APRIL 21st, 2025 – Alibaba Group‘s research division, DAMO Academy, has developed an AI-powered tool named PANDA (Pancreatic Cancer Detection AI) that has been granted Breakthrough Device designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This recognition underscores the tool’s potential to significantly improve early detection of pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal cancer types globally.
PANDA utilizes deep learning algorithms to analyze non-contrast CT scans, identifying early signs of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In clinical studies involving over 20,000 patients, PANDA demonstrated a 34.1% increase in sensitivity compared to radiologists, detecting cancerous changes that were previously missed in 31 patients. Moreover, the tool maintains a low false-positive rate, with only one false positive per 1,000 tests, outperforming radiologists by 6.3% in specificity.
Since its deployment in 2023 at two hospitals in Zhejiang province, PANDA’s application has expanded to detect other cancers, including tumors of the liver, esophagus, and colon. Le Lu, head of DAMO Academy’s medical AI team, emphasized the goal of leveraging AI to enhance the entire cancer treatment process, from early detection to diagnosis, ensuring greater precision and accessibility.
The FDA’s Breakthrough Device designation is granted to technologies that offer more effective treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases. This status facilitates expedited development and review, aiming to provide patients with timely access to critical medical innovations.
PANDA’s recognition by the FDA, along with its inclusion in Fortune’s 2024 Change the World list, where Alibaba ranked 8th, highlights the tool’s significant impact on global health and its potential to transform cancer diagnostics .
