The Market Development Fund Supports Visiopharm to Improve Cancer Diagnostics Across Europe
Hørsholm, Denmark — Today, the Market Development Fund, announced that it will support Visiopharm’s validation of its novel solutions for cancer diagnostics at seven Danish Hospitals and three international Hospitals.
Visiopharm’s diagnostic solution Oncotopix Dx™, planned for release this fall, is based on automated image analysis of tumor biopsies. Today, such biopsies are analyzed by pathologists by looking into a microscope. With the growing adoption of digital slide scanners, it is now possible to use image analysis technology to support the pathologist in the interpretation of the biopsy and support better treatment decisions.
Visiopharm has spent several years and made significant investments in the development of this technology and has established comprehensive clinical documentation to support the quality of the data provided by digital image analysis for diagnostics. “In practical terms it means two things, 1) The interpretation becomes standardized in the sense that the patient will get the same answer and treatment regardless of which pathology lab and pathologist is looking at the biopsy, and 2) pathologists achieve better diagnostic accuracy which means patients receive the best medical treatment for their cancer from the beginning,” says Johan Doré, CTO of Visiopharm.
“Using image analysis makes it possible to automate several aspects of the analysis. This will improve the turnaround times, which means that the patient will get an answer faster than today. It will likely also mean that diagnostic testing can ultimately be carried out at a lower cost per patient. Today these aspects are being tested across all major pathology labs in Denmark,” says Prof. Mogens Vyberg from Aalborg University Hospital and Director of the NordiQC.
“At Herlev Hospital, we have worked with and tested image analysis technology for more than 15 years. This is the first time we believe there is a solution that we can have faith in,” says Eva Balslev who is a consultant pathologist and MD at Herlev University Hospital.
“The stated goal of the Market Development Fund is to promote growth, employment and export, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises in areas where Denmark has particular strength and potential. Their support is very important to us. It recognizes our important contribution to a growing diagnostic healthcare problem that Western countries are currently struggling to handle. Also this support will help Visiopharm, in a very practical way, develop the near markets for our solutions,” says Michael Grunkin, CEO.
About Visiopharm
Over the past 13 years, Visiopharm image analysis and stereology software has become the preferred Quantitative Digital Pathology solution for healthcare, life science, and biopharmaceutical organizations all over the world. Our software is featured in over 600 scientific publications, and is compatible with leading slide scanner manufacturers, data management software, and a wide variety of microscopes and cameras. Visiopharm has grown into an international business with over 400 customers in more than 30 countries. Our growing network of authorized distributors and integration partners support the growth of Visiopharm solutions on several continents including North America, Europe and Asia. Visiopharm is headquartered in the Medicon Valley of Denmark and has a North America office in Broomfield, Colorado.
