7 June 2018

ScreenPoint Medical, a spin-off of Radboud university medical center, has raised 4.3 million euros from Siemens Healthineers and private investors. With these funds, the company can accelerate the market introduction of its learning computer program Transpara, which automatically interprets x-rays of breasts for possible tumors.

Radboud university medical center spin-off ScreenPoint Medical develops software applications that can detect breast cancer in early stages from x-rays of breasts (mammograms). 

Automatic interpretation
ScreenPoint’s product is called Transpara. It was developed based on artificial intelligence (AI) in combination with large image databases, and its aim is to facilitate and improve the interpreting of mammograms. The performance of the AI system can be compared to that of radiologists, and a recent study demonstrates that the detection performance of radiologists improves when they use Transpara. Use of the system could also help decrease radiologists’ workload.

Lack of radiologists
“Interpreting mammograms is one of the most challenging tasks in radiology”, says Nico Karssemeijer, CEO of ScreenPoint, “and a shortage of skilled radiologists exists in many regions around the world. While breast cancer incidence continues to rise, innovative artificial intelligence solutions are needed to ensure that the high quality of screening programs can be maintained.”

Strategic collaboration
The investment of Siemens Healthineers marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration between the companies in the field of breast imaging and provides ScreenPoint with the opportunity to keep developing in the area of precision medicine. “We are very excited about the opportunity to partner with Siemens Healthineers. This partnership will enable an accelerated market introduction of Transpara.” 


Nico Karssemeijer is member of theme Women's cancers.

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