Visiopharm and Minerva Imaging have announced a collaboration on development of sophisticated AI-based image analysis applications in histology. Visiopharm’s AI-driven Oncotopix® platform has the potential to play a crucial role in developing powerful new predictive assays. The main focus within Minerva Imaging will be on targeted radionuclide therapy and immuno-oncology, enabling to gauge the effectiveness of interventions and making data-driven decisions.

Targeted radionuclide therapy

Targeted radionuclide therapy is a form of precision medicine where a radioactive substance is attached to a targeting moiety. It is administered through the body to specifically target cancer cells and irradiate them. The efficacy of these treatments can be determined by the level of radio-induced DNA damage that it causes. In one of the first cooperative projects Minerva and Visiopharm will develop quantitative AI-based image analysis to assess this level of DNA damage.

Carsten H. Nielsen, CEO and co-founder of Minerva Imaging, said:

“Targeted radionuclide therapy has gained a lot of momentum in recent years in the oncology area. We are convinced that the development of powerful and highly accurate AI-based image analysis for determining the level of DNA damage and other aspects of therapeutic efficacy will be very valuable. We are committed to bringing this and a number of other AI-based applications to the market impacting the advancement of new, improved, and lifesaving drugs for seriously ill cancer patients.”

Michael Grunkin, co-founder and CEO of Visiopharm, said:

“We are excited to establish this strategic collaboration with Minerva to accelerate the development of new AI-based histology analysis in oncology. This collaboration will allow us to support an increasingly important precision medicine agenda.”

AI-driven image analysis

AI-driven precision pathology has the potential to play a crucial role in developing powerful new predictive assays. It provides a powerful tool for discovery of new biomarkers through the analysis of multiplexed image data, developing investigational devices for clinical trials, and developing scoring principles for novel tissue biomarkers. Moreover, it can aid in the development of image analysis for standardized and automated reading of increasingly complex biomarkers.

The Minerva-Visiopharm partnership will speed up the development of a toolbox for AI-driven precision pathology, enabling Pharma to accelerate clinical development by improving quantitative and qualitative assessments in hard-to-treat cancers.

About Minerva Imaging

Minerva Imaging is a scientifically driven CRO founded in 2011, and currently counting over 130 employees. The company focuses on the use of advanced models and molecular imaging for translational research and drug development. Minerva Imaging engages with its clients to understand their scientific questions and discuss how its methods and capabilities can provide answers. Minerva worked with over 100 global pharma and biotech companies.

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About Visiopharm

Visiopharm® is a leading provider of AI-driven precision pathology software for research and diagnostics. In research, it is a technology leader providing tools that help scientists, pathologists, and image analysis experts produce accurate data for all types of tissue-based research. In diagnostics, it is a leader within clinical applications, with no less than eight diagnostic algorithms cleared under IVDR for EU and UK customers. These applications provide diagnostic decision support and can be easily activated and integrated into existing lab workflows.

Founded in 2002, Visiopharm is privately owned and operates internationally with over 750 customer accounts in more than 40 countries. The company’s headquarters are located in Denmark’s Medicon Valley, with offices in Sweden, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States, and local representation in France and China.

Media enquiries

Eske Rygaard-Hjalsted
Senior Business Developer
erh@minervaimaging.com
+45 20 30 22 36

Johanne Louise Brændgaard
Chief Marketing Officer
jlb@visiopharm.com

Visiopharm, a global leader in AI-driven precision pathology software, has joined forces with Grundium, a renowned provider of high-quality imaging solutions for digital pathology, to expand the availability of accessible digital pathology solutions for clinics and laboratories worldwide. Through this partnership, Visiopharm will offer Grundium’s Ocus® scanners alongside its Qualitopix™ solution, enabling labs to automatically upload images for processing. Qualitopix empowers labs to enhance their staining quality and standardization by monitoring staining consistency.

Grundium’s Ocus scanners are well-known for their exceptional image quality, user-friendly design, and compact footprint. Seamlessly integrating with computational pathology applications, these scanners provide an affordable option for accelerating the adoption of pathology AI applications. With a web-based user interface and cloud connectivity, the Ocus scanner portfolio stands out as practical imaging instruments for digital pathology.

Qualitopix combines powerful AI technology with control materials, enabling labs to continuously monitor and document staining consistency over time. By utilising standardized and validated control materials, labs can obtain reliable and actionable insights that help identify staining performance variations. One of the key advantages of Qualitopix is its simplicity, speed, and cost-effectiveness. As a web-based solution, labs can seamlessly incorporate it into their existing workflows, unlocking the benefits of digital pathology without significant implementation efforts. The integration of Grundium’s Ocus scanners enhances the automation of Visiopharm’s Qualitopix™ solution by facilitating the automatic upload of images.

Martin Kristensson, Senior Vice President, Clinical Commercial Strategy at Visiopharm, said:

At Visiopharm, we are constantly seeking ways to help pathology labs standardize their work. Our partnership with Grundium and the integration of the Ocus scanner with our Qualitopix solution offer a powerful combination of high-quality imaging and staining monitoring, providing pathology labs with the necessary tools to gain insights into their daily performance. We are excited to introduce these innovative digital pathology solutions to more clinics and labs worldwide, aiming to make a positive impact on standardization.

Davide D’Incau, Grundium Sales Director, said:  “Breakthroughs in AI and computational pathology will significantly impact the field of pathology. Grundium is dedicated to making these innovations widely accessible to clinicians and labs by providing the most practical imaging instruments for digital pathology in the market. We are thrilled to include the Ocus® scanners as part of Visiopharm’s solutions, starting with Qualitopix.”

About Visiopharm

Visiopharm® is a leading provider of AI-driven precision pathology software for research and diagnostics. In research, it is a technology leader providing tools that help scientists, pathologists, and image analysis experts produce accurate data for all types of tissue-based research. In diagnostics, it is a leader within clinical applications, with no less than eight diagnostic algorithms cleared under IVDR for EU customers. These applications provide diagnostic decision support and and can be easily activated and integrated into existing lab workflows.

Founded in 2002, Visiopharm is privately owned and operates internationally with over 750 customer accounts in more than 40 countries. The company’s headquarters are located in Denmark’s Medicon Valley, with offices in Sweden, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States, and local representation in France and China.

About Grundium

A global leader in advanced imaging technology, Grundium makes digital pathology and best professional diagnosis available for all life – whether human, animal, plant or other. This is achieved by doing something that nobody else can: applying state-of-the-art mobile technology in digital pathology. Established in 2015 by ex-Nokia engineers, the Tampere-based company is democratizing digital pathology with the Ocus® microscope scanners. The cutting-edge imaging solutions are based on over 20 years of experience in optics, sensors and beautiful high-precision devices. Grundium serves various industries and businesses enhancing quality and processes, protecting human life and safeguarding a clean environment.

Contact: 

Johanne Louise Brændgaard
Chief Marketing Officer
jlb@visiopharm.com