AI startup targeting CT imaging-based heart attack prediction launches with $54M war chest

Artificial intelligence startup Cleerly launched on Monday, backed by $43 million in new funding and the goal to help predict heart attacks utilizing CT imaging.

Investment firm Vensana Capital led this fundraising round, with contributions from the American College of Cardiology and health insurer Cigna’s venture arm. Cleerly is hoping to create a “new standard of care” for heart disease, using large sets data to better understand and forecast patient outcomes.

“Advanced imaging has been key to diagnosing and preventing the most common causes of cancer for years, but we’re not using it yet to prevent the most common cause of death,” Founder and CEO James Min, MD, said in a statement. “We use 3D mammograms, colonoscopies and lung CT scans to find and prevent breast, colon and lung cancer, but we haven’t had similar capabilities for the world’s number one killer—heart disease.”

Myocardial infarction is responsible for about 1 in every 4 U.S. deaths, yet the causes of such blood blockages are poorly understood and tough to pinpoint. Cleerly hopes to clear up this concern with the help of coronary computed tomography angiography. Its approach uses CCTA to perform comprehensive coronary artery phenotyping using Food and Drug Administration-cleared solutions, according to an announcement. The cardiology diagnostics company said its AI tools analyze scans to automatically determine atherosclerosis, stenosis, and other coronary findings.

Cleerly also said its technology can help primary care and cardiologists understand the importance of data, without mastering advanced imaging. The firm said it will use the Series B funding—ballooning its war chest to $54 million—to scale its commercial reach and strategic partnerships. Prior to launching Cleerly, James Min was a professor of radiology at Weill Cornell Medical College.