Johnson & Johnson Medtech, Qure.ai partner to enhance early detection of lung cancer in India

This initiative is part of Project BreatheEZ, a broader strategic collaboration between Qure.ai and Johnson & Johnson MedTech, and designed to establish AI-led Incidental Pulmonary Nodule (IPN) Detection clinics across leading hospitals in India. These clinics will act as integrated screening hubs, optimizing early detection, triaging, and follow-up care for lung cancer patients. As part of this collaboration, Qure.ai’s AI technology will be deployed across 10 hub medical centers in India, with an additional 20 supporting spoke sites. The first such clinic has been launched in Thangam Cancer Centre in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu.

In India, one in nine persons is likely to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. It is an increasing health concern, and the projected cancer burden is expected to rise from 26.7 million DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) in 2021 to 29.8 million in 2025. This growing health challenge needs innovative solutions to improve early detection and ultimately save lives. Traditional diagnostic methods often fail to detect lung cancer at an early stage, leading to delays in treatment.

"By harnessing of artificial intelligence in the modalities of X-Ray & CT scans, Johnson & Johnson MedTech India & Qure.ai are enabling the detection of potential lung nodules that might otherwise be missed. This happens through flagging risky nodules in X-Rays and CT Scans that can potentially turn out to be malignant. It also introduces the concept of structured IPN clinics where there is a proactive impetus towards incidental screening of early-stage lung cancer. This partnership embodies Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s commitment to enhancing early lung cancer detection, ultimately transforming the standard of lung cancer care," the release stated.

Anuj Virmani, Managing Director, India, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, said, “Lung cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of cancer in both men and women. In India, where access to advanced healthcare facilities is often limited, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, patients face significant challenges in receiving timely and effective diagnosis, which further delays access to treatment. Our collaboration with Qure.ai is a testament to our commitment to advancing healthcare through innovative solutions continues to drive impactful collaborations and integrating our solutions in lung cancer.”