Founder: Dr Renyang Gu, Co-founder (Postdoctoral Research Associate, Imperial College London)
Success stories
ClearXview: Taking orthopaedic diagnosis to a new dimension
Knee osteoarthritis is not just an age-related problem, it can affect anyone. Its prevalence rises in people with active lifestyles and grows even higher after injuries, meaning far more people are at risk than previously thought. For patients, this often means living with persistent pain, reduced mobility and dependence on painkillers. Therefore, giving clinicians the accurate tools to detect it early for effective management, before it progresses to irreversible damage when surgeries is the only option. Today, screening for knee osteoarthritis still relies on X-rays, which often miss the subtle, early disease signs. ClearXview, a new venture from an Imperial College London researcher, is set to revolutionise orthopaedic imaging by using cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) to unlock a new dimension of detail from X-rays.
The venture, co-founded by Dr Renyang Gu, was born out of her postdoctoral research. “Initially, the technology was developed as a surgical AI tool to improve planning accuracy and reduce variability in orthopaedic procedures,” she explains. However, a deeper dive into the market revealed a more pressing need. “Through market analysis and customer interviews, I realised that the diagnostic space presented a greater unmet need and broader opportunity. With the power of AI, we could unlock far more clinical value from standard X-rays – especially in early-stage diagnosis.”
A powerful generative AI model
ClearXview uses a powerful generative AI model to transform routine 2D X-rays into a high-fidelity 3D image that provides the level of detail typically associated with a CT scan. This gives clinicians a much clearer and more comprehensive view of the joint, enabling them to identify abnormalities with greater accuracy and confidence. Ultimately, if this technology were applied at scale in routine care, it would catch knee osteoarthritis at an earlier stage in more patients. Also, because it requires only low cost X-rays, it would drive healthcare efficiencies in terms of finances, time, resources and potentially even carbon footprint.
Currently at the pre-spinout and pre-seed stage, ClearXview is focused on building a robust evidence base for its technology. The immediate goal is to validate its clinical impact across a large and diverse patient cohort with global leading surgeons, evaluating everything from diagnostic accuracy and clinician efficiency to the health economic benefits. This work is crucial for both regulatory approval and demonstrating commercial value.
The venture is already gaining significant traction. It has been awarded a prestigious National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) i4i grant to advance its clinical validation in collaboration with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. ClearXview has also presented its work at leading international conferences, including the European Congress of Radiology, and was a finalist in Imperial’s WE Innovate programme for women entrepreneurs.
Reflecting on the journey so far, Dr Gu highlights the pivotal role of the MedTech SuperConnector (MTSC) programme. “MTSC has been instrumental in helping us understand healthcare adoption pathways, connect with NIHR for grant opportunities and strengthen our investor readiness,” she says. The programme’s final pitch event also provided valuable insights that are now guiding the design of the venture’s upcoming clinical evaluation. By making advanced imaging more accessible and affordable, ClearXview is not just improving a diagnostic tool; it is aiming to transform the standard of care for millions of patients.
