Feedback plc (AIM: FDBK), the medical imaging software company, has told DirectorsTalk that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Alliance Medical Group with the intention of integrating Feedback’s TexRAD texture analysis software into Alliance’s lung cancer imaging service. Although the technical discussions are at a very early stage, this is considered by Feedback to be potentially of great significance as regards the future commercialization of TexRAD software. Alliance and Feedback plan to undertake a multi-centre imaging research study to assess the use of TexRAD in lung cancer, with the eventual aim of gaining National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (“NICE”) approval for TexRAD to be used in the Lung Cancer pathway. An update on the progress of the technical discussions will be provided with Feedback’s interim results announcement in February 2016.
In January 2015, NHS England selected a collaborative network led by Alliance to provide PET-CT scanning services across 30 locations in England following a competitive tender process. By December 2015 Alliance and its partners in the network will be providing a substantial amount of PET-CT imaging service in England. Published research studies have suggested that assessing patients already diagnosed with lung cancer by using TexRAD texture analysis software applied on the staging PET-CT imaging examination could potentially be a major application for TexRAD and provide valuable information to clinicians. In April 2015, Feedback announced a clinical adoption study was being commenced to assess the potential for TexRAD’s use in a multi-disciplinary team setting specifically focused on non-small cell lung cancer. This was followed in October 2015 by the announcement that the research arm of NHS England had ‘alerted’ on the potential application of TexRAD in assessing patients with lung cancer.
Dr. Balaji Ganeshan, CEO of TexRAD Ltd and Director of New Business at Feedback Plc commented: “We are delighted to be working with Alliance who are Europe’s leading independent provider of imaging services. The planned research study in lung cancer will be an important step towards the future commercialization of TexRAD.”
Charles Niehaus, Group CMO, COO, Alliance Medical Group commented: “Alliance and clinicians of the Collaborative Network are excited to be working with Feedback Plc to integrate the TexRAD software within Alliance’s lung cancer service across the imaging network. We anticipate this will enhance lung cancer diagnosis and prognosis within the NHS leading to improved patient management and valuable information for both Alliance and Feedback.”
