Haalthy Files for IPO: Leveraging Data Analytics to Match Cancer Patients with Optimal Treatment Plans
Beijing Pengshu Weili Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Haalthy”) was established in November 2015. The company’s project is a data analytics platform that brings together patients and neutral scientific information. In April 2016, Haalthy officially launched “Keli,” its cancer diagnosis and treatment regimen screening software (operated simultaneously via its WeChat official account). Currently, this software provides cancer patients and their families with reliable clinical data and a communication platform for connecting with similar cases. Haalthy’s mission is to help cancer patients extend their lifespan and improve their quality of life.
Cancer Patients Most Need Matched Diagnosis and Treatment; Haalthy Provides Solutions and Emotional Support for Patients and Their FamiliesData shows that the incidence of lung cancer in China is increasing by approximately 26.9% annually. In 2015, there were over 730,000 new cases of lung cancer, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. It is projected that by 2025, the number of lung cancer patients in China will reach one million, positioning China as the country with the highest burden of lung cancer globally. Upon diagnosis, the first step taken by patients and their families is often to seek treatment from renowned specialists. However, the vast number of patients cannot be adequately matched with the limited pool of doctors. The goal of seeking out top specialists is to receive timely and effective care. Given that each patient has unique characteristics and cancer is highly unpredictable, no time can be wasted in diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, personalized treatment plans are crucial for cancer patients.Haalthy is dedicated to providing patients with "analysis of treatment options based on joint discussions among similar patients and experts, supported by scientific data, to even identify more suitable treatment regimens." In addition to helping cancer patients screen for the optimal diagnosis and treatment plans, Haalthy provides case studies for reference by patients and their families. For patients, these successful cases instill confidence in their fight against the disease, enabling them to face illness with a healthy, positive, and proactive mindset while cooperating with treatment. Haalthy also serves as a communication platform where family caregivers can interact with others caring for patients with similar conditions, gaining insights into caregiving and receiving emotional support. Qiu Weini, CEO of Haalthy, told VCBeat that access to treatment case studies and online communication is vital. This process educates and guides patients and their families, helping them avoid harassment by so-called "miracle doctors" and "miracle cures."
Keli App Interface
“By comprehensively collecting cutting-edge data from both domestic and international sources, the company is building a database of diagnostic and treatment protocols for Chinese patients. ‘What Haalthy is changing is the way cancer treatment research is conducted. We have discovered a faster, more effective, and more humane approach to cancer research. Through efficient data collection and AI-driven analysis, we can precisely help different patients make more informed decisions,’ said Qiu Weini. The domestic and international diagnostic and treatment data on the Haalthy platform come from two sources:”
Screened, translated, and structured from millions of articles through a combination of manual review and algorithmic processing.
The company is building a database of test results and drug side effects for Chinese patients, stratified by different genetic drivers, immune statuses, and medication sequences.
On the Haalthy platform, a portion of the data comprises the world’s most cutting-edge information on medications and treatments. Although internet information in China is developing rapidly, this specific dataset is difficult for Chinese patients to find online and may even be unfamiliar to some Chinese doctors, as physicians cannot constantly track all the latest developments. Patients can use the precise data provided by Haalthy to identify clinical diagnosis and treatment plans suitable for them. The company will collaborate with hospitals and expand into the insurance sector.The experiences of her loved ones prompted her to decisively return to China to start a business. Haalthy’s founder and technical co-founder are two outstanding women. Founder and CEO Winnie Qiu graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. She previously worked in environmental data analysis in New York, participating in the data organization and analysis for the world’s largest environmental pollution case. She is also an active contributor to the cancer community. Technical co-founder Li Zhang holds a master’s degree in Computer Science from Fudan University and has previously worked at Amazon and Baidu, specializing in internet product development. Additionally, the team includes excellent oncologists and members with expertise in the pharmaceutical market.Discussing the reasons for returning to China to launch her startup, Qiu stated that in 2015, her father, uncle, and friend successively passed away due to cancer, prompting her decisive decision to return home and establish the company. She hopes that through her efforts, more cancer patients will receive timely and effective diagnosis and treatment, thereby changing the low five-year survival rate for lung cancer patients that has persisted for three decades. The team focuses on “how to collect more real-time patient data using simpler methods” to help more patients, and even doctors, make more precise treatment decisions.As a next step, Haalthy aims to cooperate with hospitals to enable one-click importation of patients’ in-hospital medical records into the platform, optimizing the screening process for optimal treatment plans. Furthermore, the company will collaborate with insurance providers to launch cancer insurance services, helping patients and their families reduce treatment expenses. Haalthy’s next round of financing is expected to take place in the second half of the year.
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