pharma Co.s

On August 19, 2024, Accenture announced a strategic investment in Earli Inc. through Accenture Ventures. Earli Inc. is a biotechnology company that has developed a novel approach, "Synthetic Biopsies", for early cancer detection using a synthetic targeting platform. This platform selectively reprograms cancer cells to reveal and destroy themselves, enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of cancer detection.

This investment aims to support Earli's collaborations with global health and pharmaceutical companies, enabling more rapid and accurate cancer detection and treatment. The synthetic biopsy method developed by Earli is expected to significantly improve the precision and efficacy of new treatments and diagnostics.

Earli Inc. was founded in 2018, by Cyriac Roeding, David Suhy, and Dr. Sanjiv 'Sam' Gambhir. The company focuses on developing innovative technologies for early cancer detection.

Earli Inc. has attracted investments from several notable companies and venture capital firms. Some of the key investors include Khosla Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Perceptive Advisors, Casdin Capital, Sands Capital and Breyer Capital, among others.

The idea for Earli Inc.‘s early cancer detection technology stemmed from the founders’ combined expertise and personal motivations.

Earli's co-founder include Dr. Sanjiv 'Sam' Gambhir, who was a renowned physician-scientist and a pioneer in molecular imaging and early cancer detection. Born on November 23, 1962, in Ambala, Haryana, India, he moved to the United States with his family in 1969.

Dr. Sanjiv 'Sam' Gambhir

Dr. Gambhir held several prestigious positions at Stanford University, including the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor in Cancer Research, Chairman of the Department of Radiology, and Director of the Molecular Imaging Program at Stanford (MIPS). He was instrumental in advancing techniques for molecular imaging, particularly positron emission tomography (PET), which helps detect early signs of disease, especially cancer.

Throughout his career, Dr. Gambhir authored over 680 publications and held more than 40 patents. He was also a mentor to over 150 post-doctoral fellows and graduate students. Sadly, he passed away on July 18, 2020, due to cancer

Cyriac Roeding is a CEO/co-founder of Earli Inc and has a background in entrepreneurship and technology. Roeding was driven by the potential to make a significant impact on healthcare through innovative solutions. “Accenture’s impressive network of biopharma clients will be very impactful for Earli. It is fantastic to have Accenture support our mission to make cancer a benign experience," said Roeding, on Accenture's investment in his company.

While the other co-founder, David Suhy, is a scientist with extensive experience in gene therapy, Suhy brought a deep understanding of the biological mechanisms that could be leveraged for early cancer detection.

Earli’s mission is to transform cancer into a benign experience by solving one of the most difficult challenges in oncology: reliably distinguishing between healthy and cancerous cells.

Earli’s approach uses programmable genetic constructs that react and signal the presence of active cancer cells at an early stage. The synthetic biopsy approach enhances the sensitivity and specificity of cancer detection for an earlier diagnosis, allowing pharmaceutical and biotech companies to create personalized treatments more quickly and often at a lower cost.

Petra Jantzer, Ph.D., a senior managing director and global lead of the Accenture Life Sciences business, said, “Earli’s synthetic biopsy method is a step change in early cancer detection technologies and will offer significant advantages to biopharma companies by improving the precision and efficacy of new treatments and diagnostics, as well as in understanding the mechanisms of cancer progressions.”

Earli is the latest company to join Accenture Ventures’ Project Spotlight, an engagement and investment program working with companies that create or apply disruptive enterprise technologies. Project Spotlight offers extensive access to Accenture’s domain expertise and its enterprise clients, helping startups harness creativity and deliver on the promise of their technology. Additional biotechnology companies that have joined Project Spotlight include Turbine, QuantHealth, Virtonomy and Ocean Genomics.

India Is Now The 'Cancer Capital' In The World

The term "Cancer Capital" has been used in a recent reports to describe India due to its high trajectory of cancer cases surpassing global rates. The Health of Nation Report by Apollo Hospitals, released on World Health Day 2024, highlighted a concerning surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across India, including cancer.

The 4th edition of the Health of Nation Report by Apollo Hospitals, launched on World Health Day 2024, indicates that one in three Indians is pre-diabetic, two in three are pre-hypertensive, and one in ten suffers from depression, with NCDs manifesting at increasingly younger ages.

In India, the most prevalent cancers among women are breast, cervix, and ovary, while among men, they are lung, mouth, and prostate. Despite the lower median age for cancer diagnosis in India compared to other countries, cancer screening rates remain remarkably low, according to the hospital’s release.

This situation calls for immediate interventions and emphasizes the importance of regular health screenings to mitigate risks associated with NCDs. It's a complex issue that involves healthcare infrastructure, public awareness, and access to medical facilities. The report suggests that comprehensive screenings are becoming more common, indicating a growing awareness of health and wellness among the populace.

The Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) landscape in India. Here are some key highlights from the report:

Rising Incidence of NCDs: The report emphasizes the alarming increase in NCDs in India, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health issues.

Cancer Capital Concern: It notes the escalating incidence of cancer in India, which is higher than global rates, leading to the term "cancer capital of the world" being used in reference to India.

Younger Age Manifestation: There is a noted trend of NCDs manifesting at increasingly younger ages, indicating a shift in the health landscape.

Importance of Regular Health Screenings: The report highlights the critical role of regular health screenings in reducing blood pressure and body mass index levels, which can lower the risk of cardiac-related ailments.

Technology and Preventive Healthcare: Apollo Hospitals is integrating technology to improve disease prevention and diagnosis accuracy, aiming to provide personalized and effective healthcare services.

The report underscores the urgent need for interventions to combat the growing epidemic of NCDs and stresses the importance of educating the public and creating individualized preventive healthcare solutions.

Recommendations

Apollo Hospitals recommends several measures to address the rising incidence of cancer in India, focusing on prevention, early detection, and lifestyle changes. Here are some key recommendations:

1. Primary Prevention: This includes reducing or eliminating exposure to carcinogens, such as tobacco and alcohol, which are significant risk factors for various cancers.
2. Education: Compulsory education about the risks associated with tobacco, unhealthy sexual habits, and the benefits of a cancer-preventive diet is emphasized.
3. Diet and Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in micronutrients, proteins, and non-nutrients can have protective effects and help prevent cancer. Reducing the intake of red meat and fat, which are associated with an increased risk of colon and breast cancers, is also recommended.
4. Vaccination: Vaccines against oncogenic agents like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) for cervical cancer prevention and hepatitis B for liver cancer prevention are encouraged.
5. Screening: Regular health screenings, including tests for breast, cervix, colon, prostate, lung, skin, and oral cancers, are crucial for early detection.
6. Lifestyle Modifications: Avoiding tobacco and alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity are recommended to lower cancer risk.

These recommendations aim to create awareness and encourage proactive health management to reduce the burden of cancer in India. For more detailed information and personalized advice, it's best to consult with healthcare professionals at Apollo Hospitals

In A World’s 1st in Drug Discovery, AI Develops A Treatment for Cancer in 30 Days

Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a potential treatment for liver cancer using artificial intelligence

The team applied AlphaFold, an Al-powered protein structure database, to uncover a novel treatment pathway for cancer. The creation of the potential drug was accomplished in just 30 days, and the Al system can also predict a patient's survival rate.

According to the study published in the journal Chemical Science, researchers at the University of Toronto along with Insilico Medicine developed a potential treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) — the most common type of primary liver cancer — with an AI drug discovery platform called Pharma.AI, an end-to-end AI-powered drug discovery platform.

The study is being touted as the world’s first to apply a groundbreaking AI technology, AlphaFold, to drug discovery research.

The researchers included a biocomputational engine, PandaOmics, and a generative chemistry engine, Chemistry42. They discovered a novel target for HCC – a previously undiscovered treatment pathway – and developed a “novel hit molecule” that could bind to that target without the aid of an experimentally determined structure.

The scientists first used AI to scan HCC for protein “weak spots.” Once one was detected, another program designed small molecules that could target and take down the specific protein, the paper says. Researchers then tested these molecules on live cells, one of which appeared effective at slowing cancer growth.

This feat was accomplished in just 30 days from target selection and after only synthesizing seven compounds.

“This paper is further evidence of the capacity for AI to transform the drug discovery process with enhanced speed, efficiency, and accuracy,” Michael Levitt, a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, said. “Bringing together the predictive power of AlphaFold and the target and drug-design power of Insilico Medicine’s Pharma.AI platform, it’s possible to imagine that we’re on the cusp of a new era of AI-powered drug discovery.”

In a statement, Alex Zhavoronkov, founder and CEO of Insilico medicine, said, "While the world was fascinated with advances in generative AI in art and language, our generative AI algorithms managed to design potent inhibitors of a target with an AlphaFold-derived structure."

Insilico Medicine is a biotechnology company based in Hong Kong and New York.

AlphaFold is an artificial intelligence program developed by DeepMind, a subsidiary of Alphabet, the parent company of Google.

Last year, AlphaFold predicted protein structures for the whole human genome – a remarkable breakthrough in both AI applications and structural biology.

Cancer Screening on Wheel by MRNH and IIT-Hyderabad

Launch of Cancer Screening on Wheels by Malla Reddy Narayana Hospitals and IIT Hyderabad

Association between IIT Hyderabad (IITH) and Malla Reddy Narayana hospitals (MRNH) to extend free Cancer screening programs to adopted villages as part of Institute-Corporate Social Contribution activities carried out by the RDC at IITH.

Malla Reddy Narayana Hospitals (MRNH), Suraram, Jeedimetla, Hyderabad initiated the Cancer Screening program in association with IIT Hyderabad (IITH). The program was launched today by Mr Haragopal, Director Finance, MRNH, and Prof B S Murty, Director, IITH, with the Screening of 100+ Contract Workers at IITH by the MRNH Team at Primary Health Centre (PHC), IITH. The Cancer screening drive is done on a large Eicher bus fully loaded with all screening equipment. The Cancer screening Coach has been supported by the Rotary Club of Ameerpet, Operated and managed by the MRNH Team.

The Cancer Screening Bus has facilities like Doctor Consulting Room, Mammography, Colposcopy, X-ray, and reporting room. It also provides television to display the preventive videos and has a separate washroom inbuilt. MRNH has developed an exclusive, well-trained team to drive the Cancer Screening program on Wheels.

Thanking Dr Bhadra Reddy, Chairman, and Mr Haragopal, Director Finance, MRNH, for this generous gesture, Prof B S Murty said, “Through this collaboration with MRNH, we would like to take the Cancer Screening to the doorsteps of villagers in all the villages adopted by IITH. We should maximize the reach of the Cancer screening drive to the masses. Rural Development Centre (RDC) at IITH is happy to associate with the MRNH team to execute these programs from Preventive talks to mega screening camps in every nearby village.”

Enlisting numerous benefits of preventative healthcare, Mr Haragopal, Director Finance, MRNH, said, “Stress, habits & exercise have a significant implication on one’s health. I appreciate that IITH has come forward to understand the various kinds of ailments people are encountering, especially Cancer. Early detection, regular counseling on habits, and taking control over stress in life are the proper preventative care. We are here to work with IITH for cancer-preventive programs within the campus and outside the campus & will do our best to provide world-class care to treat patients if needed at our Cancer Institute.”

Speaking on Occasion, Rotary Club Members of Ameerpet, said, “We are always in the forefront for any CSR activities which is beneficial to society at large And to run cancer screening programs across the state, we found the right partner - MRNH to operate, manage and execute the programs on Wheels by providing the Cancer screening Bus. We wish the entire team of IITH and MRNH for taking this forward.”

A team from MRNH & IITH supported this program that include, Dr Swapna Jilla - consultant and Head - MRNH, Cancer Hospital, Dr Parappa - Head, Public Dental Health, MRNH, Meera Augustine - GM Nursing, MRNH, Dr Beulah, Dr Manjari, and Dr Sripriya from MRNH and Prof Ramesh G, Chair - RDC, Dr Prasad Onkar - Faculty-in-Charge - Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, IITH, Dr Anil, Dr Raja, Dr Baishakhi, Dr Sonia, Doctors, IITH and IITH Clinic Staff. Mr Mahender Pala, Chief Operating Officer, MRNH, and Ms Mitalee, PRO, IITH were also present.

AI-enabled Pathology Software Maker Crosscope Ties with Mindpeak to Improve Cancer Diagnosis with Digital Pathology Image Analysis

Crosscope Inc. a leading provider of AI-enabled digital pathology software and Mindpeak Gmbh, known for building sophisticated AI tools for clinical diagnosis, today announced their partnership to integrate MIndpeak’s image analysis tools into the Crosscope’s Digital Pathology platform. This partnership will enable Crosscope to expand its portfolio of AI applications and deliver end-to-end digital pathology solutions.

Mindpeak has developed tools that analyze immunohistochemically stained tissue samples by immediately detecting, classifying, and quantifying breast cancer cells. Crosscope Dx, a workflow integrated vendor-agnostic digital pathology platform will use Mindpeak’s CE-marked BreastIHC and follow-on products each as a supplementary module within the workflow software which will enable pathologists with diagnostics support in the evaluation of histology images or image sections. With this strategic partnership, Crosscope will be the authorized partner of Mindpeak for India and Emerging Markets.

“This collaboration will be instrumental in leveraging the strengths of both the companies to provide end-to-end solutions for all kinds of Histopathology workflows thereby providing best-in-class AI tools seamlessly integrated into a single platform,” said Crosscope CEO - Dr. Jayendra Shinde. This partnership enables the integration of image analysis solutions for ER, PR, and Ki-67 IHC stainings into Crosscope that will immensely support pathologists to improve the efficiency of their pathology labs and provide a timely diagnosis for their patients ultimately impacting their treatment and outcomes.

“With our AI software BreastIHC now also available via the Crosscope platform in the USA, Europe, and e.g. India we are making a significant contribution to the AI-adoption of pathology”, explains Felix Faber, CEO of Mindpeak. Crosscope, as a leading AI software provider in digital pathology, wants to ensure that Mindpeak’s cutting-edge technology is available for the pathology community to enable digital transformation in the pathology laboratories in India & emerging markets, USA and Europe.

About Mindpeak GmbH

Mindpeak, founded by Felix Faber and Dr. Tobias Lang, has been developing image analysis software for pathologists based on artificial intelligence since 2018. Partnering with several international laboratories and leading pathology service providers, Mindpeak is continuously expanding its product range and developing it into an indispensable component of digitized pathology workflows with focus on aiding pathologists in primary diagnostics.

Contact | Dr. Anil Berger | Email: anil.berger@mindpeak.ai

For more information visit: https://www.mindpeak.ai/ or connect on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Crosscope Inc.

Crosscope; abbreviated for “Computational Microscope” is a medical AI software company on a mission to radically transform patient care by unlocking the power of AI. The company’s Crosscope Dx software is a digital pathology platform to facilitate deploying scalable Artificial Intelligence and Computational Pathology tools to empower pathology laboratories with precision diagnostics. Crosscope’s team of engineers, data scientists, and pathologists are developing a unique platform and AI approach to deliver efficient pathology workflows for increased diagnostic accuracy and productivity.

India's Datar Cancer Genetics Granted "Breakthrough Designation" for Early-Stage Breast Cancer Detection Blood Test By US FDA

Representative

It is the first blood test able to detect early-stage Breast Cancer with high accuracy in women above the age of 40 years

Datar Cancer Genetics, a leading cancer research company today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted ‘Breakthrough Designation’ for its blood test to detect early-stage Breast Cancer.

The blood test uses a proprietary technology developed by the company to detect Circulating Tumor Cells and Clusters specific to Breast Cancer with very high accuracy. Data from clinical trials has shown that the test can detect Stage 0 (DCIS) and Stage 1 Breast Cancers with accuracy of better than 99% without any false positives. The test has been validated on more than 20,000 women comprising healthy and cancer patients. The test requires only 5 ml blood and does not involve exposure to any radiation or discomfort associated with mammography.

In India more than 1.7 lac women are detected with Breast Cancer, mostly at stage III or IV which makes the treatment toxic and expensive besides minimal chances of success. If detected early, Breast Cancer can be cured in almost 99% of the cases.

"This is for the first time that women above the age of 40 can obtain a Breast Cancer specific blood test in consultation with their physician from the convenience and privacy of their home or office. We are pleased with the recognition by the US FDA of our test as a breakthrough technology which is a momentous milestone. It underscores the potential of the test which we believe will revolutionize the early detection and cure of this dreaded disease worldwide. Moreover, it is a matter of great pride that our scientists and clinicians from India have put the country at the centre stage of global cancer research and this is an example of the Prime Minister’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission." said Mr.Rajan Datar, Chairman of the Company.

The test is already available in Europe and is CE marked. The test will be available in India shortly as ‘EasyCheck’ and will be reasonably priced. The Company is in discussions with several leading healthcare providers for ready accessibility.

The Company has also validated a blood test to detect multiple cancers including several extremely lethal malignancies such as Lung, Pancreas and Ovaries and will be available next year.

About Datar Cancer Genetics

Datar Cancer Genetics is a leading cancer research corporation specialising in non-invasive techniques for better diagnosis, treatment decisions, and management of cancer. The Company’s state-of-the-art cancer research centre is NABL, ISO, CAP and CLIA accredited. The Company serves cancer patients in the UK, European Union, United States, GCC and India.

Biotech Startup Mestastop Solutions Raises 1.3 Cr from CIIE.CO to Map the Anatomy of Cancer Using Deep-dive Analysis

• Mestastop aims to make a difference by understanding metastasis biology and addressing it, for both diagnostics and drug discovery
• Using their predictive analogy, the company is also building a platform that will diagnose patients that have a higher chance of cancer metastasis

Bengaluru-based Biotechnology startup Mestastop Solutions  Pvt. Ltd has raised a new INR 1.3 Crores seed funding round, led by CIIE.CO and including participation from IKP Knowledge Park and Angels. 

Mestastop will use the funding to scale its AI-based platform METSCAN, which characterizes cancer cells using patient data samples and their assay panels to understand the cell behaviour. It will further be utilised for running PoC animal model studies to validate proof of concept for Cancer drug discovery and repurposing.

Founded in the year 2018, the start-up’s unique edge is to be “the metastasis specialists”, by creating a world-class R&D leveraging the unique strengths of being in India. The company is based in Bengaluru, where they are bringing together a cross-functional team, trained in discovery, diagnostics and AI, supported by the state-of-the-art infrastructure available in India’s best bioscience incubators. Dr Arnab Roy Chowdhury and his wife Dr Debabani Roy Chowdhury are the brains behind Mestastop which looks at bringing a revolution in cancer treatment.

Cancer metastasis, a complex biological process, is responsible for 90% of cancer-related deaths. According to Emergen Research 2020 report, the Global Metastatic Cancer Treatment Market is projected to be worth USD 111.16 Billion by 2027. Mestastop is creating a cancer metastasis focused  platform which uses wet lab biology and predictive analytics to identify and distinguish unique properties of metastasis and leverage them for drug discovery and patient treatment. Mestastop has mimicked metastasis biology in multiple steps, each being represented by a cell-based functional assay. Summatively, these assays provide a biological model that will expedite the in vitro drug discovery efforts against metastasis. The colorectal and triple negative breast cancer-based platform is ready and Mestastop is normalizing the colorectal platform with patient sample data.

Speaking on the announcement, Dr Arnab Roy Chowdhury, Founder & CEO, Mestastop states, “An evolutionary disease like cancer cannot be holistically targeted without targeting metastasis, a process that is complex and is yet to be fully understood. We have successfully created tools and platforms to decipher this biology, translated it with patient data, and then into animal models completing our first phase. Now we endeavour on the bigger journey of using these tools for first-in-class metastasis drug discovery and predictive diagnostics, that will give terminal cancer patients a second shot at life, further reinforcing India’s image as one of the pioneering innovation hubs in the Biotech world."

Currently, the company has initiated testing patient data samples as well as animal model validation. In addition to this, one international patent has been filed and another provisional patent  is currently being drafted.

“Globally, there are several startups focusing on cancer diagnostics and drug discovery. Mestastop is creating a niche for itself using assay and genetically engineered cell-based approaches to develop an AI-based platform to predict metastasis and we are delighted to partner with them on this journey. We believe that their platform will play an instrumental role in changing cancer treatment in India and the world around,” Said Chintan Antani, AVP, Seed Investments, CIIE.CO.

Mestastop has developed three proprietary platforms - METAssay, METSCAN, and METVivo to unravel metastasis drug discovery and predictive diagnostics. The company is currently working on validating its platforms on a larger sample of patient tumours that will empower its IP creation. Previously the company also received an investment from Vistari Ventures and Mumbai Angels.

About CIIE.CO:

CIIE.CO is The Innovation Continuum. This continuum spreads across incubation, acceleration, seed and growth funding, and research. Founded at IIM Ahmedabad in 2002, as an academic centre, CIIE.CO has grown and pivoted to include acceleration, incubation, investment, research and publication. Overall, we have aimed at filling the multiple, ever-evolving gaps in the Indian innovation-driven entrepreneurship space in many ways. Among various initiatives, CIIE.CO has conceptualised and hosted India’s first accelerator, created India’s first and so far the only cleantech-focused fund, accelerated over 1000 entrepreneurs, invested in over 160 startups, inspired over a million with their publications, including Stay Hungry Stay Foolish.

All the initiatives on the innovation continuum are aimed at supporting fearless, innovation-driven entrepreneurs. Working with like-minded partners like corporates, government agencies, investors and academia, helps us push harder towards co-creating exponential change.

About MestaStop:

Mestastop Solutions is a deep-dive biotech start-up focussed around cancer metastasis, which involves the spreading of the tumor that is responsible for 90% of cancer deaths. Mestastop has developed three proprietary platforms METAssay™, METSCAN™, and METVivo™ to unravel metastasis drug discovery and predictive diagnostics. The company is currently working on validating its platforms on a larger sample of patient tumors that will empower its IP creation.

Launch of ESMO Virtual Plenaries Brings Rapid Access to Ground-breaking Cancer Research

ESMO, the leading organisation for medical oncology, has launched an important new service for rapidly disseminating research to accelerate the transition of results into practice for the benefit of cancer patients.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210217005495/en/

 

(Graphic: ESMO)

“In a world that runs fast, timeliness in bringing research advances to patients is critical. The lessons that we have learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic have taught us that we need to be creative in sharing research results, and we certainly don’t have to wait for the two or three times in the year when major oncology congresses take place,” says Solange Peters, ESMO President.

 

ESMO Virtual Plenaries will combine concise presentations of new data, insightful discussion and audience Q&A in live, easy-to-access, 60-minute online sessions at convenient times across international time zones. They will remain available on OncologyPRO, ESMO’s online resource portal, for subsequent viewing.

Every month, latest, original scientific data will be presented from randomised phase III oncology trials or phase II trials which demonstrate remarkable therapeutic benefit, scientific insight or progress in an area of unmet need.

“By timely presentation of clinical and scientific data, ESMO Virtual Plenaries will be complementary to and enhance the value of conventional scientific congresses, whilst adhering to the principles of peer review, analysis and audience interaction,” says George Pentheroudakis, ESMO Chief Medical Officer.

A maximum of two abstracts will be accepted for presentation each month (except September and November when ESMO hosts major congresses). Abstracts will be original data from international investigators, selected by appropriate independent ESMO specialists. After presentation and discussion in ESMO Virtual Plenaries, abstracts will be published in Annals of Oncology and will be eligible for encore presentation at the next ESMO Congress.

The first ESMO Virtual Plenary is on Friday, 19 February, 1300 CET  

Efficacy of everolimus in patients with HR+/HER2- high risk early-stage breast cancer

 

The ESMO Virtual Plenaries are freely available to all healthcare professionals working in Oncology. ESMO Members or anyone with an already existing free ESMO Account will be able to log in and watch using their existing ESMO Account.

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210217005495/en/

Health-Tech Firm NIRAMAI Announces Partnership with Healthspring

NIRAMAI Team

Mumbai, December 28, 2020: Healthspring, a pioneer of primary healthcare in India partners with NIRAMAI Health Analytix, India's leading deep-tech healthcare company to offer their screening solution Thermalytix for early detection of breast cancer. With the aim to increase awareness on the subject, this association will enable women to understand the importance of timely examination. This screening will be available at Healthspring clinics in Mumbai and Pune for individuals and corporates. 

Healthspring is a personalized healthcare services venture based in Mumbai, India. The company operates a chain of primary healthcare clinics in India. According to WHO, one in 22 women is at the risk of developing a breast abnormality in her lifetime. It is a well-established fact that early diagnosis is critical in saving the life of a cancer patient. The collaboration with Healthspring will involve a promotion that has special offers on in-clinic screenings and community screenings in residential localities. The campaign will be conducted in Mumbai first.

Niramai's proprietary solution 'Thermalytix' uses a high-resolution thermal sensing device and a cloud-hosted analytics solution for analyzing thermal images using artificial intelligence and machine learning for reliable, early and accurate breast cancer screening. Recently Niramai launched a solution for Screening Covid symptoms using similar thermal-based technology. Niramai is addressing such critical healthcare problems through automated AI-led solutions. This screening tool that can be operated by a simple clinician has led to 10 US granted patents and won several prestigious awards.

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr Gautam Sen, Chairman and Founder of Healthspring, said, "Cancer amongst women over 40 years of age is a common phenomenon. It is our honour to collaborate with NIRAMAI Solutions to raise awareness on the matter. NIRAMAI is effortlessly working towards helping women take appropriate measures to ensure their wellbeing. Through this association, we at Healthspring look forward to encouraging as many patients as possible to undertake timely examinations and suitable medical attention."

Dr. Geetha Manjunath, Founder & CEO, Niramai said, "Breast cancer is a condition that affects far too many women across the globe. Our goal is to educate and spread awareness amongst women about our pain-less, non-touch, radiation-free clinically approved screening services. We're looking forward to working with Healthspring to benefit patients in urban and semi-urban areas."

About NIRAMAI: https://www.niramai.com/

Niramai Health Analytix is a deep-tech company with expertise in thermal imaging and AI. Niramai has developed an innovative AI Engine called Thermalytix™ which enables a radiation-free, non-invasive, non-touch, breast cancer screening solution for hospitals and diagnostic centers. NIRAMAI has recently also developed a new solution called FeverTest for Automated COVID Screening leveraging its expertise in thermal imaging and AI.

The innovative machine learning techniques used in Niramai's solution have led to 10 granted patents in the US. Niramai has won many awards including the National Startup Award 2020, Gold prize in Hack Osaka 2019, Aegis Graham Bell Award, Elevate 100, Frost and Sullivan Award and has been part of accelerators such as Google Launchpad, Philips Healthworks, Nvidia Inception, BIRAC Winner and others. Niramai is the only Indian company listed on the 2019 Top AI 100 startups in the world announced by CB Insights. NIRAMAI recently announced a partnership with Apollo Clinics to take Niramai solution pan-India.

About Healthspring: https://www.healthspring.in/

Incorporated in 2010, Healthspring operates a network of primary care clinics. With an aim to create awareness about the importance of Preventive Healthcare, Healthspring offers services such as doctor consultations, physiotherapy, diet consultations, diagnostic services, pharmacy, 24x7 on-call support and unique doctor led 24x7 medical emergency response all under one roof. Driven by a core team of believers, Healthspring today is 8,00,000 customers strong. Healthspring has 25 clinics and is growing rapidly; it has serviced over 200 corporates and is operational across cities through their extended network. The goal is to be dependable for the patient in his/her hour of need and to deliver service with the highest ethics

AI-based Oncology Startup NIRAMAI to Provide Contactless Breast Cancer Screening to Dr. Ambadi’s Calicut Centre for Surgery

Dr. Ambadi’s Calicut Centre for Surgery (CCS) located at Metromed Hospital has partnered with NIRAMAI Health Analytix, India’s foremost AI-based breast cancer screening company, to offer contactless, privacy-sensitive, breast cancer screening services to customers.

Niramai’s innovative solution called ‘Thermalytix’, is an automated breast health screening and diagnostic tool, which combines thermal imaging with artificial intelligence. The solution is non-contact, radiation-free, accurate, automated, and works on women of all age groups. Given that it is portable and low-cost than other methods, the solution makes cancer screening more accessible and affordable to all.

With this collaboration, women can also avail of home-screening services which will bring this novel non-touch breast cancer screening solution to the door-step of homes reducing the need to go to a hospital during the pandemic. Only female technicians will provide this service following all covid safety precautions and women can avail of this service with a prior appointment. The test will be conducted in complete privacy without any physical contact. NIRAMAI Thermalytix test is appropriate for women of 18 years and above. It is privacy-aware, non-invasive, radiation-free, and can detect the minutest of lumps or other abnormalities.

Dr. Geetha Manjunath, Founder & CEO, Niramai, added, “We are excited to partner with Dr. Ambadi’s Calicut Centre for Surgery to take our clinically proven Thermalytix screening service to many more women in India and help save lives. Today, the pandemic has impacted our lives in an unprecedented way. People are unable to go to hospitals for their regular health check-ups or other ailments. Niramai is providing multiple services to cater to this new requirement. We are also conducting many free programs to raise awareness amongst women about early detection of breast cancer and educating the masses on the importance of frequent checks. .”

Dr. Abdurahman Ambadi, Chairman & Chief Laparoscopic Surgeon of CCS, said, “We are committed to offering the best surgical healthcare services to our customers. Collaborating with an innovative company like Niramai to offer early-stage breast screening will surely be beneficial to our patients.”

Niramai Health Analytix is a deep-tech company with expertise in thermal imaging and AI. They have developed an innovative AI Engine called Thermalytix™ which enables a radiation-free, non-invasive, non-touch, breast cancer screening solution for hospitals and diagnostic centers. NIRAMAI has recently also developed a new solution called FeverTest for Automated COVID Screening leveraging its expertise in thermal imaging and AI.

The innovative machine learning techniques used in Niramai’s solution have led to 9 US granted patents. Niramai has won many awards including the Gold prize in Hack Osaka 2019, Aegis Graham Bell Award, Frost and Sullivan Award and has been part of accelerators such as Google Launchpad, Philips Healthworks, Nvidia Inception, BIRAC Winner, Elevate 100, and others. Niramai is the only Indian company listed on the 2019 Top AI 100 startups in the world announced by CB Insights.


Niramai also organizes health-first webinars on diverse topics every month with participation from well-known health experts. You can find more details on https://niramai.org/

About Dr. Ambadi’s Calicut Centre for Surgery

Dr. Ambadi’s Calicut Centre for Surgery (CSS) is a surgical specialty hospital located at Metromed Hospital Complex in the heart of Calicut city. A dedicated centre for every surgical solution; CCS provides quality surgical care through the leading surgeons of the city, and with least possible hospitalization.


Our departments include General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surgery, Bariatric Surgery, Surgical Gastroenterology, Surgical Oncology, Surgical Gynecology, Pediatric Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery, and Maxillofacial Surgery. We also offer surgical consultations on a prior appointment basis. For more information and appointments, call: 0495 2430333 / 7994400333

"Don’t Shy Away"- An Online Event on 18th Oct for World Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Samrohana Foundation in association with OncoStem presents a webinar on 18th October to build awareness about self breast examination, key tips to reduce risk of breast cancer, early detection and treatment of breast cancer

 

To mark World Breast Cancer awareness month observed in October, Samrohana Cancer Foundation in association with Oncology startup OncoStem will host "Don't Shy Away", an online event to build awareness about self breast examination, early detection, tips to reduce risk of breast cancer and treatment of breast cancer. The virtual event will be held on 18th October from 12 Noon to 1PM.

 

For registration visit www.bookmyshow.com or call 9482202240

As per WHO, breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, affecting more than 2.09 million women globally every year. In India, as per Globocan 2018 data, 1,62,468 breast cancer cases were registered in 2018. In spite of the growing awareness about the incidence of breast cancer, most women are unaware about the need for regular self breast examination, it's importance in early detection and successful treatment. Breast cancer is one of the cancers with best cure rates. Detecting breast cancer early increases the chance of cure. When detected in the early stages, low risk breast cancer patients have the possibility of avoiding aggressive treatments like Chemotherapy.

The event will touch upon aspects of self breast exam, tips to identify breast cancer before it's too late, signs to look for and common questions on breast cancer prevention. Moderated by Dr V Sreekanth Reddy, the event will comprise an esteemed panel of Oncology experts, cancer survivors and influencers. The panelists for the event are Dr Suresh Babu, Dr Arunima Chandra, Dr Manjiri Bakre, Dr Sandeep Nayak, Dr Bharath G, Dr Harsha Doddihal, Ms Meghana Muskan, Mr Aji Joseph, and Pinkathon Ambassador Ms Swati Mukund.

Commenting on the event, Dr Sandeep Nayak, Oncologist and Founder, Samrohana Foundation said " The idea behind hosting this event is to create conversation and build awareness about the need for self breast examination. A lot of women are unaware about the simple steps for breast self exam and how it can help in early detection. Through this event, we invite women and men to be part of this discussion and educate their loved ones about breast cancer treatment, detection and care"

When: 18th October, 12 -1PM

What: Don't Shy Away - A virtual event to build awareness about breast cancer

Where:   https://bit.ly/30ECT4l

 

World’s First Integrative Oncology Healthtech Platform, ZenOnco.io, Recognized at ESMO for its Artificial Intelligence-Based Free Cancer Treatment Guidance

ZenOnco.io, the World’s First Integrative Oncology healthtech platform, has received global recognition at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Annual Virtual Congress on September 21, 2020 for introducing the World’s First Artificial Intelligence-based tool to generate directional cancer treatment reports free of cost: ZIOPAR (ZenOnco.io Integrative Oncology Preliminary Assessment Report). This tool is accessible for free at https://zenonco.io/ziopar/.

This is soon after ZenOnco.io launched India’s first online cancer community – CANNECT dedicated to connecting cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and other healthcare professionals to share their experiences and knowledge to inspire each other. Cancer warriors can join CANNECT for free at https://zenonco.io/community/.

Both these accomplishments have been in collaboration with its sister concern Love Heals Cancer (section 80G registered NGO). ZenOnco.io and Love Heals Cancer guide cancer patients free of cost in their treatment journey right from the beginning: This includes choosing the right oncologist / hospital, multi-disciplinary tumor board, getting diagnostic tests, managing side effects of treatment, chemo drugs at affordable price, onco-nutrition consultation, emotional wellness, home care, and connecting with other cancer warriors. ZenOnco.io provides 360-degree care to cancer patients through its in-house team of dedicated doctors available 24/7 to guide cancer patients in their treatment journey.

The ratio of oncologists to cancer patients is poor at 1:2000 in India, which results in a low quality of care for many cancer patients. 85% cancer patients prefer to know the possible treatment options. ZIOPAR provides Artificial Intelligence-based directional cancer treatment reports free of cost to patients to guide them on possible treatment options, covering both medical as well as complementary treatment approaches. Cancer patients are required to provide six basic inputs that determine the output of the report (detailed up to 20-25 pages), with information on medical treatment options, diagnostic tests required, and complementary treatment approaches (including guidelines on nutrition, fitness, stress-management, and symptom management). ZIOPAR is based on standard protocols, guidelines and research by esteemed organizations in oncology, such as ESMO, Society of Integrative Oncology (SIO), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and others.

ZIOPAR has already benefitted 21,000+ cancer patients and caregivers across 16 countries by providing detailed directional cancer treatment reports. ZIOPAR is free to use to empower and educate millions of cancer patients in knowing their possible treatment options, asking the right questions to their doctors, and being confident in their treatment.

CANNECT is another free platform introduced by ZenOnco.io to make quality Integrative Oncology cancer care accessible to all. It connects cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and other healthcare professionals to share their experiences and knowledge to inspire each other.

Kishan Shah, Co-founder of ZenOnco.io and Love Heals Cancer, says, “Being recognised globally at the ESMO Annual Virtual Congress 2020 is a testimony to our dedication to making quality Integrative Oncology cancer care accessible to all. ZIOPAR is the result of countless months of efforts puts in by oncologists, scientists, technology team and feedback from patients. It empowers cancer patients to ask the right questions to ensure that they are on the right treatment path. We have already helped 21,000+ cancer patients through ZIOPAR, but there is still a huge scope to help millions of more cancer patients. We are also very proud to launch India’s first cancer community – CANNECT to bring together thousands of cancer warriors.”

Dimple Parmar, Co-founder of ZenOnco.io and Love Heals Cancer, adds, “ZIOPAR is an advanced tool based on Artificial Intelligence and protocols issued by international bodies. The purpose of the tool is to educate and empower cancer patients to know their indicative treatment plan on both medical as well as complementary treatment fronts. Along with guidance on treatment, we have also been receiving requests from thousands of cancer patients that they want to connect with other cancer warriors who have either gone through a similar cancer journey or are going through it. CANNECT brings together all cancer warriors so that they can connect with, learn from and inspire each other. Because we heal together in a community.”

Link to ZIOPAR: https://zenonco.io/ZIOPAR/
Link to CANNECT: https://zenonco.io/community/

PAYBACK India Partners with 'YouWeCan' Foundation in its Fight Against Cancer

PAYBACK India, the country’s largest multi-brand loyalty program, extends support to ‘YouWeCan’ Cancer Foundation to aid the treatment of children suffering from cancer. The foundation, an initiative by ace cricketer Yuvraj Singh, works extensively on cancer control in India through cancer awareness programs, cancer screening centres, treatment support and survivor empowerment.

Talking about the partnership with ‘YouWeCan’ Foundation, Mr. Ramakant Khandelwal, CMO, PAYBACK India, says, “We are pleased to be part of this noble initiative by Yuvraj Singh. We have seen the spirit behind YouWeCan foundation, its impact on the people, and we hope our support will further strengthen the efforts. Through this partnership, we want to support the fight against cancer, especially for children, who are the future and have the right to live a deserving life.” 

This partnership deepens our relationship with cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who was roped in as PAYBACK India’s brand ambassador in 2019.

On having PAYBACK India as partner support, Yuvraj Singh, cricketer & founder, YouWeCan Foundations, said, “I'm very happy that PAYBACK has partnered with us to support the cancer treatment of children from underprivileged backgrounds. This will go a long way in strengthening the fight against cancer in India. I hope that more corporates come forward and join us in our mission to build an India which is empowered to defeat cancer."

The YouWeCan Foundation organises regular awareness programmes in rural areas with a focus on oral, breast and cervical cancers in addition to providing tobacco-cessation counselling. Also, for cancer screening, there are district-level community health centres. There are anti-tobacco workshops organised in corporate, colleges, community centres and hospitals across the country.

The foundation runs a Treatment Fund for Paediatric patients, providing financial assistance to underprivileged families with a household income of up to Rs 2 lakhs per annum. 

In India, it is estimated that over 50,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. Moreover, the mortality rate for cancer in India is an estimated 4x – 6x higher than the USA and UK, mainly due to lack of awareness, stigma, late diagnosis, poor access to care and high cost of treatment. The average cost of cancer treatment in India is between Rs 4-6 lakhs, and over 85% of the population does not earn that much annually. 

About PAYBACK India:

PAYBACK is India’s largest multi-brand loyalty program offering its 100 Million+ members multitude of benefits. It has over 100 partners including affiliate brands participating in the PAYBACK Network across categories, in-store as well as online, namely American Express, ICICI Bank, Big Bazaar, Central, Home Town, Brand Factory, HPCL, Bookmyshow, Cleartrip, Amazon, Flipkart and many more. With such a varied portfolio of partners, PAYBACK Members can earn points on everyday shopping and redeem for attractive rewards of their preference.

PAYBACK India has been a recipient of numerous awards including ‘Best Use of Partnership in a Loyalty Program & Best Big Data Analytics Team of the Year’ – Customer Fest in 2019; ‘Best Card Based Loyalty Program, Best Use of Partnership in a Loyalty Program & Best Big Data Analytics Team of the Year’ – Customer Fest in 2018 and North India Best Employer Award 2018.

About YouWeCan Foundation:

The YouWeCan Foundation is a non-profit organisation established by cricketer and cancer survivor Yuvraj Singh. The foundation works extensively on cancer control in India, with a focus on cancer awareness, screening, treatment support and survivor empowerment. 

Over the past five years, the YouWeCan Foundation has implemented projects across the country and has screened over 150,000 people for different forms of cancer, sensitised 125,000 students through cancer awareness workshops and counselled over 24,000 men on tobacco cessation. The foundation has recently partnered with Government of Goa to screen 100,000 women in Goa for breast caner over the next two years.