Bracco Imaging, a global leader in diagnostic imaging, announced on March 3 a strategic partnership with R.A.W. s.r.l., an Italian company focused on augmented reality guidance technology in interventional oncology procedures, to expand its portfolio of solutions for interventional oncology.
One of the key challenges clinicians have to face during interventional procedures is the precise introduction of a probe into a deep target within the body that is not visible. Clinical efforts in this field have been concentrated towards developing higher resolution images, better navigation and image fusion tools.
To address these clinical needs, R.A.W. developed Endosight™, a high-end guidance system based on augmented reality, and a sophisticated imaging software (Ablation-fit™) for 3D reconstruction, planning and diagnosis to be used in surgery during mini-invasive percutaneous tumour ablation procedures in computed tomography-based interventional oncology.
The solution has been developed to provide intuitive visualisation with no need for manipulation or further interaction to ensure accurate targeting, without compromising workflow, procedure duration or interventional outcomes.
“In our clinical studies, Ablation-fit™ demonstrated a unique ability to predict recurrences beyond the eye perception of a radiologist,” said Luigi Solbiati, Professor of Radiology at Humanitas University (Rozzano – Milan, Italy), Consultant of Interventional Radiology at Humanitas Research Hospital and Scientific Director at R.A.W. “In preclinical studies, Endosight™ demonstrated unparalleled performances that make it possible to ‘see through’ the patient without the need for direct imaging support, thanks to the augmented reality. I have been developing imaging innovations for more than 30 years, and I consider Bracco’s innovative culture the best environment to make new methods grow and spread.”
“We’re delighted about this partnership as it will unleash new opportunities to address unmet medical needs in the field of interventional oncology,” said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Chief Executive Officer at Bracco Imaging. “Endosight™ and Ablation-fit™ will further expand our portfolio of solutions with technologies that, I’m convinced, will significantly impact the clinician effectiveness during the procedure and the patient outcome.”
Alessandro Rotilio, Chief Executive Officer at R.A.W., said: “We are very excited about the agreement with Bracco Imaging. This partnership is the beginning of an unedited integration of imaging, guidance and treatment. The innovations behind Endosight™ and Ablation-fit™ are paradigmatic and new developments are going to further complete the portfolio. We are first-movers, and we want to keep this advantage with such strategic cooperation. Our vision is to make high-end innovation and to keep the user experience simple.”
“Bracco’s journey focuses on the exploitation of new image-guided solutions for diagnosis and treatment of oncological diseases via internal developments and alliances,” said Micol Fornaroli, Chief Strategy Officer at Bracco Imaging. “Joining forces with R.A.W. is an important step along this pathway as it will give the interventional oncologists top-tier, highly innovative tools to plan, verify and manage patients undergoing interventional oncology procedures.”
Ablation-fit™ will be initially distributed in Europe by Bracco Imaging through its commercial network.
Bracco Imaging, part of the Bracco Group, is one of the world’s leading companies in the diagnostic imaging business. Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Bracco Imaging develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic imaging agents and solutions that meet medical needs. The Company operates in more than 100 markets worldwide, either directly or indirectly, through subsidiaries, joint ventures, licenses and distribution partnership agreements.
R.A.W. s.r.l. is a start-up founded in 2015 and based in Milan. It has won several important prizes in the medical start-up field.
