Thursday, May 02, 2024
Quest Diagnostics and PathAI have announced a comprehensive collaboration aimed at advancing the integration of digital and AI pathology innovations. The collaboration seeks to enhance the quality, efficiency, and speed of diagnosing cancer and other diseases.
As per the definitive agreement, Quest will acquire select assets of PathAI Diagnostics, including its anatomic and digital pathology laboratory services. The state-of-the-art digitized laboratory in Memphis, Tennessee, currently operated by PathAI Diagnostics, will transition to become Quest's AI and digital R&D and solutions center.
This facility will support Quest's specialty pathology businesses, AmeriPath and Dermpath Diagnostics. PathAI will maintain its focus on providing end-to-end clinical trial services for biopharmaceutical clients through its separate biopharma lab.
Furthermore, Quest will license PathAI's AISight™ digital pathology image management system to bolster its pathology laboratories and customer sites across the United States.
The collaboration may involve Quest contributing to PathAI's algorithm product development, leveraging its extensive pathology leadership. Quest will also serve as a preferred provider for PathAI's biopharmaceutical clinical laboratory services.
The collaboration comes at a critical time, with cancer diagnoses expected to surpass 2 million new cases in the United States in 2024 alone, according to the American Cancer Society. Globally, the burden of cancer is projected to increase significantly by 2040.
Digital pathology offers several advantages, including the ability to securely share digital images of tissue samples electronically, thereby reducing transportation needs and expediting testing and results reporting. Moreover, it facilitates access to expert consultations in areas where pathologists are scarce, such as rural regions.
AI enhances digital pathology by identifying patterns indicative of cancer or other diseases, allowing pathologists to focus on areas of concern for more accurate diagnoses. Quest's extensive experience in deploying AI and automation technologies across various laboratory functions positions it well to leverage these advancements in pathology.
Quest Diagnostics and PathAI represents a significant step forward in cancer diagnostics and pathology, with the potential to improve patient outcomes and streamline healthcare processes.
Source: prnewswire.com
