Cleerly’s Vision: AI-Powered Heart Screening to Prevent the Leading Cause of Death
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S., yet many people who suffer heart attacks are unaware they have the condition. Cleerly, a cutting-edge cardiovascular imaging startup, is on a mission to change this. Using AI-powered technology, Cleerly analyzes CT heart scans to detect early-stage coronary artery disease—similar to how mammograms and colonoscopies catch cancer in its early stages.
“The majority of people who will die of heart disease and heart attacks will never have any symptoms,” says Dr. James Min, a cardiologist and Cleerly’s founder. “At some point, we need to start screening the world for heart disease.”
Founded in 2017, Cleerly emerged from a clinical program Dr. Min began in 2003 at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine. Today, the company is conducting a multi-year clinical trial to prove that its AI tools can diagnose heart disease in symptom-free individuals more accurately than traditional methods, such as cholesterol tests or blood pressure monitoring.
If successful, Cleerly’s innovative approach could transform heart health diagnostics, creating a new standard in prevention and saving millions of lives.
Major Investors Back Cleerly’s Mission
Cleerly recently raised $106 million in a Series C extension round, led by Insight Partners, with additional investment from Battery Ventures. This funding builds on the company’s $223 million Series C round in 2021, led by T. Rowe Price and Fidelity.
While extension rounds sometimes signal slow growth, Scott Barclay, managing director at Insight Partners, disagrees. “Is growing fast,” he says. This funding helps support ongoing multi-site clinical trials while benefiting from Insight’s expertise in scaling enterprise software.
Dr. Min notes that Cleerly wasn’t in urgent need of additional capital but welcomed Insight’s strategic value in scaling the business.
How AI Is Changing Heart Disease Diagnosis
Cleerly’s technology focuses on identifying plaque buildup in coronary arteries, a key cause of heart attacks. Unlike traditional tests like stress tests or coronary angiograms—both invasive and time-consuming—Cleerly’s AI software analyzes CT scans more efficiently and non-invasively.
Health insurers and Medicare have already recognized its benefits. In October, Medicare approved coverage for Cleerly’s plaque analysis test, signaling broad acceptance of this new diagnostic approach.
Over the past four years, Cleerly’s commercial availability has fueled growth, with the company reporting over 100% annual growth. With Medicare coverage, Cleerly now has access to roughly 15 million U.S. patients presenting with heart problems annually.
Competing for a Healthier Future
Cleerly isn’t alone in the AI-driven heart health space. Companies like HeartFlow and Elucid are also developing similar tools. However, the market is vast—millions of individuals could benefit from preventive screening, ensuring room for multiple players.
Cleerly’s ultimate goal is to make heart disease screening as routine as cancer screenings. This shift could fundamentally change how the medical community approaches the prevention and early detection of cardiovascular conditions.
What’s Next for Cleverly?
Although Cleerly’s technology is already FDA-approved for diagnosing symptomatic patients, the company is awaiting clearance for general population screening. If approved, this could open a vast market for its AI tools.
Looking ahead, Cleerly aims to prove that its tools not only save lives but also reduce healthcare costs by preventing heart attacks. With growing support from investors, healthcare providers, and payers, is poised to redefine heart health diagnostics.
With AI leading the charge, Cleerly is setting a new standard for proactive, accurate, and patient-focused care in the fight against heart disease. Or proactive, precise, and patient-centric heart care.
