- Ezra, a New York-based company that is advancing early cancer screening using MRI and artificial intelligence, announced that it has raised $18 million
Ezra, a New York-based company that is advancing early cancer screening using MRI and artificial intelligence, announced that it has raised $18 million in a new round of funding led by FirstMark Capital along with new investors Jeff Raider and Dave Gilboa (co-founders of Harry’s and Warby Parker), Vlad Tenev (co-founder of Robinhood), Fred Destin (co-founder of Stride VC), and Andrei Dunca (co-founder & CTO of LiveRail). And existing investors Accomplice, Seedcamp, Credo Ventures, Founders Future, LDV Capital, Esther Dyson, Taavet Hinrikus, Daniel Dines, Dave McClure, and Jeremy Arditi also participated in the round.
With this round of funding, Ezra will expand its medical imaging AIs to make MRI-based cancer screening more accessible. Plus the company is also rolling out a low-dose CT scan of the lungs to look for medical imaging AIs to make MRI-based cancer screening more accessible called Ezra COVID 360 — which is paired with an antibody blood test to check for igG and igM antibodies. This new plan is designed for individuals who want to understand the potential long-term impact of COVID-19 on their lung health and check their antibody status.
The Ezra COVID 360 product is available for $390 in New York City starting today. And Ezra is working on expanding the plan across California in the upcoming weeks. Plus Ezra will offer 50 free plans to medical providers and first responders who have been on the frontlines of COVID-19.
According to Ezra’s data, one in three people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime and over half will discover it later. And so Ezra is improving early cancer detection through its proprietary full-body MRI scan that takes under an hour and screens for cancer in up to 12 organs. Plus the company is also developing AI designed to decrease the cost of MRI-based cancer screening.
The first Ezra AI — which was created to assist radiologists in their analysis of prostate MRI scans — is currently under FDA review. Ezra had launched its MRI-based prostate cancer screening program in January 2019 and rolled out its full-body MRI scan in May 2019.
The company partners with existing outpatient imaging facilities. And all Ezra scans are analyzed by board-certified radiologists.
Plus Ezra’s cancer screening programs are live in New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles through its partnership with RadNet, which is the nation’s leader in outpatient imaging. Last year, Ezra helped 4% of its members – all of whom were asymptomatic – detect cancer.
“At FirstMark, we look for ambitious founders building iconic companies that change the world. I am inspired by what Emi, Diego and their team have created, and look forward to building a meaningful, long-lasting company together,” added Rick Heitzmann, partner and founder of FirstMark Capital.
Heitzmann will join the Ezra board of directors along with Gal, Diego Cantor PhD (Ezra’s CTO and co-founder), and existing investor Ryan Moore (partner at Accomplice).
