Kromek wins US$4m contract to develop advanced breast cancer
diagnosis system
21 Jan 2011
Newcastle-based Kromek has secured a four-year contract with
the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMASS), to develop an
advanced system for breast cancer detection and diagnosis.
The contract, which has been funded via US$4m from the US
National Institutes for Health, represents one of very few
scientific programmes, globally, with the potential to dramatically
improve the way in which breast cancer is detected and subsequently
treated.
Although x-ray mammography has saved many lives and is considered
the imaging mode of choice for early detection of breast cancer, one
of its limitations is that the recorded image represents a
three-dimensional (3D) object in a two-dimensional (2D) plane,
meaning varied tissue structures, e.g. normal breast tissue versus
tumour tissue, can be difficult to distinguish.
Kromek and NOVA, a California-based company Kromek acquired last
year, possess a unique technological answer to the challenge of
achieving better resolutions of breast tissue, without increasing
doses of radiation for patients.
Chief Executive Arnab Basu said: “We are extremely excited by
this contract's potential to significantly advance clinical
diagnostics, in the field of breast cancer detection, and
potentially way beyond. The programme is at an early stage, but to
be working with UMASS on behalf of the NIH is proof of the unique
technological advantages Kromek and NOVA offer, and the contribution
we can make to improved detection systems in the medical field.”
Dr. Stephen Glick, Professor of Radiology at UMASS, commented:
“UMASS is one of the world’s few research groups investigating the
use of X-ray CT imagers for use in breast cancer detection and
diagnosis. It was therefore essential that we selected an innovative
and cutting-edge partner to join the programme.
“The modality we are using, which combines photon counting and
cone-beam CT imaging, holds unique promise for the medical imaging
market. We are looking forward to working together with Kromek and
NOVA towards a solution that could change the way breast cancer
detection is carried out for many years to come.”
KromekThe contract lends further weight to our presence in the
medical imaging market, following the announcement earlier this
month about our work with Siemens on CT imaging development in
Germany and the US. The market for medical imaging is expected to
reach $6.6bn by 2014.