Infervision Medical Embraces Diversified Healthcare Ecosystem to Co-create AI-Driven Value

From July 8 to 10, the 2021 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) took place as scheduled. Themed “Intelligent Connectivity for a Shared Future,” the 2021 WAIC aimed to connect and consolidate the latest achievements and perspectives in global AI development, chart a new blueprint for worldwide collaboration in artificial intelligence, and inject fresh vitality into the healthy development of China’s AI sector.This year, Infervision was invited to attend the conference, where a series of highlights unfolded over the three-day event: signing a strategic cooperation agreement with GE Healthcare; launching an exploration of “AI + healthcare application scenarios” with AstraZeneca; engaging with industry experts in discussions on the industrial applications and development of AI in healthcare; and receiving the Award for Outstanding Units in the AI Industry Innovation Challenge, having secured first place in the healthcare track of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s “Open Competition Mechanism” (Jiebang Guashuai) project. Through these initiatives, Infervision has comprehensively and deeply embraced a diversified healthcare ecosystem to jointly create value in AI-driven healthcare.

At the “Edison Medical AI Summit” held by GE Healthcare on July 8, Infervision and GE Healthcare signed a strategic cooperation memorandum. The partnership aims to leverage Infervision’s artificial intelligence research capabilities and technological strengths, while building upon GE Healthcare’s high-quality products and services as well as the advantages of its Edison AI platform, to accelerate market entry and clinical adoption.

From left to right: Yan Hua, Vice President and CMO of GE Healthcare China; Dai Ying, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of GE Healthcare China; Wang Shaokang, Co-founder and COO of Infervision; Zhang Yihao, President and CEO of GE Healthcare China

At the summit, GE Healthcare officially unveiled its latest R&D achievement—the “Edison Magic Box” AI application platform. Designed around hospital users’ needs, the platform delivers multi-disease AI applications to hospitals in an integrated manner. Through unified interfaces and user interfaces, it enables centralized lifecycle management and access to applications either on-premises or in the cloud, while ensuring continuous updates and upgrades. This approach effectively avoids resource waste caused by fragmented, standalone deployments and redundant development. Infervision’s and GE Healthcare’s advanced imaging equipment will be interconnected on the Edison platform, forming solutions such as precise lung cancer screening.

Dai Ying, Vice President of GE Healthcare China and Chief Innovation Officer, stated, “We believe that practice is the sole criterion for validating digital healthcare. GE Healthcare aims to build an open, integrated, empowering, and service-driven ecosystem paradigm.” By partnering with multiple Chinese AI companies, including Infervision, GE not only drives the deep integration of AI into clinical practice but also leverages cross-industry collaboration to establish a digital healthcare infrastructure tailored to the needs of Chinese patients and physicians, thereby facilitating the large-scale adoption of precision medicine at the grassroots level.

Infervision, as a Strategic Partner, Showcases AI Healthcare Innovation Applications at the GE HealthCare Booth During WAIC

At this year’s World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), Infervision, as a partner of AstraZeneca, joined its “AI Smart Screening Vehicle” initiative, showcasing the application scenarios of “AI + Healthcare” through an interactive exhibition experience. Infervision presented its AI-assisted CT screening tool for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), designed for mobile screening settings, and provided a dedicated introduction during the roadshow session, allowing attendees to personally experience the achievements and potential of technology-enabled smart healthcare.

Professional attendees learn about Infervision’s “CT-COPD AI Screening” system aboard the “AI Intelligent Screening Vehicle”

It has been reported that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has become the third leading cause of death from disease worldwide, with increasing attention being paid to its early screening and treatment. In China, only 12% of COPD patients have undergone pulmonary function testing, which is the gold standard for diagnosing COPD. Due to various factors, such as the low penetration of spirometers in primary care settings and the high level of patient cooperation required for pulmonary function tests, missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses are common, causing patients to miss the optimal window for intervention. In response, Infervision is leveraging innovative AI technologies to provide more efficient early screening solutions for COPD that better meet the needs of primary healthcare. The company also expects to collaborate with AstraZeneca to explore the use of AI-based CT image analysis for early screening and auxiliary diagnosis of COPD, aiming to improve the currently low diagnosis rate of the disease.

“Technology for All · Industry Penetration” AI-Enabled Digital Healthcare Industry Forum, one of the most anticipated sub-forums at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), was hosted by EqualOcean. The forum aims to uncover the innovative transformations brought about by the integration of artificial intelligence and the healthcare industry. It invited renowned industry scholars and experts, executives from leading AI healthcare companies, and heads of innovative enterprises to jointly discuss implementation scenarios, value, and future opportunities of AI in healthcare. At the forum, Wang Shaokang, Co-founder and COO of Infervision, shared the significant practical value of AI in healthcare through two case studies: early screening for lung cancer and technology-driven epidemic response.

Wang Shaokang, Co-founder and COO of Infervision, Shares Case Studies on the Clinical Implementation of AI in Healthcare

Data show that lung cancer is the malignancy with the highest incidence and mortality rates in China, yet the early detection rate remains below 5%. For lung cancer management, the industry widely recognizes “early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment” as the most effective approach. Infervision’s AI-powered precision screening, diagnosis, and treatment solution for lung cancer assists physicians in delivering intelligent early diagnosis, precise early intervention, and comprehensive follow-up management, while also facilitating hospitals’ translation of scientific research into clinical practice. This enables early screening, diagnosis, and treatment for patients, and helps health insurance programs effectively reduce medical expenditures for this single disease entity.

Another innovative application case emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Infervision launched a bidirectional mechanism of joint R&D and clinical validation with multiple hospitals in Wuhan, Shenzhen, Beijing, and other cities. This enabled the rapid upgrade and development of AI-powered products for COVID-19 based on clinical needs. Infervision’s intelligent auxiliary screening and epidemic monitoring system for pneumonia can quickly assist doctors, hospitals, and government authorities in diagnosing COVID-19, conducting quantitative assessments, and monitoring the epidemic. The system has made significant contributions to epidemic prevention and control as well as disease diagnosis. It not only played a crucial role on the front lines of China’s fight against the pandemic but was also deployed in hospitals across multiple countries and regions, including Japan, Italy, and Germany, providing vital support to healthcare workers worldwide battling COVID-19.

At the Industrial Development Forum of this conference, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) grandly announced the winning entities of the “Call for Proposals on Key Tasks for Innovative Development of the Next-Generation Artificial Intelligence Industry.” Infervision emerged victorious from among thousands of enterprises by taking on the challenge of technological breakthroughs and leading AI innovation, securing the top position in the “Medical Imaging Computer-Aided Diagnosis System” track and earning the title of Winning Entity.

As early as November 2018, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the “Work Plan for Unveiling Key Tasks in Industrial Innovation of Next-Generation Artificial Intelligence” and announced tasks across 17 tracks. The initiative aimed to select a cohort of innovative entities with mastery of core key technologies and strong innovation capabilities, identifying leaders and pioneers in major AI subfields. Over one thousand entities nationwide applied for this “open competition mechanism,” with approximately 200 shortlisted. After about two years of task-focused breakthroughs and multiple rounds of evaluation, more than 100 entities passed the assessments and were awarded the title of “Outstanding Performers in the Open Competition.” In the healthcare track, five entities received this distinction. Infervision emerged from among over a thousand enterprises through rigorous task execution and multi-round evaluations, ultimately securing first place in the healthcare track.

Infervision Awarded Certificate as “Top-Ranked Entity in the Open Competition”

Infervision’s product for this initiative is its Chest CT Auxiliary Diagnosis System. This system enables comprehensive, multi-disease screening from a single chest CT scan, covering pulmonary abnormalities (pulmonary nodules, pneumonia, and fibrotic streaks), bone lesions, and mediastinal abnormalities (lymph nodes and heart). It supports more than ten disease diagnosis and health management items. As an intelligent “one-scan, multiple-check” system for chest disease diagnosis and health management, it significantly addresses key diagnostic challenges faced by radiologists and reduces patients’ risk of radiation exposure from repeated examinations. The product features broad auxiliary screening coverage, integration of multiple algorithm types, user-friendly operation, independent core technology, and wide applicability across various scenarios. Infervision holds full independent intellectual property rights to the core technologies of its Chest CT Auxiliary Diagnosis System, with technical capabilities ranking among the most advanced globally.

Having been selected for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s new-generation artificial intelligence “open competition” project and tasked with tackling key challenges in AI-assisted medical imaging diagnosis, Infervision has not only obtained China NMPA Class III approvals for its AI solutions for lung cancer screening and pneumonia, but also secured market access qualifications including EU CE marking, Japan PMDA certification, and US FDA clearance. This makes Infervision a global AI healthcare company with multiple products and certifications approved across the four major markets. Furthermore, while deeply rooted in China, Infervision has actively expanded its overseas presence in more than 20 countries across North America, the Asia-Pacific region, and Europe. In this national-level “open competition” initiative, Infervision has stood out by leveraging its globally leading technological capabilities, strongly demonstrating the core strength of AI in healthcare.

Looking Back at WAIC 2021: Chen Kuan, Founder and Chairman of Infervisionstated, “We are deeply honored to participate in the 2021 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. At this prestigious event, Infervision actively embraced the ecosystem with a commitment to openness, collaboration, and mutual benefit, joining hands with global industry leaders, renowned experts, and professional organizations to jointly promote synergy and ecosystem development in the artificial intelligence industry, thereby fully contributing to its sustainable and healthy growth. Looking ahead, we will remain dedicated to the clinical implementation of AI in healthcare and collaborative ecosystem building, continuously striving to address public welfare challenges through advanced technologies.”