Proving the potential of AI screenings

Artificial intelligence may help radiologists spot disease, but throwing the technology at millions of CT scans or mammograms is not without risks to patients and may drive up costs without showing much benefit. Katie Palmer reports on two efforts to prove out the potential:

A large randomized controlled trial will explore the value of AI-aided mammography in screening for breast cancer. The technology is already widely used in the U.S., but the best evidence that it's useful comes from Europe. The $16 million trial is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Read more on what researchers may find here.
Next month, NYU Langone Health will begin checking bone density in CT scans of people over 65 for osteoporosis, a condition that often goes undetected until someone breaks a bone. The health system may expand the work if it's proven to help. This kind of opportunistic screening, which repurposes otherwise acquired scans, could be used to identify many treatable conditions. Katie's interview is worth a read.

Privacy

'HIPAA compliant' and other health data myths

A company marketing itself as "HIPAA compliant" may be a good sign it doesn't know what its talking about, Brittany Trang reports. There's no government body that certifies that a company's practices are in line with the 1996 patient data privacy law. The commonly used phrase sends a cold shiver down the back of lawyers who know that any claim of 100% compliance is likely misleading. Brittany also unpacks "de-identified data" and other misunderstood ideas.

policy

Who rules AI?

AI use has grown in recent years, but there's a dearth of widely accepted standards and regulations governing the tech that might guide decision-making by hospitals and tech companies. In a very useful new story, Brittany Trang details the bevy of groups that have raced to fill the void with their own standards. They include both newcomers (CHAI and TRAIN) and storied institutions (CTA and NCQA). If any of the groups manage emerge as the clear leader, that one will wield considerable power over the new technology.

Health tech news roundup

Smart ring maker Oura is in talks to raise $875 million at an $11 billion valuation, Bloomberg reports. The company announced a $200 million raise late last year.
In an unusual press release, Virta Health announced $160 million in annualized revenue stoking speculation the diabetes management startup may be itching to go public on the heals of Omada's successful listing earlier this year.
Drugmaker Sanofi added another $625 million to its venture fund that invests in "top-tier biotech and artificial intelligence/digital health companies."
Ambience Healthcare appointed co-founder Nikhil Buduma as CEO. Outgoing CEO Mike Ng will stay on as president and chairman.
Oracle appointed Clay Magouyrk and Mike Sicilia as co-CEOs, who will oversee the technology company's AI-fueled resurgence. Brittany r ecently interviewed Sicilia about the company's health care business.
DarioHealth, a developer of chronic disease management apps, announced it is undertaking a "strategic review to maximize shareholder value" following multiple "unsolicited inbound expressions of interest." (It's trying to sell itself.) In its August earnings call, the company reported "a shift in scope" with a large health plan customer and that it was pushing back expectations for when it would break even to late 2026 to early 2027. Despite often cheery releases about customer wins, Dario has been trying everything to get to sustainability. I most recently wrote about its efforts to turn a profit in February 2024. The company just announced it raised $17 million in a private placement to keep chugging along.
Thyme Care, a cancer care startup, raised a $97 million Series D round from existing investors including CVS Health Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Town Hall Ventures, and many more
Speaking of tech-enabled cancer care: Daymark Health raised a $20 million Series A round led by Healthier Capital with Blue Venture Fund.