WSK Medical (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), a leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) software solutions provider for oncology care, and IMP Diagnostics (Porto, Portugal), a private molecular and anatomical pathology laboratory, are proud to announce that they have been awarded a prestigious €1,2 million Eurostars grant to support their joint project. The project aims to develop a cutting-edge AI solution for the automated analysis of the tumour-stroma ratio on colorectal cancer whole slide images.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide, emphasizing the critical need for advanced diagnostic tools. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), CRC is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer type, and the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide[1]. The tumour-stroma ratio (TSR) is a histology parameter used to evaluate the proportion of stromal tissue (a type of connective tissue) relative to the tumour tissue within a cancerous lesion. This indicator has demonstrated significant prognostic value in patients with CRC and it may support decision-making in the selection of appropriate treatments for these patients[2].
Currently, the TSR is scored by visual estimation by a pathologist. However, this has significant inter-observer variability. Furthermore, the manual analysis of slides is a dulling, time-consuming task. Combined with a global shortage of pathologists [3], this results in a high workload amongst pathologists, which negatively impacts the quality and cost-effectiveness of oncology care. Therefore, there is a clear demand for a more efficient, and more consistent analysis of the TSR in cancer biopsies.
“We are thrilled to receive the Eurostars grant for this transformative project,” said Marius Wellenstein, CEO of WSK Medical. “Our partnership with IMP Diagnostics aligns perfectly with our mission to advance medical technology and improve patient care. By harnessing the power of AI, we aim to revolutionize the way colorectal cancer is diagnosed and treated. By doing this with a strong partner like IMP Diagnostics, we create the perfect co-development of medical AI solutions between physicians and data scientists to maximize the impact and quality.”
IMP Diagnostics’ CEO, Isabel Macedo Pinto, added, “We are excited to collaborate with WSK Medical on this project. While AI-based tools are advanced and widespread in specialties like Radiology, Anatomical Pathology lags behind. Our mission is to innovate by developing AI tools that enhance pathologists’ diagnostic capabilities and improve patient care.”
WSK Medical and IMP Diagnostics have partnered to address this need by leveraging their combined expertise in medical technology and anatomical pathology. The collaborative project will use state-of-the-art AI algorithms to develop an automated system capable of delivering precise TSR evaluation in CRC, with the possibility to further utilize this technology on other cancer types. This innovative solution aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy, reduce workload for pathologists, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
The Eurostars program, a joint initiative between EUREKA and the European Commission, supports international collaborative projects led by research and development-performing small and medium-sized enterprises. This grant will provide WSK Medical and IMP Diagnostics with the necessary resources to expedite the development and commercialization of their AI-driven tumour-stroma ratio analysis system.
Upon successful development, the AI solution will undergo rigorous validation studies to ensure its clinical applicability and accuracy. After successful validation, the automated AI TSR solution will be submitted for the IVDR (In-Vitro Device Regulation).
About WSK Medical WSK Medical develops Artificial Intelligence software solutions for the detection and classification of cancer. Our aim is to bring you the most advanced Artificial Intelligence technologies to assist Clinicians and Doctors. We do this by working in partnership, to develop sophisticated AI systems. For more information about our AI solutions, please contact us.
About IMP Diagnostics IMP Diagnostics is at the forefront of diagnostic in molecular and anatomical pathology, offering state-of-the-art solutions for accurate and timely disease detection. Committed to excellence in patient care, IMP Diagnostics combines expertise in imaging technology with a passion for innovation. For more information about our mission and services, please contact us.
About Eurostars Eurostars is a funding program that supports innovative R&D projects led by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 framework program and EUREKA member countries, fostering international collaboration and technological advancement.
[1] https://www.iarc.who.int/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11033069/
[3] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364928340_Evaluation_of_the_global_supply_of_pathologists