#USA #Breast Cancer #ScreenPoint Medical #Biomediq A/S #Nijmegen

ScreenPoint Medical Acquires Biomediq A/S

In a significant move to enhance its capabilities in breast cancer risk assessment, ScreenPoint Medical has officially acquired Biomediq A/S, a research-driven company specializing in quantitative imaging biomarkers. This acquisition is expected to merge the strengths of both companies, particularly in developing advanced technologies that can predict breast cancer risk more accurately and efficiently.

For over a decade, ScreenPoint Medical and Biomediq have collaborated closely while operating as separate entities. Their joint ventures in image-based risk assessment have laid the groundwork for this acquisition. With this strategic decision, ScreenPoint aims to bolster its industry-leading Breast AI platform, known as Transpara, by integrating Biomediq's innovative risk analysis technologies.

Biomediq’s technology focuses on automated, computer-based analysis of 2D and 3D mammograms, providing critical insights into the future risk of breast cancer. It utilizes the Mammographic Texture Risk biomarker, which assesses tissue heterogeneity—frequently referred to as mammographic texture. This feature is pivotal as it directly correlates with both short- and long-term cancer risk assessments.

A landmark study published in Radiology in 2023 highlighted the combined efficacy of Transpara’s detection capabilities with Biomediq's texture model, making a robust case for this merger. The research demonstrated that the combination of lesion detection, volumetric density, and quantitative texture analysis resulted in significantly improved risk prediction outcomes. Furthermore, the study indicated that enhancing imaging follow-ups for women identified as high risk by Transpara could effectively double the early detection rates of interval cancers.

Andreas D. Lauritzen, PhD, the lead author from the Radiology study, will transition to the ScreenPoint team to expedite the development and implementation of enhanced risk assessment features within Transpara.

Transpara, hailed as the most clinically validated Breast AI available, serves as a vital tool for radiologists, acting as an additional layer of scrutiny in cancer detection. The recent update, Transpara 2.1, incorporates further refinements based on user feedback and extensive training. This latest iteration is compatible with automated assessments of breast density—both BIRADS and volumetric—as well as offering robust options for comparing historical mammograms across a span of up to six years. This unprecedented temporal comparison capability is unique and sets Transpara apart in the market.

Professor Nico Karssemeijer, who co-founded ScreenPoint Medical, expressed excitement over the acquisition and its potential impact on breast cancer detection. He stated, "Risk-stratified screening has long been proposed to optimize screening for patients and better use resources. We are thrilled to integrate Biomediq’s technology into Transpara, further enhancing its performance for mammography-based breast cancer risk assessments."

Professor Mads Nielsen, co-founder of Biomediq, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the longstanding collaborative spirit between the two entities, which has remained anchored in a mutual mission to improve screening for women. Nielsen will maintain an advisory role within the enlarged ScreenPoint team.

Transpara boasts 35+ peer-reviewed publications, making it the only breast AI algorithm rigorously evaluated in large-scale, real-world screening scenarios. Studies have shown that using Transpara can help identify up to 45% of interval cancers earlier than conventional methods, simultaneously reducing the workload for radiologists.

In summary, the acquisition of Biomediq A/S is a transformative initiative for ScreenPoint Medical, promising to elevate breast cancer risk assessment via innovative AI technology. As this integration unfolds, both companies aim to advance the accuracy and consistency of breast cancer detection, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes.