Canon Medical Research Europe has secured £3.6 million from Scottish Enterprise to lead a £14 million project aimed at transforming medical diagnostics through artificial intelligence. Based in Edinburgh, the company is using AI to automate routine imaging tasks, accelerating patient scans and improving the speed and accuracy of clinical decisions—especially in complex treatments like oncology. The investment is part of Scotland’s wider strategy to establish itself as a leader in health and life sciences, built on collaboration between industry, academia and the NHS. Health Secretary Neil Gray said the project illustrates Scotland’s growing global profile in healthcare innovation, which will be showcased at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Canon Medical, originally a spin-out from Edinburgh University and part of Canon since 2016, employs over 100 experts focused on AI imaging solutions. The firm plays a key role in initiatives such as the Industrial Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research in Digital Diagnostics (iCAIRD), a £15 million partnership accelerating early diagnosis and personalised treatments across Scotland’s health services. Among its breakthroughs is an AI tool designed to detect and measure asbestos-related cancers like malignant pleural mesothelioma—a disease where early diagnosis is vital. Backed by the Scottish Cancer Innovation Challenge, the prototype demonstrates the potential of AI in tackling hard-to-diagnose conditions. Canon has also helped streamline emergency care. In trials with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, its AI systems diagnosed COVID-19 from chest X-rays in minutes, delivering results on par with multiple radiologists and highlighting the potential for AI to support critical care. Scotland’s digital health ecosystem has helped drive these advances. Bodies such as the Digital Health and Care Innovation Centre and various consortia support the rapid translation of research into frontline healthcare tools. Canon Medical is one of several Scottish healthtech innovators heading to Expo 2025 under a Scottish Enterprise-led delegation. Others include firms developing tactile robotic skin, companion robots and precision surgical devices. Together, they represent a life sciences sector contributing nearly £10.5 billion annually to the Scottish economy. While ethical integration of AI in healthcare remains a challenge, Canon’s latest investment reflects strong momentum. “The goal is to help clinicians diagnose and treat more patients more effectively,” said Dr Ken Sutherland, President of Canon Medical Research Europe. With fresh funding and a global stage ahead, Scotland is positioning itself at the forefront of responsible, AI-powered healthcare innovation.
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