In 2017, DeepTek.ai was born out of a realization by visionary founders Ajit Patil and Dr. Amit Kharat that the field of radiology was facing a critical challenge – an increasing number of scans surpassing the capacity of radiologists.
The inspiration to dive into this field came from a conversation with Tsyoshi Kitani, CTO of NTT Data, which sparked the idea of leveraging AI to augment radiologists’ capabilities. So Ajit Patil, alongside Dr. Amit Kharat and data scientist Aniruddha Pant, delved into researching and exploring possibilities in the radiology AI space.
(Co-founder of DeepTek.ai )
(Co-founder DeepTek.ai)
The early days were challenging, and after a visit to the U.S. to understand the landscape and challenges faced by other companies in the field, they nearly abandoned the idea. However, the breakthrough came with the concept of the “expert in loop” model – a unique approach aimed at augmenting, not replacing, radiologists.
Ajit Patil says, “In 2017, I was talking to Tsuyoshi Kitani, then CTO of NTT Data. He mentioned that they were interested in AI in radiology. They had a product in the US that was used in 1,000 hospitals there. In AI, data is the oil, and without data, you cannot do AI. Kitani said they had the data and wanted to explore something in this space, and if I could do something, they would look at it. I started researching. I met almost 30 to 40 people, including industry experts, educational experts, AI experts, and radiologists.” Thus, the “expert in loop” model sparked enthusiasm and laid the foundation for DeepTek.ai.
In 2018, they began working on the model, and by the following year, NTT DATA showed interest and decided to invest in their vision. Mitsui and Nobori, strategic investors, joined the journey, and DeepTek adopted a commercial adoption strategy, focusing on X-rays and identifying 20 pathologies automatically.
The “expert in the loop” model attracted 120 hospitals and imaging centers in Maharashtra as paying customers, leading to further expansion into international markets, including Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Africa.
DeepTek.ai’s commitment to innovation is evident through the seven patents defining unique processes for creating value. We acknowledge the challenges in creating AI models for diverse hospital datasets and ensuring robust integration into existing workflows. Each hospital’s data is unique, and customization is crucial for success. Our models need to be robust and seamlessly integrated to ensure widespread adoption.
Fast forward to the present, and DeepTek.ai has achieved a significant milestone – the clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for our revolutionary chest X-ray AI solution, CXR Analyser. This advanced technology utilizes deep learning algorithms to detect abnormalities in chest X-rays, aiding clinicians in making precise interpretations. Simultaneously, we maintain our focus on the APAC region, with recent deployments in Singapore and plans to broaden our impact across Southeast Asia.
Our strategies include close collaborations with renowned entities like Shimadzu and BJC Healthcare, aiming to extend our services to leading hospitals in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and beyond. We are also intensifying efforts in the U.S. market through partnerships with NTT Data and Shimadzu, aiming to provide Augmento AI and Augmento X-ray solutions to leading hospitals in the United States.
In the beginning, DeepTek.ai started with the founder’s funds. Later, we got funded by NTT Data, a software company, to help scale our operations to the next level. Recently, we also received Series A funding of $10 million from Tata Capital Healthcare Fund II, Pentathlon Ventures, and GHV. This funding enabled us to invest further in global outreach and secure important regulatory approvals.
Our journey marked the early stages of innovation in the radiology AI industry. Challenges have been addressed, milestones have been achieved, and the path forward is marked by continued innovation and value creation.
DeepTek’s AI solutions have already made a significant impact in India and the Asia-Pacific region, transforming healthcare by increasing access to quality care at a lower cost.
The company’s products are deployed in over 500 hospitals and imaging centers, impacting the lives of over a million individuals every year. In Singapore, DeepTek’s US FDA-approved platform, Augmento Enterprise, has been chosen as the national radiology AI platform, contributing to improved productivity and quality of care across public hospitals.
With its operations in Pune, DeepTek.ai has about 200 members and partners like TATA Capital, NTT DATA Japan, and Shimadzu Asia Pacific.
DeepTek.ai envisions a future where radiology AI transforms healthcare, has a positive impact on patient care, and, most importantly, makes healthcare accessible to all.
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