Cervi-AI

In the communities we're working in, and globally, cervical cancer poses a significant public health challenge with dire consequences. In India alone, the situation is alarming. With one woman succumbing to cervical cancer every seven minutes, the scale of the problem is stark. Tragically, this accounts for approximately 100,000 deaths annually.    

Several factors contribute to the high mortality rates. Limited access to screening facilities due to a pervasive lack of awareness and inadequate healthcare infrastructure is a major barrier. Cultural stigmas, coupled with a lack of education and fear, often result in delayed medical attention, leading to diagnoses at advanced stages.

Moreover, the unaffordability of HPV vaccinations, priced at around Rs. 2000, perpetuates vulnerability among women above 25 years, as the vaccine is currently only effective for those below 20 years and on limited virus strains. This, compounded by low vaccination rates, exacerbates the problem.

The existence of other HPV strains beyond the commonly targeted types HPV 16 and 18 poses a significant challenge to current vaccination strategies. The lack of vaccine coverage for these variants leaves individuals vulnerable to infections that may contribute to the development of HPV-related diseases.

Socioeconomic disparities further compound the issue, as women across all strata face challenges in accessing healthcare and lack the requisite knowledge about preventive measures.

To tackle this multifaceted challenge, comprehensive strategies are imperative. These must include not only increasing awareness and access to screening and vaccination but also addressing socioeconomic disparities and cultural barriers. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to mitigate the impact of cervical cancer and prevent unnecessary loss of life.

Vyuhaa is harnessing AI to Empower Precise Diagnoses, Accelerate Early Detection, and Save Lives. Cervical cancer poses a significant threat to women's lives, with early diagnosis being crucial for survival. Unfortunately, current detection methods are costly and often inaccessible, especially in resource-limited settings, leading to delays in diagnosis and intervention. Our solution addresses this challenge by offering a low-cost AI-enabled cancer screening model. By integrating image processing algorithms and machine learning, we provide faster, more accurate, and automated screening results, potentially saving countless lives. Moreover, the scalability of our device and AI technology opens doors to diagnosing other forms of cancer during biopsies and various histopathological diagnostics, further expanding its impact on healthcare.

Moreover, AI-enabled screening allows for the identification of a broader range of HPV strains beyond the commonly known types like HPV 16 and 18. This is crucial because existing HPV vaccinations primarily target strains 16 and 18, rendering them ineffective against other HPV variants. Therefore, by detecting these additional HPV strains, healthcare providers can tailor interventions more effectively, providing patients with the best possible outcomes.

Vyuhaa Meddata's cutting-edge digital pathology platform is tailored to address the urgent need for improved cervical cancer screening and diagnosis. We at Vyuhaa, run a cervical cancer screening campaign to diagnose cases among women with a focus on women aged 28-55. This solution is designed to directly impact the lives of individuals who face barriers to accessing traditional pathology services, particularly in regions where healthcare resources may be limited.

AI is revolutionizing healthcare by not only aiding in the early detection of cervical cancer but also in identifying other infections, such as fungal infections, that may affect women, particularly those in their 50s. While these infections may not be cancerous, they warrant attention as they could potentially develop into serious conditions in the future.

In our patient-centric approach, individuals undergoing testing at our facilities have revealed a concerning prevalence of HPV, with approximately 7-8% testing positive for the virus, including individuals in their 30s. HPV, being a slow-borne disease, necessitates continuous screening to monitor its progression and mitigate associated risks.

One of the significant advantages of implementing a screening process over regular checkups is the potential reduction in follow-up costs. Early detection through screening facilitates prompt medical intervention, which is not only clinically beneficial but also economically advantageous. By diagnosing conditions at an early stage, the overall cost burden of treatment can be significantly reduced.

From an economic perspective, the implementation of AI-driven screening processes offers the potential for early diagnosis and subsequent cost savings. By identifying infections and abnormalities at their incipient stages, healthcare resources can be allocated more efficiently, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and reduced economic burden for individuals and healthcare systems alike.

Our team presents a formidable alliance poised to deliver the solutions you seek, backed by a wealth of expertise and leadership spanning diverse domains.

Leading our strategic endeavors is Dr. Ranjani Chakravarthy, MD Pathology, FRC Path (UK), bringing luminary status to our team. With acclaim earned for precision in cancer diagnoses and entrepreneurial spirit as Founder of C Path Labs, Dr. Ranjani's decade-long dedication to histopathology and extensive research portfolio ensure accuracy and efficacy in our diagnostic innovations.

Dhritiman Mallick, our Director at Vyuhaa Med, offers a multifaceted professional journey, enriching our team's capabilities. With pivotal roles in Deloitte Consulting LLP in Chicago and the State Bank of India in Kolkata, Dhritiman's diverse background, coupled with an MBA from IIM Bangalore, fortifies our navigation of the healthcare sector's intricate landscape.

Completing our ensemble is Krishna Mohan Reddy, also a Director at Vyuhaa Med. Armed with a Ph.D. in Metallurgy from IIT Madras and prestigious engineering degrees, Krishna's academic brilliance and executive acumen drive innovation across technical and business domains.

Last but not least, Madhusudan Chakravarthy, Director at Vyuhaa Med, brings a wealth of experience in imaging solutions and global sales initiatives. His leadership enriches our strategies with nuanced insights and seasoned direction, further enhancing our pursuit of excellence.

The solution has undergone rigorous testing, serving as a control experiment on over 5000 samples. Impressively, our sensitivity numbers have consistently hovered around 100%, showcasing the solution's robustness and reliability in detecting the targeted outcomes.

Moreover, we have successfully deployed the end-to-end solution for field studies, where its efficacy has been demonstrated in real-world settings. This hands-on experience has not only validated the solution's performance but has also generated significant word-of-mouth growth within the community.

Furthermore, our success in the field has attracted corporate sponsorships, indicating widespread recognition and support for our solution. These partnerships not only provide financial backing but also validate the value proposition of our solution in addressing critical needs.

We are applying to Solve because we are deeply passionate about addressing the pressing global health challenge posed by cervical cancer. With Vyuhaa Meddata's pioneering R&D initiative to integrate AI technologies into cervical cancer screening, targeting improved detection rates and heightened screening efficacy, we see an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in women's health.

The project's dual focus on advancing technology and navigating regulatory landscapes aligns perfectly with our expertise and interests.

The project's objectives, including feasibility assessment, accuracy enhancement, prototype refinement, pilot deployments, and regulatory approvals, underscore a comprehensive approach aimed at revolutionizing cervical cancer screening. This initiative resonates with us as it tackles the critical issue of accessibility and affordability in healthcare, especially in regions like India where cervical cancer poses a significant burden.

The statistics regarding cervical cancer mortality rates and its disproportionate impact on women, particularly in regions like India, highlight the urgency of implementing effective screening methods. By leveraging AI technologies and strategic partnerships, this project has the potential to save thousands of lives annually through early detection and intervention.

Our backgrounds and skills in [relevant areas such as AI integration, healthcare innovation, regulatory compliance, etc.] uniquely position us to contribute to the success of this initiative. We are eager to collaborate with the team at Vyuhaa Meddata, utilizing our expertise to drive forward this transformative leap in women's health. Together, we can make a tangible difference in the fight against cervical cancer and improve outcomes for women worldwide.

Our R&D initiative marks a transformative leap in healthcare diagnostics, particularly in cervical screening. The hardware component, with its remarkable ability to slash image digitization costs by 70-80% in terms of fixed costs, stands as a game-changer in itself. This cost reduction, primarily attributed to hardware efficiency, enhances accessibility and affordability, addressing a critical aspect of healthcare. Beyond the cost implications, the true innovation lies in the seamless integration of our AI software with any digitized image, irrespective of its source. This includes images obtained from industry-standard devices like Hamamatsu or Phillips whole slide imaging devices. While the hardware optimizes the digitization process, it's the integration with our advanced AI software that elevates the entire diagnostic landscape.

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to screening and treatment is limited. Our team at Vyuhaa Med Data Private Limited has developed Cervi-AI, an innovative solution that leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technology to revolutionize cervical cancer screening.

One of the key challenges in cervical cancer screening is the potential for human error in sample analysis. False negatives and false positives can result in missed diagnoses or unnecessary treatments, leading to significant patient harm and significantly higher follow-up and treatment costs. Cervi-AI addresses this challenge by enhancing the accuracy of screening through AI-powered analysis.

Access to cervical cancer screening is a critical determinant of health outcomes, particularly in underserved communities where screening services may be scarce or inaccessible. Cervi-AI aims to address this barrier by providing a cloud-based platform that enables pathologists to access screening tools from anywhere, at any time.

Compared to tests like Visual Acetic Acid Inspection, our technique has a sensitivity of ~100% and has significantly lower costs compared to the HPV DNA tests, thereby making screening affordable and providing higher gender equity in healthcare

Our impact goals for Cervi-AI are ambitious yet crucial in our mission to eliminate cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) globally. Our overarching goal is to ensure that every woman, regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status, has access to high-quality cervical cancer screening through our program.

Major KPIs to be monitored:

1. Global Coverage: Cover and develop local partnerships with as many countries

2. Screening Reach: Number of screenings per day

3. Health Outcomes: Link the diagnosed condition with necessary treatments

We have developed a low-cost end-to-end service that reduces the current market cost of processing by 70-80%. 

A combination of SAMD and AI in a Human-Hybrid model will provide significantly higher levels of sensitivity of processing at 10% of the current costs.

Our AI-enabled cervical cancer screening Hardware and SAMD will enable the reduction of current manpower costs of Pathologists by 90% through productivity gains.

Our Differentiators:

1)Whole slide Imaging and Digitization: 

-High-quality in-house digitizer to enable capture of images at 20x resolution. 

-Indigenous instrumentation and optics built in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad with imaging and calibration specific to LBC PAP Smears.

2)Artificial Intelligence for Image Optimization and Diagnosis: 

-AI-enabled cervical cancer diagnostics software to enable image optimization and viewing. 

-Machine learning algorithm developed from data repository of over 4000 samples with continuous improvements in the process.

-High throughput rates of processed images @20 slides per hour.

-Remote accessibility for pathologists through the SaaS cloud. 

-SAMD compatibility with other imaging devices like Hamamatsu.

Our Assistive AI Technology to provides a Tiled Analysis of Abnormalities for the pathologist located remotely or on-site leading to robust sensitivity levels.

Key Features and Advancements in SaMD:

1. Tailored Image Acquisition: Our device integrates a digital scanner
with robotic control, offering precise image capture for cytological samples.
The microscope employs advanced focusing strategies, optimizing z-axis
utilization, and ensuring seamless conversion of individual cells and groups
into high-resolution Virtual Slides (VS).

2. Optimized Resolution: Recognizing the distinct requirements of
cytology slides, our device allows for scanning at higher magnifications, up to
×20 or ×40 z-stack, enhancing diagnostic accuracy for conditions like
cervical-vaginal cytology.

3. Specialized Hardware: The hardware is designed to handle
various sample types, including liquid-based cytology (LBC) smears and cell
blocks, based on a standardized approach in preparation and staining.

4. User-Friendly Viewing and Annotation: Our device offers flexible options for viewing and managing VS, and compatibility for annotation. Image viewers provide a seamless experience, allowing pathologists to annotate, export, and discuss
images in real-time, fostering collaborative diagnostics.

5.AI Integration for Cervical Cancer
Diagnosis: The WSI system can be integrated with
AI algorithms specifically trained for cervical cancer diagnosis. The AI
component enhances diagnostic accuracy, providing pathologists with valuable insights for more informed decision-making.

6. Current Technical specifications for AI efficacy:

Process Details and Current State: 

The Proposed Intervention uses digital pathology and AI and reduces the time of diagnosis to only a few hours 

Our technology simplifies whole slide imaging and can be used to process slides from outside India by our EU-accredited pathologists.

The team consists of 5 members:

Krishna Mohan Reddy: Technical Director

Dr. Ranjani Chakravarthy: Director, Clinical Operations

Madhusudan Chakravarthy: Director, Business Development

Dhritiman Mallick: Director, Operations and Strategy

1.5 years

At Vyuhaa Med Data Private Limited, we recognize the importance of fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture. We are committed to ensuring that our team reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and that all team members have equal opportunities for growth and success. Here's how we ensure diversity, minimize barriers to opportunity, and promote inclusivity within our organization:

1. Recruitment and Hiring Practices: We actively seek out candidates from diverse backgrounds and underrepresented groups to ensure a broad range of perspectives and experiences within our team. Our recruitment process is designed to minimize biases and create a level playing field for all applicants. We also partner with organizations and initiatives that focus on diversity and inclusion in the workplace to attract a diverse talent pool.

2. Equal Opportunities for Growth: We believe in providing equal opportunities for career advancement and professional development to all team members. We offer training programs, mentorship opportunities, and career pathing initiatives to support the growth and advancement of every employee, regardless of their background or identity. Promotions and leadership positions are based on merit, skills, and qualifications, rather than factors such as gender, race, or ethnicity.

3. Inclusive Workplace Policies: We have established inclusive workplace policies and practices that promote fairness, respect, and dignity for all employees. Our policies address issues such as harassment, discrimination, and unconscious bias, and we provide training and resources to ensure that all team members understand their rights and responsibilities.

Our plan for achieving financial sustainability revolves around strategic partnerships, competitive pricing strategies, and delivering high-quality products and services that meet the needs of our customers. Here's how we're executing our plan and evidence of our success so far:

1. Partnerships with Non-Profit Organizations: By partnering with non-profit organizations, we not only fulfill our social responsibility but also expand our reach and access to underserved communities. These partnerships allow us to deliver our products and services at reasonable profit margins while making a positive impact on public health.

2. Competitive Pricing Strategy: In the B2B model, we have implemented a competitive pricing strategy that offers our products and services at lower prices than market leaders. This approach aims to attract customers seeking cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.

3. Positive Market Response: Both our products and services have garnered a positive response from the market, indicating strong demand and customer satisfaction. Evidence of success includes customer testimonials, reviews, and case studies highlighting the benefits and effectiveness of our solutions.

4. Scalability and Market Potential: With the right support and resources, we have the potential to capture a significant market share in our industry. The operations are modular and scalable with low investment costs.