Digital pathology software to automate analysis of cancer morphology for better patient stratification models and personalized medicine

Definiens, the number one Health Image Intelligence company, recently announced that the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit is using Definiens image analysis software in a new approach to cancer diagnosis and biomarker development. The Karmanos Cancer Institute is applying Definiens Tissue Studio 2.0, the newest version of the company's leading image analysis software for digital pathology, to automate tissue section and microarray analysis. Led by Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, the research team will replace tedious manual analysis processes with automated image analysis to more reliably develop biomarkers that facilitate patient stratification models for personalized medicine applications.

"Automating image analysis in our research will significantly enhance our ability to apply knowledge of cancer characteristics to patient diagnosis and treaent," said Dr. Bepler,. "We are using Definiens Tissue Studio to analyze cancer biomarkers on the cellular and sub-cellular levels. The software will help us classify tumors and generate better prognostic and predictive data. We expect this will improve our ability to stratify patients for the most promising clinical approach."

The Karmanos Cancer Institute, based in midtown Detroit, is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for approximately 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216M, and conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, the Karmanos Cancer Institute is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commient of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 faculty members, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate cancer.

Researchers at the Karmanos Cancer Institute aim to improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis by automating image analysis of tissue sections stained for morphology and biomarker expression, as well as tissue microarrays measuring clinically relevant biomarkers. Definiens Tissue Studio will enable Dr. Bepler's team to analyze cancers, including lung, breast and pancreatic cancer, on the cellular and sub-cellular level. Rapid and accurate quantification of cancer characteristics will enable the research team to translate knowledge to clinical applications.

"Definiens' image analysis software is uniquely suited to the translational medicine demands of the Karmanos Cancer Institute," said Thomas Colarusso, Vice President of North American Sales and Operations for Definiens. "Our digital pathology software will enable the Institute to automate biomarker analysis, providing quantitative data that can inform patient treaent decisions."

More information on Definiens image analysis software, including Definiens Tissue Studio 2.0, is available at http://www.tissuestudio.com. Definiens is exhibiting at Pathology Visions 2010 in San Diego, California, Oct 24-27, 2010.

About Definiens
Definiens is the number one Health Image Intelligence company for analyzing and interpreting images on every scale – from microscopic cell structures to full body scans. The Definiens Cognition Network Technology, developed by Nobel laureate Prof. Gerd Binnig and his team, is an advanced and robust context-based technology designed to fulfill the image analysis requirements of the Healthcare markets. It is modeled on the powerful human cognitive perception processes to extract intelligence from images.

Definiens supports biopharmaceutical companies, clinical service organizations, and academic research institutions by automating image analysis - from drug discovery to diagnostics. The company's image analysis software enables the interpretation of vast numbers of digital images accurately and consistently. Definiens software for digital pathology and radiology images reveals biologically relevant insights for the advancement of translational research and personalized medicine. Definiens provides organizations with faster image analysis results, allowing deeper insights enabling better business decisions. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and has offices throughout the United States. For more information, visit http://www.definiens.com.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for nearly 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216M, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commient of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. Karmanos is southeastern Michigan's most preferred hospital for cancer care according to annual surveys conducted by the National Research Corporation. For more information, visit http://www.karmanos.org.

SOURCE: Definiens