Supported by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Dr. Ranjan Pai, and various angel investors, UE LifeSciences, a leader in women’s healthcare innovation, is preparing to roll out its RaKSA program aimed at identifying breast, cervical, and oral cancers in primary health centres (PHCs) in partnership with the Indian government next year.
The initiative is envisioned to be a community-driven early detection and navigation system for three types of cancer, relying on the company’s trio of portable diagnostic tools: iBreastExam for breast cancer, CervAIcal for cervical cancer screening, and OrCa for assessing oral cancer while facilitating digital record-keeping through a mobile app.
“This groundbreaking approach will enhance 40,000 primary health centres nationwide with safe, non-invasive technology for identifying breast, cervical, and oral cancers. RaKSA empowers India’s healthcare infrastructure, enabling PHCs to provide early detection services to approximately 190 million women,” explained Mihir Shah, UE LifeSciences’ founder and president.
He further stated, “We’re actively working with the government to integrate RaKSA into every PHC, revolutionizing women’s health in India.” With offices in the US, India, Malaysia, and Colombia, the firm is eyeing expansion opportunities in high-income markets like the US and Europe, and plans to grow further in Latin America, including Brazil and Chile.
Discussing the potential of handheld devices, Shah noted these innovations can significantly aid women in remote areas who often face challenges accessing hospitals or clinics for early diagnostic screenings.
However, challenges such as the slow adaptation of new technologies, effective training for non-experts, raising public awareness, and ensuring a smooth transition to treatment and follow-up care remain. While India’s regulatory framework for handheld diagnostics is promising, there is room for improvement in simplifying approval processes and setting clear quality standards and guidelines. The company remains actively engaged with regulatory authorities to promote the development and wide acceptance of safe, cost-effective handheld diagnostic tools, Shah noted.
UE LifeSciences has accumulated approximately $7 million in investment from angel investors, bolstered by significant contributions from the Bayer Foundation, Pfizer Foundation, Anjali Mashelkar Inclusive Innovation Award, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, among others, totaling over $1.5 million in funding.
“We are experiencing a growth phase, with business models scaling across Latin America, Southeast Asia, MENA, and India, offering B2B and B2G solutions. We are projecting sales exceeding US $100 million by the close of 2026,” Shah added.
Additionally, the firm plans to initiate a program targeting the urban-private market, aiming at 100 million women in emerging markets’ top 100 cities, where women’s health remains a critical issue, Shah noted.