A young Romanian company is changing how doctors prepare cancer patients for radiotherapy, according to a statement shared by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Synaptiq, co-founded by Dragoș Dușe and his childhood friend Roxana Săbău, developed an AI-powered tool that helps specialists quickly and accurately outline tumours, a step that once took hours. Their technology now supports over 80 percent of radiotherapy clinics in Romania and is gaining ground across Europe.
The journey began when Dragoș, then working in cancer research in Germany, saw a chance to speed up a crucial—but slow—part of cancer treatment. With support from EBRD and years of hard work, he and his teammates turned a late-night idea into patented software that can contour tumours on a single CT scan slice and then map the full 3D structure in seconds.
For Roxana, the team’s path wasn’t always easy. “In the beginning, doctors were unconvinced AI could help. But once we showed our tool in action, minds started to change—and so did our strategy,” she shared.
Synaptiq shifted focus from outlining healthy organs to tackling the more difficult job of identifying tumour edges, building up their technology with expert engineers and a dedicated medical team.
The startup has received vital support and specialist advice thanks to EBRD partnerships and technical grants. Synaptiq’s latest tool is now going through certification, with plans to expand into new clinics and markets. The founders credit teamwork, persistence, and a willingness to try new things for their success.
By closing the gap between engineers and doctors, Synaptiq is helping cancer specialists deliver care more quickly and accurately—and showing how new ideas can transform even the toughest corners of healthcare.
