The two companies will look to improve individualized treatment of cancer and critical-care patients.

Roche Diagnostics, a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics, and GE Healthcare, a worldwide leader in medical imaging equipment, are joining forces to develop “an industry-first digital platform, using advanced analytics to provide workflow solutions and apps that support clinical decisions.” The strategic, long-term partnership will develop integrated digital diagnostics platforms to improve oncology and critical care treatment.

“This is the first time that two major players in healthcare have combined digital, in-vivo and in-vitro diagnostics to this degree. We believe this alliance will help accelerate the delivery of data-driven precision health for customers, patients and the healthcare industry,” said Kieran Murphy, President & CEO of GE Healthcare. 

The two companies will apply advanced analytics to in-vivo data from GE’s medical imaging and monitoring equipment with in-vitro data from Roche’s biomarker, tissue pathology, genomics and sequencing portfolio, according to a Roche press release. The intent is to develop “jointly-branded clinical, decision-support software for faster, more accurate, more confident decision-making, enabling earlier diagnosis and individualized treatment.”

The platforms will allow “seamless integration and analysis of in-vivo and in-vitro data, patient records, medical best practice, real time monitoring and the latest research outcomes. Clinicians will then have the comprehensive decision support for providing the right treatment and quality of care for their patients.” 

As one example, Roche explains that the new technology will provide oncology care teams with multiple specialists with a comprehensive data dashboard for reviewing, collaborating and aligning treatment decisions for cancer patients at each stage of their disease. A second example for critical care will be developed that will allow data from a patient’s hospital monitoring equipment to be integrated with their biomarker, genomic and sequencing data so that physicians can identify and potentially predict severe complications before they arise.

“This unique partnership will deliver innovative solutions and insights in clinical decision-making. Our goal is to support clinicians and other relevant stakeholders for the benefit of patients by providing the right decision support at the right time and through comprehensive digital offerings,” said Roche Diagnostics CEO Roland Diggelmann.