In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality rates, Valentina Agudelo has launched Salva Health, inspired by her passion and determination stemming from a college entrepreneurship competition. Six years ago, Agudelo discovered alarming disparities in breast cancer survival rates between her home country of Colombia and developed nations, where late detection remains a leading cause of increased fatalities.

Breast cancer, when identified early, has a high treatability rate; however, many women in Latin America, particularly in rural areas, lack access to essential diagnostic tools like mammograms. Recognizing this critical gap, Agudelo, alongside her two friends, conceptualized a portable device to facilitate early detection.

“I couldn’t let go of the problem we had identified,” Agudelo stated in an interview with TechCrunch, highlighting her unwavering commitment to the cause. This passion led to the development of the company’s flagship product, Julietta—a compact device that uses electrodes attached to each breast to measure tissue density and deliver results swiftly via a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Since founding Salva Health, Agudelo's journey has been remarkable. She not only graduated from college but also gained valuable experience interning at PepsiCo and working with a Colombian health tech startup before completing her MBA at INSEAD. Despite these commitments, her primary focus remained on advancing Salva Health.

The company has forged a significant partnership with Grupo Sura, a leading Colombian insurance provider, to conduct clinical trials and develop an advanced AI model for predicting breast cancer risk—significantly enhancing their screening capabilities. Currently, with a small yet dedicated team of 13 employees, Salva Health is on the brink of obtaining crucial regulatory approval from Colombia's INVIMA, akin to the FDA in the United States.

It’s important to note that while Julietta is not a replacement for traditional mammograms, it serves as an essential screening tool that can help detect anomalies and evaluate the likelihood of malignancy. According to Agudelo, this information can allow insurance companies to prioritize women for more comprehensive diagnostic procedures.

As a finalist in the TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 Startup Battlefield, Salva Health has ambitious plans to distribute Julietta throughout Latin America upon receiving INVIMA’s endorsement. Agudelo expects neighboring countries to recognize this approval through existing commercial treaties. The company is also keen on seeking FDA recognition of INVIMA's approval, understanding that even in markets with abundant mammogram machines, the introduction of Julietta could lead to significant cost-efficiencies in healthcare.

“We aim to gain approval in emerging markets like Africa and India as well,” Agudelo added, emphasizing the broader potential impact of their innovation.

In a unique twist on traditional business models, Salva Health plans to offer the device at no cost to clinics, instead charging health payors for each screening performed. Agudelo's decision to adopt a hardware-as-a-service model reflects her desire to maintain control over the device and data, allowing for continuous improvements based on user feedback.

Looking ahead, Salva Health does not wish to stop at breast cancer detection. The team is exploring avenues to tackle early indicators of other health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. “Our focus is on early detection, ensuring that individuals can receive diagnoses and treatment at a fraction of the conventional costs,” Agudelo emphasized, demonstrating Salva Health's holistic approach to healthcare innovation.

As the world watches, Salva Health stands at the forefront of potentially transforming healthcare accessibility, championing early detection of diseases that have long plagued underserved demographics.