At Assuta Ramat Hahayal Hospital, an innovative research study is currently underway seeking to detect cancer in its early stages through a groundbreaking combination of advanced artificial intelligence technology and the highly developed sense of smell of trained dogs, enabling remarkably high accuracy rates.
The technology was developed by Israeli startup SpotitEarly, which created a unique patent (registered in the US) capable of identifying four types of cancer – lung, breast, prostate, and colon – which together constitute approximately 50% of all new cancer cases worldwide. The company aims to expand detection capabilities to additional cancer types in the future. To date, over $8 million has been invested in the venture, with backers including two prominent Israeli funds – the Menomadin Foundation and Hanaco Fund.
The process is remarkably simple. Patients breathe into a specially designed face mask for 3 minutes. The mask is then transferred to the company's laboratory, where specially trained beagles "smell" the sample under the supervision of the company's sophisticated AI system. Each sample undergoes 3-5 separate tests to ensure highly accurate results.
The research has already included more than 1,400 participants, most between 40–70 years old, with the technology demonstrating an impressive 94% accuracy rate.
Gidi Leshetz, CEO of Assuta Medical Centers, said, "This represents a tool with genuine potential to save lives. It's non-invasive, straightforward, and most importantly, capable of creating real change for patients. Early detection has repeatedly proven to save lives. We will continue advancing and implementing innovation across all medical fields at Assuta."
Ariel Ben Dayan, Founding Partner at SpotitEarly, said, "We are proud and delighted about our collaboration with Assuta. The openness and support that RISE provides to Israel's digital health company ecosystem are truly exceptional. SpotitEarly was established on the understanding that early cancer detection will save countless lives, and that combining advanced technology with capabilities developed in nature through millions of years of evolution represents the most effective approach to solving this challenge. This partnership with a leading Israeli health organization brings us significantly closer to realizing the company's vision."
Dr. Merav Galili, CEO of the Menomadin Foundation, said, "The unique development from SpotitEarly may lead to a global breakthrough in early detection of the most common cancer cases. Menomadin Foundation has collaborated with the company's founders since its earliest stages, driven by a desire to improve and strengthen early cancer detection capabilities – an advancement that could save millions of lives worldwide. Menomadin Foundation works to strengthen Israel's social resilience through developing and implementing comprehensive national programs. The fund operates under a unique model aimed at ensuring long-term economic sustainability through impact investments in groundbreaking Israeli startups. Founded in 2019 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Haim Taib, the fund currently maintains a diverse portfolio spanning foodtech, agritech, health-tech, and additional sectors."
