AI innovation triumphs in Olympus Asia Pacific Program

Vesica AI, a promising medical startup company, emerged as the winner of the inaugural Olympus Asia Pacific Innovation Program (OAIP). Selected from a pool of four finalists, Vesica AI stood out for its ground-breaking AI-based clinical support system that enhances early bladder cancer detection during cystoscopy procedures. The collaboration between the University of Tsukuba Hospital in Ibaraki-prefecture, Japan, and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) resulted in the creation of Vesica AI.

Olympus Corporation, a global MedTech company dedicated to improving lives, partnered with MedTech Innovator Asia Pacific to launch OAIP in 2023. The program sought visionary startups with connections to the Asia Pacific region, encouraging submissions of technologies contributing to the advancement of minimally invasive care and innovative approaches to detect, monitor, and treat various conditions.

Vesica AI, as the winning innovator, will receive a grant of $75,000 and an exclusive mentorship program featuring key thought leaders from Olympus. This mentorship initiative aims to foster meaningful connections between Vesica AI and Olympus experts, supporting the company's future success.

Felicia Chung, Business Development Head at Olympus Corporation Asia Pacific, expressed enthusiasm for all finalists and highlighted Vesica AI's potential to elevate the standard of care in bladder cancer diagnosis.

Albert Liu, CEO, and Charles Zahl, COO of Vesica AI, jointly stated that the recognition signifies their team's hard work and dedication. They anticipate the mentorship program to be transformative, refining their business model, focusing on commercialisation, research and development efforts, and accelerating fundraising and strategic collaboration plans.

Marc Radatt, CEO of Olympus Corporation Asia Pacific, commended Vesica AI's innovative technology and its potential to revolutionise early bladder cancer detection, expressing eagerness to collaborate with their talented team as inaugural winners.