There is progress on the integration of digital pathology systems and proprietary algorithms designed to help pathologists make diagnoses. This month, Visiopharm and Omnyx LLC, announced a joint venture. On its own, in Europe last year, Visiopharm earned a CE mark for its “in vitro diagnostic (IVD) software module for the breast cancer marker HER2.” Visiopharm says it is close to releasing several other CE-marked software modules for the diagnosis and classification of breast cancer. The two companies intend to integrate Visiopharm’s products with Omnyx’s digital pathology system.
MORE ON: Digital Pathology Integration
As most pathologists know, many IVD manufacturers usually go to Europe first to get market clearance for their newest analyzers and assays. That seems to the be the strategy of Visiopharm and Omnyx. The two companies said that they intend to “improve the quality of care by offering clinically validated image analysis algorithms that are reagent agnostic. Omnyx will be distributing these approved algorithms upon Visiopharm’s completion of the integration and validation.”
MD ANDERSON USES IBM’S “WATSON”
For readers who are tracking the progress of IBM’s “Watson” computer, the latest development involves the The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. IBM and MD Anderson announced the fruits of their collaboration: “a prototype of MD Anderson’s Oncology Expert Advisor powered by IBM Watson.” The partners hope to use Watson to expand clinicians’ precision in treating different types of cancer.
TRANSITIONS
- Sunquest Information Systems announced the appointment of Keith Laughman as the Executive Vice President Community Care Solutions. Laughman was most recently President and CEO of med fusion. He has also held executive positions at Speciality Laboratories, AmeriPath, and Mayo Medical Laboratories.
- Laboratory Corporation of America announced the retirement of CFO Brad Hayes. He is expected to step down in 2014. No replace- ment has been hired. Hayes started at LabCorp in 1996 and has held several positions at the company. A CPA, he was formerly with KPMG.
Dark Daily Update
Have you caught the latest e-briefings from DARK Daily? If so, then you’d know about…
…how the U.S. military is training more than 500 laboratory technicians annually and, upon completion of their service commitments, these individuals are available for employment by clinical labs in their communities.
You can get the free DARK Daily e-briefings by signing up at www.darkdaily.com.
