Qure.ai is a health tech company that uses deep learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make healthcare more accessible and equitable for patients worldwide. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Qure.ai co-founder and CEO Prashant Warier to learn more about the company.
Prashant Warier’s Background
What is Prashant Warier’s background? Warier said:
“Being an IIT-Delhi and Georgia Tech alumnus, my passion for using technology to drive social impact has been a common thread throughout my career. I cut my teeth as a research scientist intern at Georgia Tech, where I developed algorithms to optimize trucking operations. Transitioning to SAP as a senior research scientist helped me build a skill set in building data science algorithms for Retail and Consumer Products.”
“Here, my interest in broader AI applications blossomed, marking a critical pivot from logistics to a more diverse technological landscape. My roles at Fractal Analytics, both as VP and Chief Data Scientist, helped me sharpen my AI and Data Science toolkit. Founding Imagna was how I learned how to build and commercialize an AI product from scratch, albeit in the Advertising technology space.”
“This journey culminated in the founding of Qure.ai, where our mission is to leverage advanced AI technology to provide accessible and equitable healthcare. Through Qure.ai, we strive to transform healthcare delivery, ensuring that high-quality care is available to all, regardless of geographical or economic barriers.”
Formation Of Qure.ai
How did the idea for the company come together? Warier shared:
“My personal journey played a significant role in shaping my vision for Qure.ai. When I was 17, my father was misdiagnosed with a spinal cord tumor. The doctors believed it to be malignant and performed an unnecessary surgery that left him unable to walk for the past 30 years. This experience highlighted the critical need for improved diagnostic accuracy and accessibility.”
“The idea for Qure.ai was born from my accumulated technology knowledge and a desire to make a meaningful impact. Our mission is to leverage AI to provide diagnostic facilities to everyone, regardless of location. We aim to bridge healthcare delivery gaps, ensuring high-quality diagnostic services reach even the most underserved communities. Our goal is to make healthcare more accessible and equitable, re-humanizing it for those in need.”
Favorite Memory
What has been Warier’s favorite memory working for the company so far? Warier reflected:
“I’m fortunate to have experienced many highs at Qure.ai. Some of the most rewarding moments include visiting diverse communities such as the Everest Base Camp and Khumbu region of Nepal, the Baran region of Rajasthan, and various districts in the Philippines and Nigeria, witnessing the real-world impact of our AI solutions.”
“For example, Baran had a high TB patient population, and deploying our qXR chest X-ray screening solution there in 2018 has significantly supported local physicians. The ACCESS TB program in the Philippines was unique, involving mobile vans equipped with X-ray machines connected to qXR, our AI chest X-ray solution for TB screening, which drove around the country screening populations for TB.”
“I think the proudest moments for me have been when I saw the impact our AI solutions can have on democratizing healthcare and bringing access to communities where healthcare access was previously unavailable.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Warier explained:
“Qure.ai offers AI products that enhance healthcare delivery, focusing on three key therapeutic areas: lung cancer, global health, and stroke care. Key products include:
– qXR: AI for chest X-rays
– qER: AI for head CTs
– qCT: AI for chest CTs
– qMSK: AI for MSK X-rays
– qTrack: Care coordination
These tools help healthcare professionals identify abnormalities, manage and triage cases effectively, provide faster diagnoses, and improve global patient care. For lung cancer, our AI solution identifies nodules early, aiding timely intervention. In tuberculosis, the tools streamline detection and management. For stroke care, Qure.ai’s solutions expedite diagnosis and treatment planning, reducing the long-term impact of strokes.
Overall, Qure.ai’s solutions enhance healthcare outcomes, support industry scaling, and drive advancements in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Warier and the team faced in building the company? Warier acknowledged?
“The health tech AI sector faces challenges in trust, transparency, regulatory compliance, data privacy, and clinical validation of AI algorithms. Qure.ai addresses these by adhering to stringent regulatory guidelines and working closely with healthcare providers to meet clinical standards.”
“Qure.ai has achieved eighteen FDA clearances, TBC EU MDR CE mark approvals, and multiple global patents, demonstrating a commitment to regulatory compliance. Overcoming regulatory hurdles involves establishing robust compliance frameworks and partnering with regulatory bodies to streamline approval processes.”
“Data privacy concerns are managed through strict anonymization protocols and secure data handling practices, ensuring patient confidentiality and building trust with users.”
“To ensure the clinical efficacy of AI algorithms, Qure.ai conducts rigorous testing and validation against large datasets and real-world clinical scenarios. This includes collaboration with medical experts to confirm the accuracy and reliability of solutions. For instance, the qXR algorithm showed up to 96% sensitivity and 100% specificity in detecting missed and mislabelled chest radiography findings, as reported in a multi-center study by Dr. Subba R. Digumarthy from Massachusetts General Hospital.”
“By prioritizing regulatory compliance, data privacy, and clinical validation, Qure.ai continues to overcome challenges in the health tech AI sector, ensuring their solutions deliver safe, effective, and impactful results for healthcare providers and patients, fostering trust and transparency in AI-driven healthcare innovations.”
Evolution Of Qure.ai’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Warier noted:
“Since its inception, Qure.ai’s technology has significantly evolved, transforming healthcare across various global landscapes. Initially, our TB detection algorithms revolutionized care in LMICs. TB remains a significant health challenge, and our AI solutions have enabled faster and more accurate diagnosis, which is crucial for timely intervention and reducing transmission rates. For example, our partnership with Health through Walls implemented qXR for TB screening in prisons in Haiti, later expanding to the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mozambique.”
“As Qure.ai expanded, we addressed other critical healthcare needs, including lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with approximately 75% of patients detected in late-stage disease. Early detection is pivotal in improving survival rates. Our AI-powered solutions for incidental lung cancer detection identify high-risk nodules on routine imaging scans, facilitating early intervention and potentially saving lives. Our end-to-end lung cancer care continuum supports clinicians and advances developments in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.”
“In neurology, particularly with strokes, we leverage AI to enhance rapid detection capabilities. Strokes pose significant risks, and the adage “time saves brain” emphasizes the need for swift diagnosis and treatment. Qure.ai’s advancements in neuroimaging expedite stroke detection, assessment, and coordination with healthcare professionals throughout the patient journey, ensuring prompt intervention to minimize brain damage and improve outcomes. For example, qER (AI for head CTs) reduced symptom-to-treatment time by 30-70%, allowing more patients to be managed locally, as noted by Dr. Arunkumar Govindarajan, Aarthi’s Director.”
“Qure.ai’s technological evolution is driven by continuous innovation, incorporating deep learning techniques to enhance diagnostic accuracy, speed, and reliability across various medical specialties. We have validated our AI algorithms through extensive clinical studies, collaborating closely with healthcare providers globally to integrate AI seamlessly into clinical workflows. Scalability has been a cornerstone, enabling Qure.ai to handle large volumes of medical imaging data efficiently.”
“Our commitment to user experience is evident in the development of intuitive interfaces and seamless workflow integrations, enhancing the adoption and usability of AI tools by healthcare professionals. These efforts showcase Qure.ai’s leadership in AI-driven healthcare solutions, shaping a future where technology plays a pivotal role in improving diagnostic precision, patient outcomes, and healthcare efficiency globally.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Warier cited:
“Since its inception in 2016, Qure.ai has made remarkable progress in developing AI solutions for radiology images. In 2017, the company launched qXR, an AI-powered chest X-ray interpretation tool designed to detect multiple lung abnormalities, including tuberculosis, pneumonia, and lung nodules. By 2018, qXR achieved CE certification, allowing it to be marketed and used within the European Union, signifying compliance with the region’s health, safety, and environmental protection standards.”
“In 2019, Qure.ai raised $16 million in a funding round led by Sequoia India, significantly boosting research and development efforts and expanding its product portfolio. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the company adapted its qXR technology to detect COVID-19-related lung abnormalities and launched qER, an AI solution for interpreting head CT scans to detect critical abnormalities such as intracranial hemorrhages, cranial fractures, and midline shifts.”
“From 2021 to 2024, Qure.ai continued to expand its global footprint, forming partnerships with various healthcare providers and organizations worldwide. The company received additional regulatory clearances, including FDA approvals in the United States, enhancing its credibility and market reach. In September 2024, Qure.ai completed a $65 million Series D funding round to expedite expansion into the US and other geographies, increase investment into foundational models, and enable complementary med-tech acquisitions.
Collaborations with international bodies and governments have facilitated the implementation of Qure.ai’s AI solutions in public health programs, particularly focusing on TB screening and management in high-burden countries.”
“In response to growing demand and to better serve its clients, Qure.ai opened offices in London and New York, establishing local teams to cater to Europe and North America more closely. This global expansion underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging AI to improve diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility in medical imaging worldwide.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Warier about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“The most recent commercial deployment, in the UK, is at the North East London Cancer Alliance using the Sectra Amplifier services integrating qXR AI tool to help radiologists and reporting radiographers prioritize urgent cases, enhance decision-making, and streamline the patient journey. It aims to reduce the wait time for chest X-ray results from three weeks to just three days for scans with significant findings. Another notable success story is the implementation of AI into a number of UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals as part of a study aiming to reduce the time taken to diagnose lung cancer by using AI to detect abnormalities on chest X-rays. This is a multi-site study that includes prioritizing abnormal chest X-rays at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. Here, the system reviews 100-150 GP-referred X-rays daily, identifying potential lung abnormalities and providing immediate reports for CT referrals or treatment planning. This initiative is part of the multi-NHS ‘LungIMPACT’ study, gathering real-world evidence on AI-enabled triage’s impact on the lung cancer pathway. The study aims to demonstrate a digital pathway for early lung cancer detection by tracking CT scan timelines and diagnoses and has been cited by Nature Medicine as one of 11 clinical trials that will shape medicine in 2024.”
“Another significant milestone was achieved by AstraZeneca, which reached the 1 million mark in its global lung health AI initiative out of a 5-million target. Launched at the 2022 World Economic Forum in Davos, this initiative expands lung cancer screening beyond traditional profiles like age and smoking history, targeting underserved global populations. AstraZeneca partnered with Qure.ai to integrate AI for lung cancer risk screening, supporting AstraZeneca’s A.Catalyst Network and the Lung Ambition Alliance’s goal to eliminate lung cancer deaths. Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray analysis has been implemented in resource-constrained regions across the UK, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.”
“In Maharashtra, Qure.ai partnered with SAMRIDH to address TB and COVID-19 in two hospitals—one in Mumbai and the other in the remote village of Chinchpada. In 2020, they introduced qXR, an AI-powered chest X-ray screening software that enabled dual screening for COVID-19 and early detection of lung diseases like TB. This collaboration illustrates how Qure.ai’s AI solution integrates seamlessly into diverse healthcare environments, overcoming obstacles and uniting communities. By delivering accurate diagnoses and preserving lives, qXR demonstrates AI’s transformative impact on healthcare equity, leveling the playing field in healthcare access and outcomes.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Warier affirmed:
“Qure.ai distinguishes itself in the field of medical imaging AI with a proven track record at over 3000 sites across more than 90 countries, impacting over 20 million lives. Our system reduces turnaround times by 40% with a normal-abnormal triage system, facilitating quicker interventions. Utilizing a vast dataset of over 1 billion data points, our algorithms ensure precise medical image analysis. We have 18 FDA clearances, 25+ patents, and more than 60 publications in top medical journals, such as The Lancet.”
“Qure.ai’s algorithms are trained on a dataset of more than a billion images, and our portfolio of products to interpret Chest X-rays, Musculoskeletal X-rays, Chest CTs, and Head CTs cover more than 62 different types of findings.”
“Trusted globally, Qure.ai collaborates with leading institutions such as AstraZeneca, NHS hospitals in the UK, and major teleradiology companies in the UK and US. Headquartered in Mumbai, we operate regional offices in New York and London to support our international partnerships and deployments as well.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? Warier concluded:
“Qure.ai is committed to leveraging AI to streamline global patient review processes, focusing on care areas such as TB, lung cancer, heart failure, and stroke. Our focus is on scaling commercial operations in the US and continental Europe while continuing expansion in Asia, Africa, and LATAM. We are also investing heavily in building foundation models for radiology imaging, which can help us rapidly expand our solution portfolio to more disease areas. Our mission is to be a health Unicorn – reach more than a billion lives through our solutions.”
