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Selected for Phase 2 of the HealthTech Gateway "AI Medical in the US" Acceleration Program Conducted by JETRO in Collaboration with Mayo Clinic Platform
TOKYO, Jan. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Smart Opinion, Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kenji Yamanami), a company dedicated to developing "Smaopi," an AI-powered breast cancer screening tool that uses AI technology to analyze ultrasound image of the breast to detect suspected breast cancer through image diagnosis, is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of five startups to participate in Phase 2 of the HealthTech Gateway "AI Medical in the US" program. This program is organized by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in collaboration with Mayo Clinic Platform_Accelerate2, a medical technology startup support program within Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA.
This program, a collaboration between JETRO and Mayo Clinic Platform, which possesses one of the largest patient data networks in the United States, is designed to provide robust support for startups in the digital health sector and those utilizing AI in their products. The program will facilitate their entry into the US market, as well as provide access to medical data and product improvement opportunities.
In Phase 1, which served as a foundational program, 16 Japanese companies, including Smart Opinion, participated in a 10-week program from the end of September 2024, that included a visit to the United States. This initial phase focused on acquiring foundational knowledge for entering the US healthcare market, establishing networks within Mayo Clinic, providing opportunities for discussion with investors, and formulating effective business strategies.
Following further document screening, presentations, and interviews, along with a rigorous evaluation process, Smart Opinion, along with four other AI-driven digital health companies, has been selected for Phase 2. Phase 2 is a medical data utilization program, spanning 30 weeks, that will provide access to Mayo Clinic's medical data platform, which holds de-identified data from millions of patients. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage in AI model development and validation, receive one-on-one mentoring with experts, obtain feedback from clinical teams, and participate in pitch events targeting the Minnesota ecosystem, including Mayo Clinic, and investors. It is expected that this program will provide comprehensive support for entry into the US market.
By participating in the Phase 2 support program, Smart Opinion aims to leverage the expertise of Mayo Clinic specialists in the regulatory, clinical, technical, and business areas to further its business development. As a medical technology startup, we will validate the effectiveness of our AI technology "METIS Eye" in the US market and explore methods for its implementation in clinical settings. Through the support of many healthcare professionals, we aspire to expand our business and help save more lives from breast cancer.