Medical imaging is a rapidly evolving field, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance diagnostics. French startup Gleamer, which has successfully developed AI-powered tools for X-rays and mammographies, is now setting its sights on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Rather than starting from scratch, Gleamer is accelerating its progress by acquiring Caerus Medical, a startup specializing in AI-powered MRI analysis, and merging with Pixyl, a company already making strides in this field.
The Evolution of AI in Medical Imaging
Gleamer belongs to the second wave of AI-driven medical imaging startups. Earlier attempts in 2014 and 2015 saw mixed results, with some companies failing while others consolidated. For example, Zebra Medical Vision and Arterys were acquired by Nanox and Tempus, respectively.
Founded in 2017, Gleamer has developed an AI assistant that acts as a co-pilot for radiologists, enhancing diagnostic accuracy when analyzing medical images. The startup’s solution is already in use across 2,000 institutions in 45 countries, processing over 35 million examinations. Gleamer’s bone trauma interpretation product has received both CE and FDA certifications, while its AI tools for chest X-rays, orthopedic assessments, and bone age measurements are CE-certified in Europe.
The Challenge of AI in Radiology
According to Christian Allouche, co-founder and CEO of Gleamer, a one-size-fits-all approach to radiology is ineffective. “It’s very complicated to have a large model that covers all medical imaging and delivers the level of performance expected by doctors,” he explained.
To address this, Gleamer has dedicated internal teams to specific imaging areas, such as mammographies and CT scans. The company recently launched its mammography product after 18 months of development, leveraging an AI model trained on 1.5 million mammographies. Additionally, Gleamer collaborates with Jean Zay, the French government’s GPU cluster, to advance its work on CT scans for cancer detection.
Why MRI Requires a Different Approach
MRI imaging presents a unique challenge due to its complexity. “MRI is a different technological space,” Allouche stated. “It involves various tasks, including segmentation, detection, characterization, classification, and multi-sequence imaging.”
Recognizing these intricacies, Gleamer is acquiring Caerus Medical and merging with Pixyl to fast-track its capabilities. These companies bring years of experience in MRI imaging, positioning Gleamer to expand its AI solutions significantly. While the financial terms of these acquisitions remain undisclosed, the goal is clear—establishing two MRI platforms capable of covering all use cases within the next two to three years.
The Future of Preventive Medical Imaging
Gleamer’s AI models have shown impressive results but are not yet flawless. For instance, its new mammography model detects four out of five cancers, compared to human radiologists who typically identify three out of five cases without AI assistance.
The potential productivity gains with AI-driven medical imaging could revolutionize diagnostics. A missed tumor, for example, would likely be detected in a follow-up exam months later. This shift toward preventive imaging could make AI an essential triaging and orchestration tool for radiologists.
“In the near future, I believe whole-body MRIs will become routine, covered by insurance companies since they are non-irradiating,” Allouche predicted. However, with existing shortages of radiologists in many cities, AI will play a crucial role in meeting increasing demands for both reactive and preventive imaging.
By automating routine diagnoses and improving sensitivity beyond human capabilities, AI-driven medical imaging solutions like Gleamer’s could reshape the future of biotechnology and radiology, enhancing early detection and improving patient outcomes worldwide.
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