Access to early screening for breast cancer, the most common form of cancer in women globally, is a challenge in many emerging market countries.
Berlin-based healthtech startup Vara, launched in 2018, uses AI imaging to monthly screen more than 80,000 women in Germany. Vara says it lowers the rate of false positives, while improving detection. The new raise “not only validates our technology but enables us to accelerate Vara’s expansion for global impact,” said Vara’s Jonas Muff.
The company will expand to India, where the cost of a mammogram is a barrier for low-income women. Vara is partnering with NM Medical’s network of breast diagnostic and screening clinics in Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune.
Women’s health
Vara’s round was backed by European family offices, including Austria’s Smart Family Office and Germany’s FJH. “By combining an AI-driven screening approach with proven medical evidence and commercialization in emerging markets, Vara is an excellent fit for the goals of our impact fund,” said Ute Mercke of German healthcare investor IBB Ventures, which invested through its €30 million ($32.2 million) IBB Ventures Impact Fund. Other Vara backers include OMERS Ventures, EQT Foundation and Soleria Capital.
