DermaSensor Inc.
Category: AI in Healthcare
A handheld, AI-powered medical device for non-invasive, point-of-care evaluation of suspicious skin lesions for cancer. DermaSensor Inc. was founded in 2009. The company is led by Cody Simmons. Based in Miami, Florida, USA. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $48M. Latest round: Series B. Key investors include Ceros Capital, SternAegis Ventures, Lateral Capital, Dr. Maurice R. Ferré, Fred Moll.
- Founded
- 2009
- Headquarters
- Miami, Florida, USA
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $48M
Value proposition
To provide healthcare professionals with an immediate, objective tool to help them better identify suspicious skin lesions that warrant a referral to a dermatologist, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of skin cancer detection.
Products and solutions
DermaSensor Handheld Device
Unique value
DermaSensor is the first FDA-cleared, AI-powered device that enables non-specialist physicians to evaluate the three most common types of skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) non-invasively at the point of care.
Target customer
Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) and other frontline healthcare providers.
Industries served
Healthcare, Medical Devices, Digital Health, Artificial Intelligence
Technology advantage
The core technology is Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy (ESS), which uses light to capture information about the cellular and subcellular characteristics of a lesion. An AI algorithm then analyzes this data in seconds to provide a clear, binary result ('Investigate Further' or 'Monitor'), helping to standardize and improve the accuracy of skin lesion assessments by non-dermatologists.
How they differentiate
DermaSensor differentiates itself by offering a handheld, non-invasive device that uses AI and Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy to provide an immediate, objective assessment of suspicious skin lesions. Unlike competitors that may require biopsies, lab tests (DermTech's genomic patch), or are designed for specialist settings (Canfield's imaging systems), DermaSensor is built for frontline use by primary care physicians to help them triage patients more effectively.
Main competitors
DermTech, Canfield Scientific, Modernizing Medicine
Key partnerships
Boston University: The foundational Elastic Scattering Spectroscopy (ESS) technology was invented and patented by Professor Irving J. Bigio at Boston University, representing a core technology transfer partnership., UK National Health Service (NHS): Feasibility study announced June 2026 to evaluate AI-assisted skin lesion assessment by general practitioners., ContraCare GmbH: Distribution agreement announced September 2026 for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with the German launch under its DERMALYTICA division., Henry Schein Medical: Approved supplier relationship announced September 2026., MedTech MedCare: US commercial sales partnership announced September 2026., Medical Place: Exclusive reseller to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, announced September 2026., Major unnamed US healthcare institution: Nationwide customer agreement announced September 2026.
Notable customers
Information on specific customers or case studies is not publicly available.
Major milestones
Received FDA De Novo clearance in January 2024, making it the first AI-powered device to detect all three common types of skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma)., Successfully completed two FDA pivotal studies, meeting all primary endpoints., Obtained CE Mark, allowing for sales in Europe., Secured regulatory approval and is available for sale in Australia and New Zealand., Named to TIME's list of the Best Inventions of 2024.
Growth metrics
As of September 9, 2026, DermaSensor reported use by hundreds of healthcare provider organizations and more than 45,000 suspicious lesions scanned.
Market positioning
DermaSensor is positioned as a first-in-class, FDA-cleared decision support tool for primary care providers. It aims to become a standard preliminary evaluation tool for skin cancer, helping to reduce unnecessary referrals and specialist visits while catching cancers earlier. Its focus is on empowering non-specialists at the point of care.
Geographic focus
The company focuses on the United States and is expanding in Europe. It launched commercially in Germany in September 2026 through ContraCare, which also has distribution rights for Austria and Switzerland. The device is also commercially available in Australia and New Zealand.
Patents and IP
DermaSensor, Inc. holds numerous patents related to its technology, including for the handheld instrument design and the methods used for characterizing tissue through spectroscopy. Examples include patents for "Handheld instrument for characterizing tissue" and "Systems and methods for characterizing tissue".
About Cody Simmons
Previously served as SVP & General Manager at Verana Health, a healthcare data and analytics company. He also worked in marketing at Genentech and was a consultant at Leerink Swann. He co-founded DermaSensor in 2009.
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Official website: https://www.dermasensor.com/