X-ZELL launches new Imaging Technology unit

Singapore, August 2021 – Award-winning Singaporean start-up, X-ZELL, has announced the formation of a new, interdisciplinary Imaging Technology division.

The announcement comes on the back of a new collaboration agreement with Finnish Artificial Intelligence (AI) specialist, Aiforia Technologies, and is part of the ongoing digitisation of X-ZELL’s patented rare cell detection technology.

X-ZELL’s modular system can be seamlessly integrated into routine pathology and is capable of visualising ultra-rare, atypical cells in a small, 10mL blood sample.

Research has shown that these cells could help physicians diagnose clinically significant cancers at the earliest stages without putting patients at risk.

Led by X-ZELL Founder & CEO, Dr Sebastian Bhakdi, the new business unit will help streamline the analytics process by digitising the cell samples at record speed and automatically feeding them into the company’s AI analytics platform.

“In 2017 we developed a platform technology capable of detecting previously undetectable cells in a routine lab,” Dr Bhakdi commented.

“Since 2018 we have put it to the test across a series of clinical trials and proved that we can make a tremendous impact on diagnostic decision-making – albeit via manual analysis.

“To overcome that bottleneck and make the system globally scalable, we are now taking on the next phase in our evolution by investing into digitisation and AI-powered sample analytics.”

X-ZELL’s new Imaging Technology division will see software developers and data scientists collaborate with engineers and cytologists to manage the company’s AI development program and streamline the data transfer from lab to AI.

“Next to creating a unique, multi-layered deep learning platform, the team will be addressing the missing link between laboratory processes and AI analytics by developing X-ZELL’s own high-speed slide scanning system,” Bhakdi explained.

“The final product will be a fully integrated cell analytics platform that will support pathologists, healthcare providers and researchers by flagging atypical phenomena with very high confidence.”

According to Bhakdi, a working prototype is expected to be up and running before the end of 2021.

Contact:
Sebastian Grote
Head of Strategy, Marketing & Communications
sebastian.g@x-zell.com

About X-ZELL
Ranked among the top three most innovative health technology start-ups in the world, X-ZELL fuses next-generation cell detection technology with cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence to isolate and visualise ultra-rare cells in blood and frozen tissue. In 2017, the company made global headlines when it demonstrated the ability to routinely locate tumour-associated Circulating Endothelial Cells (tCEC) in small, 10mL blood samples. Widely considered one of the most promising biomarkers for the early detection of clinically significant cancers, tCEC had previously been classified as undetectable in clinical routine. From its headquarters in Singapore, X-ZELL is aiming to make affordable tCEC-based cancer screening accessible to patients around the globe.