In this session of Leading with Data, we have the honor of hosting Dr. Geetha Manjunath, the Founder and CEO of Niramai Analytix. With a distinguished career spanning over 25 years, Dr. Geetha has made significant strides in the field of artificial intelligence and healthcare. Holding a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science and management education from Kellogg’s School of Management, she has pioneered a revolutionary AI-based test for early-stage breast cancer detection. Her innovative contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the CSI Gold Medal and a place on Forbes’ List of Top 20 Self-Made Women 2020.
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Key Insights from our Conversation with Geetha Manjunath
- Personal motivation can be a powerful catalyst for innovation in healthcare technology.
- Regulatory approvals and clinical studies are critical for AI-based healthcare solutions to gain trust and enter new markets.
- Advances in thermal imaging technology, combined with AI, can offer non-invasive and effective methods for early-stage breast cancer detection.
- AI in healthcare is not limited to diagnostics; it extends to improving overall patient experience and operational efficiency within healthcare systems.
- Generative AI has potential in healthcare, especially in medical education and data synthesis, but its application in clinical decision support requires careful consideration due to accuracy requirements.
- Collaboration with medical professionals is essential for tech researchers to understand and address real healthcare problems effectively.
- A consensus-based leadership style that involves stakeholders in decision-making can lead to more inclusive and successful outcomes in a startup environment.
Let’s look into the details of our conversation with Dr. Geetha Manjunath:
How did Niramai Health Analytix begin its journey in AI and healthcare?
Thank you, Kunal, for having me on your show. I consider myself an accidental entrepreneur because I never imagined I’d be running a company. My journey began as a techie, deeply passionate about creating impactful technology. The transition from being a principal scientist at HP Labs to entrepreneurship was triggered by personal loss due to breast cancer in my family. This motivated me to focus on developing a non-invasive, radiation-free AI-powered test for early-stage breast cancer detection. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m proud to say that Niramai is now pioneering a new method in this field.
What were the initial challenges in bringing an AI-based healthcare solution to the market?
The early days were all about learning a new domain. I immersed myself in medical conferences and literature to understand the current state of art in breast cancer detection. Building a team and navigating the uncertainties of healthcare startups were significant challenges. We had to ensure our AI algorithms were highly accurate, as false negatives or positives could have severe implications. Conducting clinical studies and gaining regulatory approvals were also critical steps in our journey.
Can you explain the role of thermal imaging in breast cancer detection?
Certainly. While thermal imaging for detecting breast abnormalities was known, it wasn’t widely used due to various challenges. We leveraged advancements in thermal imaging technology and AI to model the temperature patterns on the skin that could indicate the presence of a tumor inside the body. Our AI algorithms analyze over 600,000 temperature points to detect cancer, combining traditional machine learning techniques with deep learning as our dataset grew.
How does Niramai navigate the regulatory landscape when expanding to new geographies?
Each country has its regulatory requirements for medical devices, and AI-based solutions like ours are relatively new to these frameworks. In Europe, we obtained the CE mark, which allowed us to expand into multiple countries. In the US, we need FDA approval. While these processes are stringent, having published clinical studies in peer-reviewed medical journals helps build trust and facilitates regulatory approvals.
What are the current trends and the future of AI in healthcare?
AI in healthcare can be categorized into three buckets: non-clinical aspects like customer experience and resource utilization, clinical decision support systems where AI aids doctors in making better decisions, and enablers like wearable devices. Generative AI, while still new to healthcare, holds promise in areas like medical education and data synthesis. However, its application in clinical decision support systems requires caution due to the need for high accuracy.
What advice would you give to researchers looking to solve healthcare problems with AI?
Find a problem that resonates with you personally, as this connection will help you persevere through challenges. Collaborate with medical professionals to understand the nuances of the problem and identify where AI can make a real impact. The field of AI in medical imaging is vast, and there’s a significant opportunity to improve early detection and diagnosis across various conditions.
How has your leadership style evolved, and what has been the most impactful experience for you as a leader?
My leadership style is consensus-based, involving stakeholders in brainstorming and decision-making. Owning up to failures and crediting the team for successes is crucial. Balancing the roles of CEO and CTO has been challenging, but my technical background and business acumen have been instrumental. The most impactful experiences include addressing the United Nations General Assembly and witnessing the positive reception of our cancer screening camps, which have changed the experience of cancer screening for many.
What do you do to unwind after a busy day?
I find relaxation in simple activities like watching sports or a comedy movie. However, my daily practice of pranayama and yoga, particularly the Art of Living techniques, helps me stay grounded and focused on the present moment.
Summing-up
As we conclude this session, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Geetha Manjunath for sharing her invaluable insights and experiences. Her groundbreaking work at Niramai Analytix not only exemplifies the power of AI in transforming healthcare but also highlights the importance of innovation driven by personal motivation and expertise. Dr. Geetha’s journey from a computer scientist to a recognized entrepreneur and leader serves as an inspiration for many. We look forward to seeing how her continued efforts will further revolutionize healthcare and inspire future advancements in AI technology.
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