TLDR: RIVANNA has received an additional $9.92 million in federal funding from BARDA to expedite the development of its CADe/x AI module for the Accuro XV system. This module aims to automate the detection of anatomical abnormalities and assist in diagnosing bone fractures, bringing the total BARDA funding to over $52 million for this critical medical technology.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – RIVANNA®, a leading developer of imaging-based medical technologies, announced today that it has been awarded an additional $9.92 million in federal funding from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This latest investment, part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is specifically allocated to accelerate the development of RIVANNA’s CADe/x artificial intelligence (AI) module for its Accuro XV system.
The CADe/x AI module is designed to revolutionize musculoskeletal diagnostics by automating the detection of anatomical abnormalities and aiding in the precise diagnosis of bone fractures. This advanced capability builds upon RIVANNA’s prior work under the BARDA contract, which included the development of AI-BoneEnhance®, an AI module focused on improving the visualization and classification of bone structures in ultrasound images. While conventional computer-aided detection (CAD) tools assist in identifying anatomical features, CADe/x significantly enhances this by detecting abnormalities and suggesting potential pathologies, thereby empowering even novice users to interpret ultrasound images and make accurate diagnoses.
Delphine Le Roux, PhD, PMP, Senior Director, Market Access and Strategic Partnerships at RIVANNA, emphasized the significance of this funding, stating, “Execution of option funding accelerates our ability to deliver high-impact clinical solutions. This investment enables us to expand multi-site clinical data acquisition and expedite the development of our AI technology for fracture and soft tissue abnormality detection. It also supports critical activities that advance us toward U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, bringing us closer to delivering a validated diagnostic tool that improves access to high-quality musculoskeletal care at the point of need.”
The Accuro XV is RIVANNA’s next-generation ultrasound platform, integrating ultrasound-based bone and 3D soft tissue imaging technology with AI-enabled software. This system is engineered to provide AI-enabled decision assistance for fracture triage, allowing healthcare providers to rapidly detect skeletal fractures and soft tissue injuries without exposure to ionizing radiation or the need for extensive training. The system is expected to introduce significant workflow efficiencies, leading to faster and more confident clinical decision-making. Once deployed, Accuro XV is anticipated to transform care delivery by accelerating the diagnosis of low-severity injuries, reducing unnecessary referrals for X-rays, and freeing up valuable imaging and physician resources for higher-acuity cases.
This latest award brings the total BARDA funding received by RIVANNA under this contract to over $52 million. The contract also includes the potential for cumulative support to reach more than $91 million if all remaining options are exercised. Previous funding rounds included $30.5 million in July 2023 and an $11.6 million base contract in 2021, demonstrating BARDA’s sustained commitment to RIVANNA’s innovative solutions.
Le Roux further noted that the execution of this option funding “fast-tracks development efforts, bringing the fully automated detection software to market nearly a year ahead of schedule. This milestone reflects the strong alignment among our team and clinical collaborators. That shared commitment continues to drive the program forward at an accelerated pace.” Dr. Will Mauldin, RIVANNA’s CEO and co-founder, highlighted the system’s unique advantage, stating, “the true value of Accuro XV lies in its ability to assess both fractures and soft tissue injuries simultaneously, which is not achievable with X-ray imaging.”
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This development underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly in diagnostic imaging. Industry analyses project the global revenue for AI platforms across healthcare to reach an estimated $18.8 billion by 2027, with the AI in diagnostic imaging market alone expected to exceed $1.2 billion by 2027, a significant increase from $336 million in 2022. RIVANNA’s selection for the prestigious MedTech Innovator 2025 Accelerator Cohort further solidifies its position as a key innovator in this rapidly evolving field.
