Johnson & Johnson MedTech has collaborated with healthtech company AI-powered Qure.ai to enhance early lung cancer detection in India. The endeavor is a part of Project BreatheEZ and focuses on setting up well-structured AI-driven Incidental Pulmonary Nodule (IPN) Detection clinics in India's leading hospitals, merging superior AI technology and medical imaging instruments.

Key Highlights

Project BreatheEZ rollout commences

• The first AI-led IPN Detection Clinic has been launched at Thangam Cancer Centre in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu.

• The collaboration will span 10 hub medical centres and 20 spoke sites across India to support early lung cancer screening.

AI-Powered screening for lung nodules

• Qure.ai’s AI tech scans chest X-rays and CT scans to flag suspicious lung nodules early.

• The structured clinics aim to enhance early diagnosis and improve follow-up care in lung cancer treatment.

Addressing India's cancer burden

• One in nine Indians can expect cancer in their lifetime, with the country's cancer burden estimated to increase from 26.7 million DALYs in 2021 to 29.8 million in 2025.

• Early detection is still a challenge, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Improving access to early diagnosis

• The project targets incidental detection of lung cancer among patients being imaged for unrelated reasons.

• By detecting cancer at its most curable point, the project hopes to decrease delays in treatment access.

Leadership statement
"Our partnership with Qure.ai is a testament to our passion for enhancing healthcare through breakthrough innovations… particularly in underserved communities,"
– Anuj Virmani, Managing Director, India, Johnson & Johnson MedTechThe strategic alliance between Johnson & Johnson MedTech and Qure.ai is a significant step towards tackling India's increasing cancer burden through innovation. Through the integration of AI with diagnostic imaging, the initiative improves the country's capacity to detect lung cancer earlier and provide timely treatment—particularly in areas with poor healthcare access.