Subtle Medical receives Phase II funding approval to boost imaging technology

AI-powered medical imaging company Subtle Medical was awarded Phase II funding of its NIH small business innovation research (SBIR) grant to expand its SubtleSYNTH technology into brain imaging. 

The company received FDA approval for generating synthetic short tau inversion recovery (STIR) images (SynthSTIRs) from previously-acquired T1 and T2 weighted contrasts in spinal imaging. 

According to the company, the approval represents a significant step forward in MRI technology, offering zero acquisition time for SynthSTIRs while preserving clinical quality comparable to conventional STIR images.

SubtleSYNTH represents the newest addition to the company’s suite of AI-driven offerings, that include SubtleMR and SubtlePET software.

In a statement, the company said SubtleSYNTH aims to improve the efficiency and accuracy of MRI procedures, a benefit to patients and the imaging companies that they do business with by addressing procedure backlogs, long wait times and scheduling challenges.

“We are thrilled to receive Phase II funding for the expansion of our SubtleSYNTH technology,” Ajit Shankaranarayanan, chief product officer at Subtle Medical, said in a statement. 

“This grant not only validates the scientific merit of our approach but also empowers us to push the boundaries of what is possible in medical imaging. With FDA clearance for spine imaging and the support of the NIH, we are well-positioned to bring this transformative technology to brain imaging, further enhancing the speed, quality and safety of MRI exams.”

THE LARGER TREND

On July 24, Subtle Medical raised close to $10 million in a Series B+ round, bringing its Series B raise to over $30 million and total financing to more than $50 million. 

The funds were used to accelerateU.S. and global sales initiatives and expedite the launch of new AI-driven products.

SubtleSYNTH compliments the company’s previously FDA-cleared SubtleMR software, which allows accelerated image acquisition of up to 60 percent for MRIprocedures on any vendor’s product. 

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