Two Bengaluru-based innovators, Dr. Narayana Subramaniam, a head and neck surgical oncologist, and Dr. Hardik Pandya, an engineer-scientist from IISc Bengaluru, are on the brink of transforming cancer diagnostics. Their groundbreaking platform, which recently secured a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), promises to deliver cancer diagnoses in just two minutes, especially benefiting patients in remote areas.
Tackling Diagnostic Challenges
Traditional cancer screening relies heavily on biopsies and expert pathology reviews, which often result in long turnaround times and require advanced facilities. Dr. Subramaniam highlights that these methods are inaccessible in rural and underserved areas. To address this gap, the duo has developed a digital pathology platform combining portability, affordability, and AI-powered analysis.
How It Works
The innovative device, resembling a portable slide scanner, uses AI to identify abnormal cells from cytology or biopsy slides and provides results in minutes. Key features include:
- Portability: The device can be taken directly to patients, eliminating the need for hospital visits.
- Affordability: Costing only a fraction of conventional slide scanners, it democratizes access to advanced diagnostics.
- Efficiency: It digitizes slides, extracts abnormal cells, and sends data remotely for expert review, even over mobile internet.
“The system reduces file sizes, enabling smooth operations on 3G or 4G networks, making it ideal for remote areas,” Dr. Subramaniam explains.
Oral Cancer Screening and Beyond
The platform’s initial focus is oral cancer screening, aiming for population-level deployment. The team plans to expand its capabilities to other cancers.
Progress and Future Goals
With 85% accuracy already achieved, the team aims to improve sensitivity and specificity to over 90% within five years. The grant will support testing on 600 patients, hardware standardization, and certifications. The ultimate goal is commercialization, with plans to partner with government and private entities for broader access.
Impact and Vision
The platform’s portability, rapid results, and low cost could revolutionize cancer diagnostics globally, particularly in underserved regions. “This innovation will save lives by making affordable cancer screening accessible to those who need it the most,” says Dr. Subramaniam.
Collaboration and Persistence
Dr. Subramaniam credits the dedicated team for their persistence over the last six to seven years. “We’ve bootstrapped through multiple prototypes, and now, with this grant, we have the resources to make our vision a reality,” he concludes.
This groundbreaking project underscores the power of technology and collaboration in addressing global healthcare challenges.