GE HealthCare has entered an agreement to acquire AI-based brain imaging company icometrix to expand its magnetic resonance (MR) imaging capabilities for neurological disorders.
The imaging giant stated that the purchase will enable it to integrate icometrix’s icobrain platform into existing MRI workflows, thereby meeting the growing demand for MRI in personalised treatment planning for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
A standout provision of the Belgian company’s platform is icobrain aria, claimed to be the first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared AI solution for detecting and quantifying amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) – a side effect associated with amyloid-targeting pharmaceutical therapies used in Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
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Icometrix’s icobrain aria can identify ARIA-E (oedema/effusion) and ARIA-H (microhaemorrhages or haemosiderin deposits) from MR scans. Performing longitudinal analysis of ARIA occurrence over time, the tool is designed to give radiologists the ability to monitor Alzheimer’s disease patients’ response to anti-amyloid therapies.
GE HealthCare stated that it intends to expand patient access to the solution on all vendor MRI systems through commercial distribution and clinical integration.
GE HealthCare MR president and CEO Kelly Londy commented: “Along with our commitment to pushing the barriers of neuroscience research with our innovative MRI technology, we’re dedicated to strengthening our neurology portfolio and our MR imaging capabilities to provide advanced solutions to clinicians providing more precise care for patients both now and in the future.”
Eisai and Biogen’s Leqembi (lecanemab) and Eli Lilly’s Kisunla (donanemab), which received FDA approval in January 2023 and July 2024, respectively, represent the most significant disease-modifying treatments available for Alzheimer’s disease. The forecast is to generate global sales of approximately $3.6bn and $3.8bn, respectively, by 2033, as per GlobalData analysis.
However, the two drugs have struggled with reimbursement in several territories due to narrow benefit-to-risk ratios and the need for frequent brain imaging before and during treatment, the latter adding expense.
In Lilly’s clinical trials of Kisunla, ARIA-E and ARIA-H were among the most common serious side effects observed, with Alzheimer’s disease patients with the APOE ε4 homozygous genotype found to be at significantly higher risk for developing ARIA.
