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Early detection of skin cancer using AI

Simon Grant is the CEO of medtech company SciBase, which develops medical instruments for detecting malignant melanoma and other types of skin cancer and skin diseases with the help of machine learning and artificial intelligence.

What’s happening at SciBase and what does the future hold for you?

– We have launched new applications for non-melanoma skin cancer and skin barrier in Europe. At the same time, the solution for early detection of melanoma is beginning to take hold in the United States. We have also released the latest version of our platform Nevisense Go, a pen that uses neural networks to perform diagnostics. In 2020 we have examined 25,000 patients in Germany, where we have for the first time become profitable in a local market. In 2020, we also received a procedure code from the American Medical Association and we have recently submitted our first application for reimbursement compensation in Florida. This is a significant milestone for the company.

– Analyzing the skin barrier is an interesting technology, and can be used for everything from eczema or food allergies in infants to outbreaks of skin conditions in adults.

The technology is used by both researchers and industry partners, to develop new areas of use and clinical products.

– Our future is divided into two parts. First and foremost, it’s about sales and profitability through increased use of our skin cancer tools in Europe and the USA. Then it’s aboutdeveloping AI algorithms for clinical applications in our product Nevisense Go. This platform is smaller, cheaper and simpler than previous versions, and enables us to expand to all our customer groups – GPs, pharmacies, and patients.

How do you view the possibilities for preventive care from a Swedish perspective?

– I am thinking of two main things: we need to focus more on larger and long-term studies to show that preventive care is possible to implement effectively and with improved results. This requires time and focus, and it is not the sexiest field of research at the moment. Then we have to make sure that the financial incentives are in place for researchers, doctors, clinics, and patients so that preventive care becomes something that is sought after. Just because it looks like the ”right thing to do” does not mean that it will happen by itself.

What opportunities are there for AI in the life science and medtech sector?

– Both I and SciBase have been “all in” on AI for the past 10 years. Things have gotten better, but there is still a lot to do. AI will eventually become a key tool for most companies in life science and medtech – from design to clinical data analysis and algorithms for many different products. The great difficulty is to determine when it will happen. Once companies have overcome the first implementation threshold, AI offers strength and flexibility that will make it invaluable. How long it takes depends on a couple of key factors: the availability of simple AI development tools, and whether companies understand how AI can coexist with the increasingly tough regulations of healthcare.

Skin cancer detector

SciBase analysis pen provides great time savings.

Arm with skin cancer

SciBase’s technology can be used for detection of skin cancer and other skin conditions