Merck and Quibim partner for next generation of imaging-based diagnostics
The two companies aim to develop the next wave of imaging-based diagnostics for precision medicine.
Merck is a leading science and technology company that develops next-generation precision medicine technology targeting a wide range of cancers.
The two companies are exploring how to harness the potential of biomarkers and radiomics to predict a cancer patient’s response to immunotherapy and anticipate cancer patient outcomes.
Predicting cancer responses
Quibim has years of experience in using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop predictive and prognostic models able to enhance patient stratification and contextualize potential benefits of novel therapies at a patient-, dose- and/or treatment level.
Merck KGaA says it is looking to integrate these models as it continues to advance data-driven decision-making within its global drug development and commercialization strategies.
The collaboration should hopefully enhance the efficiency of clinical development for cancer medicine which is a critical and global challenge. Unfortunately, the need to tackle the challenge has become more urgent due to the increasing number of cancer patients in need of personalized treatment.
30 million new cases of cancer
According to the Global Cancer Observatory, there will be an estimated 30 million new cases of cancer worldwide each year by 2040, up from 19 million in 2020. To face this, Quibim and Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany’s research will be laser-focused on finding technological solutions able to reduce costs and timelines for pharmaceutical development while also improving success rates.
Angel Alberich-Bayarri, co-founder and CEO of Quibim, said of the partnership: "Our partnership with Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany is poised to be a game-changer in the field of oncology by applying our cutting-edge imaging-based methodologies.
New era in precision medicine
“We're on a mission to optimize each phase of clinical development and chart a course towards a new era in precision medicine, where data-driven insights enhance patient care and deliver more efficient, effective, and tailored treatments."
Quibim was born from the ambition of turning imaging into a catalyst for precision health. The company says it leads the forefront of imaging biomarkers research in life sciences, ‘pioneering the development of advanced algorithms that transform imaging data into actionable predictions in oncology, immunology and neurology’.
The company uses the capabilities of MRI, CT, and PET imaging to create regulatory-cleared medical devices that are seamlessly integrated into the workflows of healthcare providers worldwide.
