Vara
Vara is a platform supporting the entire breast cancer screening pathway, integrating AI technology to assist radiologists and automate tasks, with notable studies and international expansions since its spin-off from Merantix Venture Studio in 2018.
Company Overview
Vara is a platform designed to support the entire breast cancer screening pathway, from booking appointments to referral to treatment. The platform combines AI technology and automation to assist radiologists in the breast cancer screening process. Vara was spun off from Merantix Venture Studio in November 2018, and has since received significant funding to expand its capabilities and reach.
PRAIM Study
The PRAIM study, a collaboration between Vara and the University of Lübeck, is the world's largest prospective study for breast cancer screening, involving nearly half a million women. This study evaluated the use of an AI application and workflow software to support breast cancer screening radiologists. It included 12 screening units and 119 radiologists from the German Mammography Screening Program. The study was ethically approved by the University of Lübeck’s Ethics Committee and registered in the German Clinical Trials Register.
AI Technology
Vara's AI system is CE-certified (class IIb) and designed to integrate AI technology and automation into a breast-screening-compliant viewer. The system uses a decision referral approach, combining the strengths of radiologists with AI algorithms to optimize breast cancer screening. Features include automatic breast density assessment, AI predictions enhanced by longitudinal data, and digital consensus conferences. The AI automates repetitive tasks by preparing pre-written medical reports and pre-selecting cancer-free normal cases.
International Expansion
Vara has expanded its operations internationally, launching its first international breast screening unit in Mexico in February 2022. Subsequent launches include India in January 2023 and Egypt in June 2023. These expansions demonstrate Vara's commitment to increasing access to advanced breast cancer screening technologies worldwide.
Funding and Support
In May 2020, Vara secured €6.5M in Series A funding led by OMERS Ventures. The company's research and development initiatives are co-financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Eurostar project. This financial backing supports Vara's ongoing efforts to innovate and expand its breast cancer screening technologies.