Artificial intelligence lung cancer diagnosis company Optellum closed on a $14 million series A funding round.
Optellum is the first medtech company to receive FDA approval for its AI lung cancer diagnosis platform, Virtual Nodule Clinic. The company plans to use the investment to scale its base operations, launching in the U.S. and U.K.; accelerate research; and expand its platform into personalized therapy decisions, according to the Sept. 27 Optellum news release.
Intuitive Ventures, the investment arm of Intuitive, specializing in medical robotics, participated in the funding round. Intuitive Ventures provides Optellum support to expand beyond early diagnosis into decision support, integrating liquid biopsies, molecular tests and drug therapies.
"Lung cancer is an urgent public health crisis and Optellum's groundbreaking approach utilizing AI to accelerate early detection and intervention may fundamentally alter the healthcare community's approach to combating this disease," Oliver Keown, MD, managing director of Intuitive Ventures, said. "Optellum is uniquely positioned to align and provide considerable value to patients, providers, and payers alike. Intuitive Ventures is thrilled to provide our full arsenal of financial and strategic support to Optellum as we work towards a world of better outcomes for cancer patients."