Lung Cancer Diagnosis with PreciousMD

Medipex helped the team to identify opportunities for their technology and to attract collaborators with a clear value proposition.

 

The clinical need

Precious MD have developed an AI-based system to enable non-invasive diagnosis of lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer death, which requires genetic mutation information to inform appropriate treatment.  Their algorithms use information from CT scans of patients (that are already conducted as part of the existing diagnostic pathway) to identify the type of cancer with great precision and offer the prospect to remove the current requirement for invasive biopsies, reducing the time to diagnosis and discomfort/pain for patients. 

Project challenge

The team had struggled to engage clinical collaborators to validate their algorithm in the UK market and were seeking support to develop and communicate a compelling value proposition to attract project partners and to understand the ways in which they could obtain the data and support they needed to progress product development.

How did Medipex help?

Medipex conducted a desk-based review of the current diagnostic and treatment pathway and identified gaps in the delivery of targeted therapy that was related to the limitations of current testing methods. National guidelines and targets were also identified that constitute drivers for the NHS as well as regional and national initiatives implemented to tackle the problem.  Cost consequence modelling was carried out in collaboration with MAARS Ltd (Market Access and Reimbursement Solutions Ltd), using data from published literature and NICE guidance, which indicated that Precious MD’s innovation could be a cost-effective alternative to the current recommended testing pathway. Finally, a stakeholder survey provided additional useful real-world information to inform future adoption strategies.

Impact

The useful evidence that was presented by Medipex pertaining to both the clinical need and cost effectiveness of PreciousMD’s technology will attract project partners. Specific potential collaborators and supporters were identified through both secondary and primary research, and the company decided to first explore opportunities with the Lung Cancer Screening Programme.   The practical advice given helps to shape the way the company works with the NHS.

Lovena Pillay, Senior Scientist and Tech Lead at PreciousMD said "We would like to take this opportunity to extend our immense gratitude to all of you for your invaluable inputs – we acknowledge the time and effort that you all have put into compiling this very comprehensive report and into constructing the cost model.  It has been an absolute pleasure working with all of you.”