Toronto — GE has announced an agreement to establish its first Global Pathology Imaging Center of Excellence in Toronto, Ontario. GE and its digital pathology joint venture, Omnyx, will invest $7.75 million along with a $2.25-million grant from the Health Technology Commercialization Program created by Health Technology Exchange (HTX) and funded by the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation. Planned collaborative research and development partnerships will bring an additional $7.2M, for a total investment of $17.2 million over the next 3 years.
The January 27 announcement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) GE signed with the Ontario government in September 2009 to partner and invest long-term within the province. The Center’s creation will drive research and development, and reportedly create 15 new innovation-related jobs and facilitate global collaboration.
“Today’s announcement is an excellent example of how business and government can partner to develop innovative technologies that address Ontario healthcare challenges while having applicability to patient care globally," said Elyse Allan, president and CEO, GE Canada.
“The Center of Excellence is expected to create best practices and develop digital technologies to address critical issues including access to pathologists regardless of where a patient or specialist is located, confidence in pathology services, improved turnaround times and greater collaboration among specialists,” said Peter Robertson, vice president and general manager of GE Healthcare, Canada.
GE’s breakthrough technology extends beyond slide digitization to enable pathology departments to improve the efficiency of the entire pathology process including better communication and collaboration, which could help enhance the quality of patient care. The new center is scheduled to open in spring 2011.
SOURCE: GE
