Genedata Expands Collaboration with AstraZeneca on Deep Learning for High-Content Image Analysis

Genedata Imagence automates high-content screening workflows

June 25, 2019
Basel, Switzerland

Genedata, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for biopharmaceutical R&D, today announced a collaboration with AstraZeneca to automate high-content screening (HCS) image analysis using Genedata Imagence^®. Genedata Imagence is the industry’s first commercial, HCS instrument-independent solution that applies the deep-learning approach to automate the analysis of HCS images on an enterprise scale. Producing high quality results from new experiments in just a few minutes, without requiring specific image analysis expertise, Genedata Imagence broadens the application of HCS, significantly shortens cycles of assay development projects, and reduces time and cost for the analysis of phenotypic HCS assays. Most recently, Genedata Imagence received the Best of Show Award at the 2019 Bio-IT World Conference & Expo.

With this project, Genedata and AstraZeneca strengthen a long-standing collaboration that garnered a 2018 Bio-IT World Best Practices Award for Informatics & Knowledge Management. This project demonstrated how deep learning can automatically transfer learnings from one assay to another, enabling a rapid set-up of analysis workflows for new assays. The new collaboration focuses on:

a) detecting complex phenotypes with minimum human intervention;
b) making difficult imaging assays more robust by reducing the impact of biological variability; and
c) further reducing time and effort to develop imaging assays.

“Our collaboration with Genedata helps drive the exciting innovations that both companies strive for,” noted Steve Rees, Vice President, Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca. “The computational workflows we’ve jointly developed have proven to be valuable tools for AstraZeneca. Now, with access to the first commercial version of Genedata Imagence software, our scientists can explore the broad benefits of deep learning in their day-to-day operations.”

“Industry collaborations like the one we have with AstraZeneca are the cornerstones of our success,” said Dr. Othmar Pfannes, CEO of Genedata, “Therefore, we are thrilled to collaborate again with AstraZeneca in advancing our deep-learning approach incorporated in Genedata Imagence. We are committed to establishing AI approaches in biopharma R&D, to make discovery operations more efficient, and ultimately generate better results.”