ImpactAlpha, March 27 – Breast cancer survival rates are significantly lower in many emerging markets than in high-income countries. Startup Mamotest want to improve early detection in the region.

Mamotest uses AI-based diagnostics to interpret mammogram results and telehealth services to deliver results to patients. The company says it has screened 650,000 women since launching its digital health system last year; 87% of cancer-positive patients were diagnosed early enough for treatment.

The company raised $3.3 million in pre-Series A funding from Johnson & Johnson Impact Ventures, Merck, Sonen Capital and venture capital firm Sky High. (Disclosure: J&J Impact Ventures sponsors ImpactAlpha’s coverage of Investing in Health.)

How it works

Patients use Whatsapp to book appointments at a network of health centers in Argentina and Mexico. The mammography is uploaded to Mamotest for interpretation by its specialists. The company delivers test results to patients within 24 hours and provides ongoing care support.

Mamotest’s Guillermo Pepe said aggregated patient data is informing the treatments the company recommends to individual patients.