Google's Med-GEMMA 1.5, AI Oncology Investments, and More - Life AI Weekly #51
January 21, 2026 -
Life AI Weekly
Hi there,
Welcome to this week's edition of Life AI Weekly, where we delve into the latest advancements in healthcare and life sciences AI. This week, Google has made headlines with the release of Med-GEMMA 1.5 and MedASR, designed to enhance medical imaging and dictation through AI. Meanwhile, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has secured a significant grant to develop AI-driven personalized learning tools for medical education, marking a step forward in integrating AI into medical training.
In other news, Optum Ventures has invested in Risa Labs, an AI oncology startup, to support the deployment of its AI operating system across healthcare settings. Additionally, Quantumzyme Corp. and Predictive Research Inc. are collaborating to explore AI applications in green chemistry, focusing on sustainable chemical processes. These stories highlight the diverse applications of AI in healthcare, from improving diagnostic tools to advancing medical education and sustainable practices.
Welcome to this week's edition of Life AI Weekly, where we delve into the latest advancements in healthcare and life sciences AI. This week, Google has made headlines with the release of Med-GEMMA 1.5 and MedASR, designed to enhance medical imaging and dictation through AI. Meanwhile, the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has secured a significant grant to develop AI-driven personalized learning tools for medical education, marking a step forward in integrating AI into medical training.
In other news, Optum Ventures has invested in Risa Labs, an AI oncology startup, to support the deployment of its AI operating system across healthcare settings. Additionally, Quantumzyme Corp. and Predictive Research Inc. are collaborating to explore AI applications in green chemistry, focusing on sustainable chemical processes. These stories highlight the diverse applications of AI in healthcare, from improving diagnostic tools to advancing medical education and sustainable practices.
Google Releases Med-GEMMA 1.5 and MedASR for Medical AI
Google has introduced Med-GEMMA 1.5, an updated medical imaging model, and MedASR, a speech-to-text model for medical dictation, to enhance AI integration in healthcare. Read more
University of Cincinnati Receives $1.1 Million AMA Grant for AI in Medical Education
The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has been granted $1.1 million by the American Medical Association to advance AI-driven personalized learning for medical trainees, focusing on enhancing clinical reasoning and communication skills. Read more
Optum Ventures Invests in AI Oncology Startup Risa Labs
Optum Ventures, part of UnitedHealth Group, has co-led an $11.1 million Series A investment in AI oncology startup Risa Labs. The funding aims to support the deployment of Risa Labs' AI operating system for oncology across various healthcare settings in the U.S. Read more
Quantumzyme Partners with Predictive Research for AI in Green Chemistry
Quantumzyme Corp. has partnered with Predictive Research Inc. to explore AI applications in enzyme engineering and sustainable chemical processes. Read more
Vista AI Raises $29.5M for MRI Tech Expansion
Vista AI has secured $29.5 million in Series B funding to enhance its automated MRI scanning technology. The investment aims to broaden MRI applications and improve remote scanning capabilities. Read more
EQT Life Sciences Co-Leads Funding for Exciva's Alzheimer's Therapy
The €51 million Series B funding will support Exciva's Phase 2 clinical trial of Deraphan, targeting agitation in Alzheimer's patients across the EU, US, and Canada. Read more
iSono Health Launches AI-Driven Wearable Breast Ultrasound
iSono Health has launched a new wearable breast ultrasound platform that is FDA-cleared, utilizing AI to improve breast imaging and monitoring. Read more
Google Expands Gemma Model Family for Healthcare AI in India
At the Google AI Startups Conclave in New Delhi, Google announced new models, MedGemma 1.5 and FunctionGemma, to enhance AI in India's healthcare sector. Read more
SAP and Fresenius Partner for AI Healthcare System
SAP and Fresenius have announced a strategic partnership to develop an AI-supported healthcare system focusing on data sovereignty and security. Read more
Orbem Secures €55.5 Million for AI MRI Tech
Munich-based startup Orbem has raised €55.5 million in Series B funding to enhance its AI-driven MRI technology for non-invasive biological analysis, including poultry egg inspection. Read more
Sheba Medical Center and Shamaym Expand AI Partnership
The Sheba Medical Center has partnered with Shamaym to implement Medinsight.ai, an AI platform aimed at improving patient safety across the hospital. Read more
VizMark's VM1 Tumor Marker Gets FDA Clearance
VizMark has received FDA 510k clearance for its VM1 visual tumor marker, which is designed to enhance visibility in breast imaging without creating artifacts. The company plans to begin commercial rollout in the U.S. and support clinician education. Read more
HTX Launches CBRNE@Changi Lab for Pandemic Preparedness
The HTX has opened the CBRNE@Changi facility to bolster Singapore's response to CBRNE threats and enhance pandemic resilience using AI-driven tools. Read more
DiaCardia AI Model for Prediabetes Screening in India
Researchers in India have developed DiaCardia, an AI model that uses ECG signals to detect prediabetes, potentially replacing the need for blood tests. The model aims to enhance early detection for millions of Indians at risk. Read more
Insilico and Hygtia Partner on AI-Driven CNS Drug
Insilico Medicine and Hygtia Therapeutics have announced a collaboration to develop ISM8969, an AI-driven NLRP3 inhibitor for Central Nervous System disorders. Insilico will lead initial clinical trials, while Hygtia will focus on further studies and commercialization. Read more
IBM and Microsoft Develop AI for Tumor Immune Activity Detection
Researchers from IBM and Microsoft Research have created GigaTIME, an AI system that analyzes pathology slides to detect immune activity in tumors, offering insights into cancer behavior without costly methods. Read more
Bristol Myers Squibb and Microsoft Collaborate on AI for Lung Cancer Detection
Bristol Myers Squibb has partnered with Microsoft to use AI technology for early detection of lung cancer. The initiative focuses on improving access to detection tools in underserved U.S. communities using FDA-cleared AI algorithms. Read more
BioticsAI's AI Ultrasound Product Gets FDA Approval
BioticsAI has received FDA clearance for its AI software that detects fetal abnormalities in ultrasound images, aiming to enhance prenatal care. Read more
HistoIndex and Houston Research Institute Collaborate on AI Diagnostics for MASH
HistoIndex has partnered with the Houston Research Institute to enhance AI-driven diagnostic services for Metabolic Dysfunction–associated Steatohepatitis. The collaboration aims to improve clinical decision-making and patient care through advanced AI-based testing and expert evaluations. Read more
Bristol Myers Squibb and Microsoft Collaborate on AI for Lung Cancer Detection
Bristol Myers Squibb has partnered with Microsoft to use AI technology for early detection of lung cancer. The collaboration aims to improve care access in underserved communities by utilizing FDA-cleared radiology AI algorithms. Read more
Brainomix AI Tech Used in Pulmonary Fibrosis Trial
The AI imaging technology from Brainomix has been chosen as a co-primary endpoint in a significant clinical trial for pulmonary fibrosis, underscoring its role in evaluating treatment effectiveness. Read more
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Modernizes Contract Management with AI
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation is upgrading its contract management system using CloudMoyo IntelliDoc Analyze, a generative AI service, to improve data handling and security. Read more
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