London Imaging Network Advances Standardized Breast Cancer Screening with AI-Enhanced Radiology Services and Strategic China Entry

This year marks the fourth anniversary of London Imaging Network (LIN), and it has been an especially busy year for its CEO, Dr. Farzana Rahman. Established by radiology specialists from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), LIN focuses on delivering standardized teleradiology interpretation services to support clinical decision-making. Currently, LIN provides integrated imaging solutions to healthcare institutions across the United Kingdom and has partnered with Alliance Medical, a leading European imaging service provider, to jointly offer teleradiology interpretation services.

“Earlier, we also had the idea of expanding our business to China while in London, but this plan was put on hold due to our unfamiliarity with the Chinese market,” Dr. Farzana Rahman told VCBeat. “It wasn’t until early this year, when the UK Department for International Trade approached us and introduced us to Shanghai United Family Hospital’s Aurorae and West China Hospital’s ‘Sun Doctor’ project, that we truly began entering the Chinese market.”

All members of the LIN team have a radiology background, with expertise spanning NHS policy development, economics, medical imaging, and education and training. Dr. Farzana Rahman serves as the company’s CEO. Previously, she was a Consultant Radiologist with an in-depth understanding of UK national health policies and strategies. She has served as the Head of Data and Digital Strategy at NHS Digital and the Royal College of Physicians, and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications. She has also contributed to the publication of national guidelines related to end-user standards for digital health and clinical AI applications within the NHS.

The company’s COO, Dr. Amy, is the Editor-in-Chief for medical imaging at the international flagship journal The BMJ and an expert in randomized controlled trials. The company’s CFO, Dr. Sam, is a specialist in cancer screening and radiology; prior to this role, he had over ten years of experience in commodity trading and is responsible for the company’s finance and fundraising.

Furthermore, the Company’s CMO, Dr. Jaymin, is also a radiologist and serves as the lead of the UK’s largest national radiology training program, bringing extensive experience in medical education.

“As radiologists, we are well aware of the importance of accurate diagnosis for patients,” said Dr. Farzana Rahman. In May 2019, led by Mr. Ash Green, Commercial Consul at the British Consulate-General in Chongqing, LIN visited Wuhou District in Chengdu to examine the transformation of primary healthcare service models. “We observed that hospitals of all sizes are establishing regional imaging centers, and even township clinics are collaborating with large hospitals,” Dr. Rahman stated. “Although these township clinics are equipped with medical imaging devices, they lack professional radiologists to provide accurate interpretations. We hope to work with local partners to deliver precise imaging interpretation services to these primary healthcare institutions.”

Following on-site investigations across multiple locations in Sichuan, LIN ultimately partnered with Shangyi Aurora and signed a memorandum of understanding regarding imaging solutions for cancer screening. Leveraging mobile, breast-specific MRI screening equipment through collaborative operations, Shangyi Aurora (Aurora) aims to establish a standardized diagnostic screening service system, providing women with precise breast cancer screening services. On September 5, 2019, LIN also entered into a cooperation agreement with the Wuhou Maple Tree Primary Care Transformation Research Center to jointly explore next-generation innovative projects in primary healthcare.

LIN Signs Cooperation Agreement with Wuhou Maple Primary Care Transformation Research Center (Second from Right: Dr. Farzana Rahman, CEO of LIN)

“Olori’s vision aligns with ours,” said Dr. Farzana Rahman. “I believe that entering an unfamiliar market largely depends on local partners. Fortunately, Olori shares our commitment to driving healthcare transformation through innovative imaging solutions. Our collaboration with Olori aims to raise public awareness of the importance of health check-ups and screening, encouraging people to adopt regular examination habits rather than waiting until they become ill before seeking treatment.” In the field of breast cancer screening, radiologists often play the most critical and direct role. Common breast cancer screening methods include breast ultrasound, mammography (X-ray), and breast MRI (BMRI). However, a key challenge remains: both primary care institutions and large hospitals lack comprehensive breast cancer screening systems.

“Our system begins with breast screening, such as mammography or breast ultrasound. Our NHS expert team interprets the imaging findings. For women with normal results, we recommend a follow-up check-up in 2–3 years. If abnormalities are detected, our experts will formulate further management plans, thereby establishing a standardized breast cancer screening pathway,” explained Dr. Farzana Rahman.

LIN also boasts extensive experience and rigorous standards in image interpretation and standardized processes. “Five percent of the images we interpret require consensus between two radiology experts before proceeding to the next step. This includes determining whether a follow-up screening is truly necessary after initial screening, as well as establishing the timing for re-examination and selecting referral hospitals during the referral process,” said Dr. Farzana Rahman.

Regarding the advancement of imaging services, Dr. Farzana Rahman believes that the first priority is to conduct market research and segmentation. “Currently, breast cancer screening in China is highly fragmented, and the government has no centralized plan for female breast cancer screening at this time. Therefore, we intend to survey different customer segments to determine which customers are willing to pay out-of-pocket for breast cancer screening and which require coverage through government medical insurance or other financial support to access these services. Only by gaining a thorough understanding of these models can we refine the services we offer.”

Currently, LIN has partnered with Aolorei for breast cancer screening. The company is also seeking collaborations with additional hospitals to jointly establish standardized and streamlined cancer screening services. Furthermore, the company is pursuing strategic or venture capital financing, which will be used to recruit more local imaging interpretation experts and radiologists.