AI Diagnostics Raises $5.2M Pre-Series A to Scale AI TB Screening Device

L-R: Braden van Breda, Johan Coetzee, and Mark van Breda, AI Diagnostics Co-Founders

The Health-Tech Pulse: Summary (TL;DR)

Key Highlight: Cape Town-based AI Diagnostics has raised US$5.2 Million (R85 Million) in a pre-Series A round led by The Steele Foundation for Hope. The startup is deploying the Ostium digital stethoscope and AI.TB software, a breakthrough acoustic AI tool that enables frontline workers to detect tuberculosis (TB) in real-time without traditional laboratory infrastructure.

Tuberculosis remains one of the world's most persistent killers, especially in high-burden regions where diagnostic equipment is scarce. AI Diagnostics is reinventing a 200-year-old medical tool—the stethoscope—to solve a critical 2026 healthcare gap: the "silent spread" of asymptomatic TB.

The Innovation: Ostium Digital Stethoscope & AI.TB

Traditional TB screening often relies on symptoms like a persistent cough. However, data from the 2025 World TB Report reveals that 58% of TB-positive individuals in South Africa report no symptoms at all.

AI Diagnostics addresses this with a two-part solution:

• Ostium Hardware: A digital stethoscope designed for rugged, frontline use.

• AI.TB Software: An artificial intelligence model that analyzes lung sounds in real-time, identifying acoustic "signatures" of TB that are invisible to the human ear.

This allows nurses, pharmacists, and community health workers to flag high-risk patients for confirmatory testing immediately, regardless of whether the patient "feels" sick.

Funding for Global Impact

The $5.2 Million (R85 Million) funding round signals a pivot in the 2026 investment landscape, treating global health as a commercially viable sector.

• Lead Investor: The Steele Foundation for Hope.

• Participating Investors: iFSP Group, Global Innovation Fund, Africa Health Ventures, and Savant.

• Expansion Plans: The capital will scale operations across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, supporting clinical research already active in over 10 countries.

The TB Crisis: Why Early Detection Matters

According to the WHO 2025 Report, South Africa saw 249,000 cases and 54,000 deaths in 2024 alone. CEO Braden van Breda notes that by shifting the "geography of screening" from centralized hospitals to local pharmacies and community centers, the detection gap can finally be closed.

Tech Comparison: Traditional vs. AI-Powered Screening

Feature	Traditional Screening	AI Diagnostics (Ostium)
Primary Requirement	Symptom-led (Cough/Fever)	Acoustic Sound Analysis
Infrastructure	X-Ray/Lab Equipment	Portable Digital Stethoscope
Personnel	Specialist Clinicians	Community Workers/Nurses
Result Speed	Hours to Days	Real-time (Seconds)
Detection Rate	Misses up to 58% (Asymptomatic)	Targets "Silent" TB Signals

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the Ostium digital stethoscope?

A: The Ostium is an AI-powered medical device developed by AI Diagnostics that analyzes lung acoustics to screen for tuberculosis at the point of care.

Q: How does AI.TB software work?

A: AI.TB uses proprietary algorithms to identify lung sound patterns associated with TB infection, allowing healthcare workers to refer asymptomatic patients for immediate testing.

Q: Who can use the AI Diagnostics screening tool?

A: The device is specifically designed for non-specialist frontline workers, including community health workers, pharmacists, and nurses in under-resourced areas.

Q: Is AI Diagnostics approved for medical use?

A: Yes, the technology holds approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and is currently undergoing clinical validation in 10+ countries.

Q: How much funding did AI Diagnostics raise in 2026?

A: The startup raised US$5.2 million (R85 million) in a pre-Series A round led by The Steele Foundation for Hope.

Q: Can this technology detect other heart or lung conditions?

A: While currently focused on TB, the company is researching how the Ostium acoustic AI can be adapted for other respiratory and cardiovascular conditions in the future.

Source: Tech in Africa