May 10, 2025 – India
Johnson & Johnson MedTech has announced a strategic collaboration with healthcare AI innovator Qure.ai to enhance the early identification of lung cancer cases across India. This partnership, part of the larger Project BreatheEZ initiative, is focused on deploying AI-driven diagnostic tools to detect incidental pulmonary nodules (IPNs) at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Under this initiative, dedicated IPN Detection Clinics will be established across leading hospitals in India, combining advanced imaging technology with Qure.ai’s artificial intelligence solutions. The program will initially cover 10 central medical hubs and expand to include 20 additional spoke facilities, supporting a networked approach to lung cancer screening and follow-up care. The first center under this model has launched at Thangam Cancer Centre in Namakkal, Tamil Nadu.
With India witnessing a rising cancer burden — projected to increase to nearly 30 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by 2025 — there is a growing need for proactive and scalable solutions. Many lung cancer cases in India go undetected until advanced stages, making early diagnosis a critical area of focus.
Through this collaboration, AI will be used to analyze chest X-rays and CT scans, flagging potentially malignant lung nodules that may otherwise be overlooked. The structured implementation of these IPN clinics aims to introduce incidental screening into routine diagnostics, significantly improving the odds of early intervention.
Anuj Virmani, Managing Director for Johnson & Johnson MedTech India, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:
“Lung cancer remains a major health challenge, particularly in areas where access to advanced diagnostic facilities is limited. This partnership with Qure.ai aligns with our mission to bring life-saving technologies closer to underserved regions and to redefine how early detection can change patient outcomes.”
The partnership represents a step forward in integrating cutting-edge AI with medical practice, setting a new standard for lung cancer care in India and potentially serving as a model for other regions facing similar healthcare gaps.
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