Medical device company Imidex has partnered with precision genomics company Orbit Genomics to assess lung cancer detection technologies in early stages.
Imidex specialises in using artificial intelligence (AI) for lung nodule and mass detection.
Its flagship VisiRad XR computer aided detection device received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in August last year for the detection of lung nodules in chest X-rays (CXRs).
VisiRad XR showed 83% sensitivity in detecting lung nodules as small as 6mm in CXRs in a retrospective standalone study.
The collaboration will combine VisiRad XR with Orbit Genomics’ OrbiSeq technology platform to increase early detection rates and improve survival chances of lung cancer patients.
It will also help combat other complex diseases and save lives through early detection and targeted intervention.
Last month, the medical device company partnered with Spesana, a personalised medicine technology firm, to improve lung cancer detection and patient care.
Imidex CEO Wes Bolsen said: “Imidex’s technology is one of the only FDA 510(k) cleared devices capable of screening broad populations and incidentally detecting lung nodules and masses from chest x-rays.
“This positions us as the front-end solution to identify high-risk populations for further evaluation at the lowest cost.”
The OrbiSeq technology platform offers a broad range of applications beyond cancer detection, including heart disease and neurological disorders.
By utilising AI to analyse rapidly mutating repetitive DNA, OrbiSeq identifies key regions of interest that reflect overall genome stability. The platform is also said to be ideal for studying age-related diseases and conditions.
In addition, OrbiSeq assesses regions for ethnicity and gender bias, ensuring accessibility for diverse populations.
Orbit Genomics has demonstrated its capability to detect diseases early and predict drug efficacy, making the technology important for personalised medicine.
Orbit Genomics president and CEO Dede Willis said: “We are preparing to start clinical trials for our first product, OrbiSeq-L, for diagnosing lung cancer in patients with indeterminate pulmonary nodules found through low-dose CT.
“Imidex’s technology is the top of the lung cancer identification funnel, utilising chest x-rays rather than CT scans to detect potential cancer patients who might otherwise go undiagnosed.”
