South Korea-based startup Lunit has signed a contract to supply its artificial intelligence (AI) solution for the BreastScreen NSW (BSNSW) State programme, managed by the Cancer Institute NSW (New South Wales' cancer control agency). Lunit's selection as the programme's supplier marks the first case globally in which an AI-based solution is being deployed by a national cancer screening organisation.

In 2021, the Cancer Institute NSW sought proposals and test results from potential suppliers for the supply, fulfillment, and/or delivery of a world-leading BreastScreen Machine Reading Solution built on the latest generation of deep machine learning AI technology for detecting cancers in screening mammograms. Lunit INSIGHT MMG, an AI solution for mammography analysis, was named as the preferred solution for this project.

BSNSW is part of the national BreastScreen Australia Programme, which is jointly funded by the Commonwealth as well as state and territory governments with the aim to improve the survival rates of women with breast cancer. The service aims to detect breast cancer early, providing free mammograms to women aged 40 and over.

Phase 1 of the BSNSW Machine Reading Project will validate the Lunit INSIGHT MMG solution to confirm the potential clinical benefits prior to operational deployment; Phase 2 will conduct a prospective validation of Lunit INSIGHT MMG in the intended production workflow; and in Phase 3, operational deployment will see the Lunit INSIGHT MMG solution integrated into the BSNSW PACS environment.

Upon successful completion of all three phases, Lunit will secure a 5-year operational contract with BSNSW, which is expected to lead to further secure supply and operation throughout Australia.