From DigitalPathologyInsigts.com:

HAYWARD, Calif. and MUNICH, March 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Advanced Cell Diagnostics (ACD), a technological leader in molecular pathology, and Definiens, a leading provider for biomedical image and data analysis, announce today a strategic partnership to develop image analysis applications that will enable researchers to accurately quantify specific RNA molecules within individual cells in routine clinical specimen. The partnership will build on ACD’s RNAscope platform and add new specialized image analysis solutions that will automatically process and analyze images from RNAscope assays. The software system will significantly enhance the utility of RNAscope-based diagnostic tests for personalized medicine. ACD will demonstrate the  technology at booth #413 of the 2011 AACR conference in Orlando, FL on April 3 – 6.

ACD’s RNAscope is a novel and proprietary RNA in situ hybridization (ISH) method that can detect and quantify virtually any expressed gene at single molecule sensitivity in individual cells in all major biological specimen types, including cell lines, PBMC and FFPE tissue sections. As the most clinically robust RNA ISH assay available, RNAscope enables the fastest path from genomic discovery to validated biomarkers and clinical diagnostic tests.

Under the agreement, Definiens will develop a unique and proprietary image analysis application for ACD that provides users with powerful analysis capabilities. Definiens software, based on its Definiens XD framework, offers users with accurate, robust and scalable image analysis solutions for a wide range of histology analysis.

“The partnership between Advanced Cell Diagnostics and Definiens will combine two powerful technologies in the promising field of RNA biomarker identification and development,” said Thomas Heydler, CEO of Definiens. “With our image intelligence technology’s superior accuracy and multiplexing capabilities, Definiens is uniquely suited to help Advanced Cell Diagnostics create powerful RNA assays that can further support personalized medicine initiatives around the world.”

“This advanced image analysis solution will bring objective and accurate quantification to RNAscope and enable a new generation of diagnostic applications such as circulating tumor cell detection and molecular analysis. For the first time, gene expression can be measured quantitatively at single cell resolution and interpreted by pathologists within histopathological context,” said Dr. Yuling Luo, Founder, President and CEO of ACD.

About Advanced Cell Diagnostics (http://www.acdbio.com)

Advanced Cell Diagnostics, Inc. (ACD) is a leader in the emerging field of molecular pathology, developing cell- and tissue-based diagnostic tests for personalized medicine. The company’s products and services are based on its proprietary RNAscope® technology, the first multiplex fluorescent and chromogenic in situ hybridization platform capable of detecting and quantifying RNA biomarkers in situ at single molecule sensitivity. ACD partners with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to validate biomarkers for targeted therapeutic development in cancer and other diseases. These partnerships provide the foundation for ACD to develop companion diagnostic tests in conjunction with partners’ targeted therapeutics. ACD also pursues internal programs to develop proprietary diagnostic tests in cancer management.

About Definiens

Definiens is a leading Health Image Intelligence™ company that develops software solutions for biomedical image analysis, data mining and clinical decision support. The company’s software analyzes images from cell-based assays, whole tissue slides and full body scans and allows users to correlate this information with data derived from other sources, supporting better decisions in research, diagnostics and therapy. By automating analysis workflows and generating new knowledge, Definiens provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, research institutions, clinical service organizations and medical professionals with deeper insights, faster results and better decision support. Harnessing the power of image intelligence, Definiens supports personalized medicine and aims to significantly improve the quality of patients’ lives.

Definiens is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and has offices throughout the United States. Further information is available at http://www.definiens.com.

Definiens – from images to clinical decisions.