A group of Serbian physicists, programmers, and radiologists, led by Stevan Vrba?ki, has developed a groundbreaking software solution through their startup, Vinaver Medical. After gaining experience through studies and research abroad, the team returned to Serbia, where they launched a project to improve cancer diagnostics using advanced radiotherapy technology.
Their work is centred on particle radiotherapy, a precise cancer treatment method that surpasses conventional X-ray-based radiotherapy. The innovation lies in software that combines AI and CT imaging to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve the planning of radiotherapy in oncology.
Unlike traditional methods, this solution enables far more precise targeting of tumours, which can potentially reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue. According to Vrba?ki, their software helps determine the optimal delivery of radiotherapy based on patient scans.
Vinaver Medical received initial funding through the 'Smart Start' program and later support from the 'Digital Serbia Initiative.' Their product is currently being tested in the United States, the European Union, and the Balkans.
Vrba?ki highlights the challenges of developing and certifying medical technologies, emphasising the need for rigorous testing, user adaptation, and risk reduction before market release. Looking ahead, the team plans to visit hospitals and innovation centres in Italy and the US to fine-tune their solution to meet user needs better.
With a certified, market-ready product in hand, they aim to launch commercially within a year to eighteen months, as testing with Dutch partners continues to validate the software's ability to assist doctors in diagnosing various illnesses with greater accuracy.
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