Volpara Health Technologies announced a new research and development collaboration with Microsoft to accelerate the creation of a product that detects and quantifies breast arterial calcifications (BACs). Microsoft and Volpara share a commitment to improving women's health through science and innovation. The product will build upon Volpara's approach to quantitative and objective breast density scoring using artificial intelligence (AI).

Capitalising upon Volpara's recent BAC patent, the product will create a tissue composition map that identifies and quantifies BACs from a mammogram, helping radiologists identify the need to take steps toward prevention of heart disease. Machine learning and AI specialists from Microsoft will assist with improving Volpara's BACs model and data processing, while Microsoft engineers will collaborate with the Volpara team on the product's technical development and operationalization. This project is an expansion of the companies' relationship over the last decade.

Last year, Volpara's innovative work in supporting healthcare providers was recognised with its SaaS (Software as a Service) Award win at the Microsoft New Zealand Partner Awards. Microsoft SaaS and cloud products have played a fundamental role in supporting Volpara's development of the latest, FDA-cleared version of their core AI algorithm. To date, the algorithm has been used to assess the breast composition of more than 14.5 million women through Volpara's analysis of over 60 Million mammography and tomosynthesis images.

These images, representing one of the world's largest de-identified image datasets, will prove a pivotal resource for the BACs project. The BACs product, as a cardiac decision-support tool for radiologists, would mark Volpara's entrance into a new area of care, part of a USD 146.4 billion cardiovascular disease market. With access to over 35% of the US breast screening market, Volpara has the installation base to facilitate rollout and adoption of the product, creating a new revenue stream.

For women, the BACs product would add a new dimension to their regular breast screenings, providing important information about their cardiovascular health. Any significant BACs findings could be delivered through the Volpara® Breast Health Platform directly to the healthcare provider or through Volpara's partner network.