Roche has entered an agreement with Ibex Medical Analytics, a provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-based cancer diagnostics. Under the agreement, the companies will jointly develop an AI-based digital pathology embedded image analysis workflow for pathologists to seamlessly access Ibex’s AI algorithms, insights, and decision support tools using NAVIFY Digital Pathology, the cloud version of Roche’s uPath enterprise software. Collaborations with AI companies like Ibex are made possible through Roche’s Digital Pathology Open Environment, which allows pathologists to securely access third-party AI-powered technology alongside Roche’s growing menu of AI-based image analysis tools, according to the company.
Ibex’s Galen platform was recently granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is CE marked in Europe for breast and prostate cancer detection in multiple workflows. Through the Roche-Ibex alliance, customers using Roche Digital Pathology will gain access to Ibex’s tools, such as algorithms that analyze prostate and breast biopsies, in addition to the AI tools already provided by Roche.
“With the addition of Ibex’s clinical-grade image analysis tools to our NAVIFY Digital Pathology menu, we can aid pathologists and providers in delivering value-based patient care by increasing their efficiency and accuracy for higher quality cancer diagnosis,” says Jill German, head of Roche Diagnostics Pathology Customer Area.
The clinical-grade AI algorithms and digital workflows included in this expanded menu of tools will enable pathologists to provide accurate, efficient, and timely diagnoses for their patients and support them in the detection and grading of cancer, identification of important non-cancerous features, case reporting, and more.
“Digital pathology provides the capability to introduce new, innovative ways for laboratories to improve quality and efficiency of cancer diagnosis. Together with Roche, we look forward to transforming pathology by delivering powerful AI-based tools to the fingertips of pathologists,” says Joseph Mossel, CEO and co-founder of Ibex Medical Analytics.
