Author: Visiopharm

UK Government Invests in Visiopharm, Increasing Access to Ground-Breaking Digital Pathology in the NHS

The Danish-based leader in augmented pathology solutions Visiopharm has secured a grant worth £250,000 from UK Research and Innovation to test its innovative solutions in partnership with the NHS.

The grant, offered by the UK Government’s innovations fund, was offered specifically to boost SMEs offering support to evaluate an innovative medical technology.

Visiopharm’s winning proposal outlined a project working with multiple NHS trusts across the UK, reviewing clinical procedures and expanding their technology by allowing access to clinically approved (CE IVD) or novel AI-powered algorithms. Each NHS trust has tailored the evaluation to fit their specific challenges and needs. Through their feedback, we will shape the future applications of these algorithms and ensure the highest standards in clinical relevance for the UK market. The project in addition to clinical evaluations will also contribute to the development of new CE IVD AI-powered algorithms.

Dr. Branko Perunovic, Consultant Histopathologist and Clinical Director of Laboratory Medicine at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, who is one of the selected NHS Trusts to be working on the project, said: “We are delighted to be named as one of the NHS Trusts across the country involved in this exciting project. Our state-of-the-art laboratory complex houses some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment in Europe, and we have already been pioneering the use of digital pathology systems to the benefit patients and hospitals across the region, so we are well placed to develop this technology which, once validated, could potentially be used to improve the speed and accuracy of cancer diagnosis and treatment.”

UKRI awarded the investment to Visiopharm and the NHS on the basis of their structured and ambitious approach, backed by their already-proven technology. Visiopharm already works with a select group of NHS trusts in the UK.

“We are very excited to have been awarded this grant,” said Martin Kristensson, Senior Vice President, Sales Europe at Visiopharm, who led the project bid. “Working with the NHS provides great benefits to all of us: they have the data and know-how while we have technology solutions that can lead to the best results. This investment gives us the chance to help the NHS test novel technology risk-free, and an opportunity to develop our products in NHS working conditions.”

Reviewing the bid, the assessors noted:
“The team is well versed in the technology, having already established a foothold in other territories, and the level of co-operation with clinical NHS personnel on the project will be significant.”

The UKRI award was offered as a half-funded project, with half the fund supported by the bidder. A large percentage of the funding received is going back to the NHS to develop the project.

The project started July 1, 2019, and will run for ten months, culminating in a detailed report.

Danish-based leader in augmented pathology solutions Visiopharm has opened a new subsidiary in Germany to serve as the company’s headquarters in the DACH region.

The German office allows Visiopharm to meet its customers’ needs in an agile fashion and will be focused on driving business in the pharmaceutical and academic research fields, while further translating it into the healthcare and diagnostics sphere. 

Initially, the subsidiary will be staffed by three very experienced Digital Pathology veterans with experiences that span both research and diagnostics markets. Further growth of the subsidiary is expected by the fall of 2019.

“The DACH region has more segregated entities due to the federal healthcare system,” said Michael Grunkin Ph.D., CEO, and co-founder of Visiopharm. “Our German office will be focused on developing our capabilities to provide an enhanced service for them in particular, as we continue to demonstrate the value of digital pathology in academic research, healthcare and pharmaceutical development.”

Kai Remmert, DACH Sales Manager, will be heading up the office and brings a wealth of Digital Pathology sales expertise.

“I am delighted to join the team and lead the business from the new German office,” he said. “With my experience in the medical imaging industry, I see it a key strategic opportunity to drive the adoption of digital pathology through the region and achieve better patient outcomes as a result.”

The German office is in addition to Visiopharm’s head office in Medicon Valley, Copenhagen, and its further branch offices in the UK and Colorado, USA.

Following a €13.3 million investment in 2018 to fuel its international growth, Visiopharm is growing rapidly in both revenue and size. With a headcount approaching 100 employees, Visiopharm is the largest quantitative digital pathology company in the world.

Do you want to know more – contact us

Visiopharm is delighted to announce Adrian Arechiga Ph.D. as its new Chief Marketing Officer. Highly experienced as a Senior Marketing Director, Adrian has an impressive track record of working internationally in the biopharma, oncology diagnostics, and life science industries.

Adrian will be instrumental in leading Visiopharm’s marketing through its expansion following significant investment. He will be based in Visiopharm’s new office in Germany. 

“We are delighted to welcome such a talented and experienced Chief Marketing Officer to the company at this phase in our growth,” said Michael Grunkin Ph.D., CEO, and co-founder of Visiopharm. “Tissue image analysis is becoming increasingly important in drug-diagnostic co-development, and cancer diagnostics. With his strong scientific background, and practical experience in this field, Adrian is ideally positioned to communicate the benefits of this emerging and rapidly evolving technology, in a clear, concise and scientifically credible way, that has practical utility to scientists and pathologists.”

Adrian joins Visiopharm from Definiens, where he was the Senior Director of Global Brand and Product Marketing. He has over ten years’ experience working in the biotechnology, oncology diagnostics, and pharmaceutical industries, and holds a doctorate in Molecular Immunology and an MBA in Sustainable Management.

His role will initially be focused on strengthening the brand narrative and communicating digital pathology’s potential applications across tissue-diagnostics through a new content platform.
“I am excited to join Visiopharm, with a strong pipeline of new products and technologies, it Is a great time to join the team and communicate the value that Visiopharm delivers,” he said. “I look forward to developing our marketing capabilities and brand as we expand presence and market share globally.”

Following a €13.3 million investment in 2018 to fuel its international growth, Visiopharm is growing rapidly in both revenue and size. With a headcount approaching 100 employees, Visiopharm is the largest quantitative digital pathology company in the world.

Do you want to know more – contact us

OracleBio Limited is pleased to announce the integration of Visiopharm’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) deep learning and phenotyping multiplexing modules into its existing Oncotopix® image analysis platform.

The Oncotopix® AI deep learning module allows OracleBio to access a range of the most up-to-date deep convolution neural networks for a more precise and robust classification of objects or regions of interest in tissue-based images. For example, these can include cell types, tumour regions, glomeruli, brain regions or any unique object or region.

Visiopharm’s Multiplex Phenotyping module streamlines and automates the analysis workflow of high multiplex image data, including image mass cytometry (IMC) multi-stack images. It offers a simultaneous analysis workflow of up to 255 channels, enabling tissue and cell segmentation for cell-based phenotyping.

The addition of Visiopharm’s AI deep learning and Multiplex Phenotyping modules will expand OracleBio’s capabilities and enable the company to:

• Address more challenging and complex Image Analysis studies
• Improve the accuracy and reproducibility of quantitative outputs
• Improve computational efficiency and cut down the turnaround time
• Automate the phenotyping and interpretation of high multiplex images
• Integrate visualization tools to enable deep phenotypic investigation

“OracleBio strives to provide services at the forefront of Digital Pathology and this is signified by our continual efforts to adopt the latest innovations in the field” commented Lorcan Sherry, Chief Scientific Officer of OracleBio. “We have identified Visiopharm’s AI deep learning and phenotyping multiplexing modules as key technologies that will allow us to enhance image analysis capabilities, diversify the range of quantitative outputs, and ultimately improve study outcomes for our clients. Visiopharm is an industry leader in the Digital Pathology space and we are pleased to be extending our long-standing partnership with them.”

“We are very excited to partner with OracleBio, an innovative CRO that delivers superb digital analysis services” commented Adrian Arechiga, Chief Marketing Officer at Visiopharm. “This collaboration allows us to deliver unique digital pathology solutions to support pre-clinical and clinical research. Together, we will provide valuable insights to support outcomes and streamline decision making.”

Visiopharm Welcomes Louise Armstrong as Chief Commercial Officer 

Visiopharm is delighted to announce Louise Armstrong Ph.D. as its new Chief Commercial Officer. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Louise is highly experienced as a Life Science Commercial Director and has an impressive track record in business development in international markets.

Based in London, Louise brings extensive global sales skills with her and will be instrumental in driving Visiopharm’s rapid expansion following significant investment.

“Louise is a veteran of digital pathology, both within research, and on the commercial side, and brings a wealth of accomplishments with her to the Chief Commercial Officer role,” said Michael Grunkin Ph.D., CEO, and co-founder of Visiopharm. “She takes a consultative approach to sales – helping customers find the best possible solution for them – a value that makes her exceptionally well-aligned with the culture at Visiopharm.” 

Louise joins Visiopharm from Random 42, where she developed a commercial strategy for the private equity-backed medical animations agency and has previously driven global growth at Andor Technology as Global Sales Director. In her new role, she will be responsible for the company’s sales team worldwide.

“It’s an exciting time to join Visiopharm,” she said. “With two decades of experience identifying and driving growth opportunities, this is an unmissable opportunity for me to support the company as it continues to grow its presence – and get its message and category-leading products out around the world. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Following a €13.3 million investment in 2018 to fuel its international growth, Visiopharm is growing rapidly in both revenue and size. With a headcount approaching 100 employees, Visiopharm is the largest quantitative digital pathology software company in the world.

Do you want to know more – contact us

Visiopharm Earns Acclaim from Frost & Sullivan for Transforming Anatomic Pathology with its Cross-platform Software Solutions

Visiopharm’s quantitative image analysis software suite uniquely offers a secure, scalable, agnostic platform that helps pathologists and researchers alike address the quality and cost challenges in drug discovery and cancer diagnostics

Based on its recent analysis of the global digital pathology software solutions market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Denmark-headquartered Visiopharm A/S with the 2019 Global Company of the Year Award. The company has accelerated anatomic pathology’s digital transformation with its end-to-end digital pathology software solutions, Qualitopix™, and Oncotopix®. The platforms leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to integrate digitized, high-throughput pathology lab workflows for improved diagnostic accuracy, increased productivity, and cost savings.

“Visiopharm uncovered and quantified two particularly important error sources in the diagnostic workflow–histological staining and manual image reading and interpretation,” said Unmesh Lal, Program Manager at Frost & Sullivan. “In many countries, pathology labs using immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization stains rely on external quality assessment (EQA) programs to maintain staining quality. With Qualitopix™, Visiopharm became the first and only solution provider supporting EQA organizations with a software platform that allows them to improve the efficiency and scalability of their activities.”

Qualitopix™, a novel, patented platform technology, helps pathologists administrate quality runs and scalability through computer-assisted stain quality assessment. The digitized slides facilitate interactions with pathology labs, which, in turn, optimizes resource utilization. Moreover, the administration platform supports and facilitates protocol review with participating labs that fail the proficiency testing. The solution is rapidly gaining acceptance as the standardization and quality of staining with diagnostic tissue-biomarkers is central to achieving precision pathology and sustainable cancer healthcare.

Meanwhile, Oncotopix® addresses the critical pain point of significant inter- and intra-reader variability in diagnostic tissue pathology. It achieves this by combining image analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with workflows supporting the analysis of massive data sets, data management, reporting, connectivity to laboratory information management system and picture archiving and communication system, and compatibility with all image/slide formats.

“Its fully automated software suite offers reproducible, quantifiable, precise data, helping pathologists read and interpret regions inside and outside of the tumor as well as tumor heterogeneity. Currently, Visiopharm has more than 100 APPs published, providing full flexibility for biopharma and academic research,“ noted Lal. “The company’s strategically located subsidiaries in Sweden, the UK, the US, and re-sellers in Asia serve customers across Europe, North America, and Asia. With plans to expand its global distributor network, and wider integration with partners, Visiopharm is all set to capture a greater market share and entrench itself in the market.”

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents a Company of the Year award to the organization that demonstrates excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation in its field. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

Do you want to know more – contact us