Massachusetts General Hospital embarks on clinical analytical study using Philips' IntelliSite Solution to advance digital pathology adoption in the United States

AMSTERDAM, March 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) will serve as a key testing site for a multi-centered instrument precision study involving Philips' digital pathology whole slide imaging (WSI) IntelliSite Solution. The study is designed to show the reproducibility of the IntelliSite pathology solution in disease detection as part of the industry's efforts to obtain regulatory clearance of WSI for primary diagnostic use. If approved for diagnosis, in contrast to the industry's current analog process, soon pathologists could benefit from a digital system for their routine work.

The pathologist plays a critical role in the detection and diagnosis of a wide variety of diseases, including cancer. Most tissue-based diagnoses are rendered through analysis performed on a microscope using sections on glass slides. Once interpreted by a pathologist, they inform the final treatment pathway that has a significant impact on the patient and their families. In the process, providers often have to ship the glass slide samples for expert consults, running the risk for lost or damaged specimens and communication delays.

"With rising health care costs, we have a public responsibility to work effectively," said Jochen K. Lennerz, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator of the study. "Through the genomic revolution we have started to learn how to manage big data. Now there is a pressing need to gain access to and increase flexibility in how pathologists manage the massive amounts of imaging data we procure every day."

As workloads increase and pressures mount to improve the diagnostic process, the need to reinvent traditional pathology workflows to increase efficiencies and better manage massive amounts of data has put a spotlight on digital pathology solutions. These technologies have been developed to digitize and streamline pathology workflows and enhance multi-site collaboration with the ultimate goal to support pathways to improved diagnosis.

"Through this study we hope to provide evidence for regulatory purposes that this technology is valid and reliable for primary diagnostic use," added Veronica E. Klepeis, M.D., Ph.D., the key enrollment pathologist in the study.

As the personalized medicine and cancer moonshot movements are gaining visibility amongst the public, digital pathology's role in disease diagnostics should not be overlooked. Recent discussions with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have the potential to streamline the regulatory clearance pathway for digital pathology WSI moving forward.

"Digital pathology addresses many of the inherent delays present in traditional pathology workflows and supports workplace efficiencies that can be scaled within organizations to streamline processes and cut costs," said Russell Granzow, General Manager of Philips Digital Pathology Solutions. "Philips is excited about the clinical study MGH is conducting to investigate the reproducibility of digital pathology system in the clinical diagnostic setting."

To learn more about Philips' innovation in digital pathology, visit Philips' Digital Pathology Solutions website and follow @Philips.

For further information, please contact:

Steve Klink
Philips Group Communications
Tel.: +31 6 1088 8824
E-mail: [email protected]

Hans Driessen
Philips Digital Pathology Solutions
Tel.: +31 6 10610417
E-mail: [email protected]

About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. The company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips' wholly owned subsidiary Philips Lighting is the global leader in lighting products, systems and services. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2015 sales of EUR 24.2 billion and employs approximately 104,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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SOURCE Royal Philips