Visiopharm launches Qualitopix™ for AI-driven standardization of tissue staining at USCAP 2022

March 21, 2022: Today, Visiopharm launches Qualitopix™ for AI-driven standardization of tissue staining at USCAP 2022 is introducing its novel and unique Qualitopix™ solution to delegates at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology (USCAP) Annual Meeting , one of the largest global pathology events, bringing together decision makers and leaders in the field of pathology.

Qualitopix is a solution for monitoring and managing stain quality of immunohistochemical (IHC) and in-situ hybridization (ISH) tissue biomarkers. With this solution, pathology labs will be able to detect challenges with staining protocols, instrumentation, or assay performance allowing for timely intervention. The tools for documentation of staining quality over time, can furthermore support accreditation activities under ISO15189.

The Qualitopix solution is complementary to External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes, and is developed in collaboration with, for example, UK NEQAS and NordiQC. With Qualitopix, it now becomes possible to monitor drift and fluctuations in stain quality between quality runs, which is critical to assess staining proficiency in a diagnostic context.

Data from EQA schemes shows that as many as 30% of labs fail proficiency testing for some tissue biomarkers1. This is the problem Visiopharm is targeting with its AI-driven Qualitopix solution in close collaboration with EQA schemes. The initial focus for Qualitopix will be management of stain quality for companion diagnostic tissue biomarkers, supporting de-centralized and standardized deployment of such assays.

The subject of AI-driven stain quality standardization will be explored in Visopharm’s seminar on 23 March at USCAP, with Marilyn M. Bui, MD, Ph.D., FCA from Moffitt Cancer Center. Dr. Bui will discuss:

• Challenges related to IHC standardization for existing biomarkers and novel CDx biomarkers.
• Benefits and limitations of external proficiency testing schemes.
• How cell line controls can be utilized to monitor stain quality continuously and aid quality documentation.
• Practical implications of this approach.

Søren Nielsen, NordiQC Scheme director said:

“NordiQC have collaborated with Visiopharm for more than a decade as scientific advisors. One area of collaboration has been AI-driven decision support for tissue biomarkers. We are very excited about AI-driven stain quality measurement and management, which is a novel use case for AI and deep learning. We see great potential for this technology, which in combination with validated reference standard materials can be a central QC asset to evaluate and ensure IHC precision testing. We look forward to the continued collaboration.”

Dirk Vossen, Visiopharm Chief Diagnostic Officer said:

“We are thrilled to introduce Qualitopix at USCAP. We have received great feedback from the labs that have participated in our pilot studies. They tell us how Qualitopix has helped them detect issues with assays, protocols, and instrumentation, which had been missed by existing quality control processes. So, we’re eager to help more labs tackle their standardization challenges with the power of our AI-driven technology.”

Learn more about Qualitopix.

About Visiopharm

Visiopharm® is a world leader in AI-driven precision pathology software. Their pioneering image analysis tools support thousands of scientists, pathologists, and image analysis experts in academic institutions, biopharmaceutical industry, and diagnostic centers. AI-based image analysis and tissue mining tools support research and drug development research worldwide, while CE-IVD APPs support primary diagnostics. With the most advanced and sophisticated artificial intelligence and deep learning, Visiopharm delivers tissue data mining tools, precision results, and workflows.

Visiopharm was founded in 2002 and is privately owned. The company operates internationally with over 900 licenses and countless users in more than 40 countries. The company headquarters are in Denmark’s Medicon Valley, with offices in Sweden, England, Germany, Netherlands and United States.

SOURCE: Visiopharm