Helena Ije (Better Medicine)

Overview

Helena Ije is a prominent figure in the field of medical technology, most notably as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and co-founder of Better Medicine, an innovative Estonian healthtech startup established in 2020. The company specializes in applying artificial intelligence (AI) to radiology, specifically in the automation of cancer diagnostics. Better Medicine is known for its BMVision system, which effectively integrates AI to enhance the identification and analysis of cancerous abnormalities in medical imaging, aimed primarily at renal lesions. Helena's leadership in operations, combined with her background in digital health, has been pivotal in the startup's growth and the successful deployment of its AI-driven solutions across Europe and beyond.

Recent Developments

August 2025: Under Helena Ije's operational guidance, Better Medicine continues to solidify its presence in the AI-health technology sector, expanding its geographic footprint and strengthening strategic partnerships worldwide.
July 2023: Better Medicine secured a substantial €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council’s Accelerator. This funding aims to advance Better Medicine's research capabilities and refine its AI models further. Source
2022: The company made significant strides in expanding its AI solutions to new markets. Helena's strategic operational insights facilitated partnerships with major healthcare systems in countries such as the UK, South Africa, and the USA. This expansion is part of an initiative to alleviate the growing diagnostic challenges faced by global medical imaging departments. Source
2021: Better Medicine and Helena appeared in notable mentions due to their involvement in enhancing cancer diagnostic procedures through AI. With the increasing strain on radiology departments worldwide, particularly highlighted by the UK’s shortage of imaging specialists, Helena's role has been critical in addressing these systemic issues through the deployment of the BMVision system. Source
2020: Since its inception, Better Medicine has focused on developing the BMVision Kidney, an AI system assisting radiologists expediently and accurately. The system has achieved a commendable identification accuracy rate of 99.2% while significantly reducing diagnostic time.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Helena Ije
Born	Not publicly available
Nationality	Estonian
Occupation	Chief Operating Officer at Better Medicine
Known For	Co-founding Better Medicine, advancing AI in medical diagnostics
Net Worth	Not publicly available
Education	Not publicly available

Early Life and Education

While detailed public records of Helena Ije’s early life and education are limited, her background in health technology and operations highlights a career deeply influenced by advancements in digital health and AI applications in medicine. Her experience, particularly with the NHS in the UK, provided her with invaluable insights into healthcare operations, helping her co-lead Better Medicine to its current success.

Career and Notable Achievements

Helena Ije co-founded Better Medicine in 2020 with innovative visionaries from Estonia and Ukraine. Here’s a closer look at Helena’s professional journey:

2020: Co-founding Better Medicine with Priit Salumaa, Bohdan Petryshak, Martin Reim, and Dmytro Fishman, Helena leveraged her operational expertise to develop AI tools aimed at improving cancer diagnostics.
2021: Successfully led the operational expansion of Better Medicine’s seminal product, BMVision, emphasizing its integration in clinical workflows globally.
2023: Played a pivotal role in securing a €2.5 million EIC Accelerator grant, facilitating advancements in AI-powered cancer diagnostics.
Ongoing: Under her leadership, Better Medicine continues expanding its technological offerings, focusing on integrating AI into broader medical imaging environments globally.

Current Work and Impact

Helena Ije's current focus is on deploying Better Medicine's AI technologies to further enhance the efficiency and efficacy of cancer diagnostics. Her leadership ensures that the company’s innovative tools are accessible in various healthcare environments around the world, addressing systemic issues like diagnostic delays and workforce shortages in radiology. Better Medicine's AI models have been incorporated into healthcare systems, reducing the diagnostic time by up to 52%, and maintaining an accuracy rate of over 99%. These innovations contribute significantly to the fight against cancer, epitomizing the impact Helena’s work has on global health developments.

Conclusion

Helena Ije's influence in the health technology landscape is noteworthy, marked by her commitment to innovation and efficacy in medical diagnostics. As COO of Better Medicine, her work continues to support the integration of AI into healthcare systems, providing a blueprint for addressing critical challenges in cancer diagnostics globally. With continued efforts, Helena and her team at Better Medicine are poised to redefine how medical imaging and diagnosis are performed, paving the way for a healthier future through technological advancement.