UE LifeSciences to Enhance Cancer Detection in India with RaKSA Initiative

This non-invasive, radiation-free technology enables early cancer detection and integrates seamlessly with a mobile application for digital documentation and navigation.

UE LifeSciences, a women’s healthcare innovation firm backed by notable investors like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Dr Ranjan Pai, is preparing to launch its initiative, RaKSA, in collaboration with the Central Government.

Scheduled for rollout next year, the program aims to detect breast, cervical, and oral cancers at primary health centers (PHCs) across India.

A Triple Cancer Detection Initiative

RaKSA will leverage UE LifeSciences' innovative handheld diagnostic devices—iBreastExam for breast cancer, CervAIcal for cervical cancer, and OrCa for oral cancer.

This non-invasive, radiation-free technology enables early cancer detection and integrates seamlessly with a mobile application for digital documentation and navigation.

"This game-changing solution will empower 40,000 PHCs across India, providing access to vital cancer screening for an estimated 190 million women," said Mihir Shah, founder and president of UE LifeSciences.

The program is designed to strengthen India’s healthcare infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved areas, by empowering community health workers to lead early detection efforts.

Headquartered in the United States, UE LifeSciences has established a presence in India, Malaysia, and Colombia and has expanded operations in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and South Africa.

The company now eyes high-income markets such as the United States and Europe for further growth, with planned expansions in Brazil and Chile.

The handheld diagnostic devices play a pivotal role in reaching women in remote areas who otherwise face barriers like long travel distances to access healthcare facilities.

Challenges & Regulatory Landscape

While the initiative offers transformative potential, it also faces challenges, including the slow adoption of new technologies, the need for training non-expert users and raising awareness among underserved populations.

Shah emphasized the importance of ensuring seamless linkage to treatment and follow-up care to maximize the initiative's impact.

In India, the regulatory framework for handheld diagnostics is promising but evolving.

The company advocates for streamlined regulatory approval processes, consistent quality standards, and supportive policies to accelerate the adoption of affordable and effective handheld diagnostic tools.

Future Prospects

UE LifeSciences has raised $7 million from angel investors and received support from prominent organizations, including the Bayer Foundation, Pfizer Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

With an additional $1.5 million in funding from other sources, the company is well-positioned for growth.

"We are in a growth phase with scalable business models across Latin America, Southeast Asia, MENA, and India. We project over $100 million in sales by the end of 2026," Shah stated.

To further its mission, UE LifeSciences plans to launch a program targeting urban working women in the top 100 cities across emerging markets.

This initiative addresses one of the most pressing healthcare concerns for this demographic, providing accessible and timely diagnostics.

Stay tuned for more such updates on Digital Health News.