Delphinus invests in Aarhus-based AI solution for better cancer diagnoses

Uncertainty in diagnosis and patients living with constant fear of relapse. This was everyday life for urologist Jacob Elmose when he worked with bladder cancer patients. Rather than accept the limitations of existing practice, he chose to leave a long clinical career to develop a technological solution to an overlooked problem.

The result was MedTech startup Cystotech, which has just received a new investment of DKK 12 million from Delphinus Venture CapitalFuel for startups' rocket ride. Venture capital is pro investors who create pool funds to seek innovation, and to mentor. It is high risk, high reward journeys. More and a syndicate of business angels to bring its AI-based solution closer to clinical use, according to a press release.

Lifelong control and subjective assessments

Bladder cancer is one of the most recurrent cancers. As a result, many patients undergo lifelong surveillance, where even minor uncertainty in the diagnosis can lead to repeated examinations, unnecessary interventions and significant mental stress.

Today, the diagnosis is primarily made by cystoscopy, where the doctor’s assessment is largely visual and therefore subjective. It was precisely this uncertainty that Jacob Elmose repeatedly experienced in the clinic.

“You follow bladder cancer patients for years. They know the risk of recurrence is high, and for some, the constant fear is almost worse than the disease itself. I thought we should be able to do this better and more objectively using artificial intelligence,” says Jacob Elmose, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Cystotech.

From research to entrepreneurship

As early as 2017, Jacob Elmose began investigating whether artificial intelligence could be used as decision support in cystoscopy. It was a time when AI was not yet widely used in clinical practice. The project evolved into a clinical research collaboration where project nurse Anna Munk, with more than 16 years of experience in urology, became a central part of the work.

“If we can help ensure that patients with real disease are adequately treated – and that fewer people are subjected to unnecessary interventions – then we have made a real difference,” says Anna Munk, Co-CEO of Cystotech.

In October 2021, Jacob Elmose and Anna Munk founded the company together with Philip Butenko, Thomas Grønning Knudsen and Claus Hansen.

AI as an extra set of eyes

Cystotech’s own specialized team has developed CystoAID, an AI-based software solution that integrates directly into existing cystoscopy equipment. The solution flags suspicious tissue in real-time during the examination and acts as an extra layer of decision support for the doctor.

An early prototype demonstrated the potential of the technology by identifying changes that were not detected during routine checks.

“It was a moment that confirmed why we founded the company. It’s not about replacing the doctor, it’s about providing an extra set of eyes and creating greater certainty in decisions,” says Jacob Elmose.

Capital for commercial deployment

Cystotech has now obtained CE marking and is working towards commercial launch in Europe through partnerships with manufacturers and distributors of cystoscopy equipment. The investment from Delphinus Venture Capital will accelerate this roll-out and support further development.

“Cystotech is a strong example of how deep clinical insights can be translated into technology with both human and industrial impact. This is exactly the type of company we want to invest in,” says Katrine Riisberg, Investment Associate at Delphinus Venture Capital.

The long-term ambition is for Cystotech’s technology to become an integral part of the standard equipment of global medical device manufacturers, benefiting even more patients.