Advanced AI makes cancer care more equitable
11 February / 2025
Stratipath is revolutionizing cancer diagnostics by combining medical expertise with AI technology. Their award-winning product, Stratipath Breast, enhances precision diagnostics, making them faster, more affordable, and accessible to more breast cancer patients.
Founded in 2019, Stratipath quickly gained recognition, with Stratipath Breast receiving CE-IVD certification for clinical use within the EU in just three years. This achievement earned them the HealthTech Award at the 2024 Vitalis Conference.
– Being recognized at a platform like Vitalis is invaluable for a startup like ours, says Lars Lengquist, Head of Communication at Stratipath.
Stratipath was co-founded by Johan Hartman, professor of tumor pathology, and Mattias Rantalainen, associate professor, both from Karolinska Institutet.
Their research teams developed AI-driven models for breast cancer risk profiling, and with the expertise of Fredrik Wetterhall, an experienced entrepreneur, they turned research into a real-world product. Today, Stratipath Breast is already in use at several healthcare institutions, including St. Göran’s Hospital, where it was recently adopted by Unilabs.
AI-Powered Cancer Diagnostics
Stratipath Breast is designed for use after a cancerous tumor has been confirmed, such as post-biopsy or surgery. It is particularly valuable for the 50% of cases where tumor aggressiveness is difficult to assess.
Using AI to analyze digitized tissue samples, Stratipath Breast provides faster and more detailed risk assessments than traditional methods. In less than an hour its algorithms evaluate recurrence risk and support oncologists in making treatment decisions.
– Unlike gene expression analysis, which can take weeks and cost up to 30,000 SEK, our solution is faster, simpler, and far more cost-effective, says Lengquist. This means more patients can access precision diagnostics.
The HealthTech Award: A Seal of Excellence
Ahead of last year’s Vitalis Conference, Lars Lengquist and the Stratipath team applied for the HealthTech Award, believing they had a strong case.
– I was cautiously optimistic – we had a real shot at winning, says Lengquist.
When Stratipath was announced as the winner, it was a moment of pride for the team.
– This award is a powerful validation from a respected jury. It boosts team morale and strengthens our credibility in the healthcare industry.
Unlike some awards, the HealthTech Award cannot be bought, making it a trusted mark of quality.
– It’s more than just an award – it’s a seal of approval that helps us gain visibility among healthcare professionals and policymakers.
Why Startups Should Apply for the HealthTech Award
– Winning provides valuable exposure – not just at the event, but also in the media and among key decision-makers who can shape a startup’s success, says Lengquist.
Stratipath AB
Founders:
Johan Hartman, Co-founder & CMO, Professor of Tumor Pathology at Karolinska Institutet, Senior Physician at Karolinska University Hospital.
Mattias Rantalainen, Co-founder & CTO, Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet.
Fredrik Wetterhall, CEO.
Founded: 2019
Employees: 15
Venture Capital Raised: 61.5M SEK
Since earning CE-IVD certification in May 2022, Stratipath Breast has been adopted in multiple Swedish healthcare regions, including Västmanland, Örebro, Kalmar, as well as St. Göran’s Hospital via Unilabs.
The HealthTech Award recognizes groundbreaking healthtech innovations that make a real impact on people’s lives and well-being. The award is a collaboration between GREAT network, Vitalis, and Sahlgrenska Science Park, and is given to an innovative company based in the Nordic or Baltic region. It honors healthtech solutions or products that enhance healthcare, prevention, prediction, well-being, and overall quality of life.