Roche announced has entered into a strategic, long-term partnership with GE Healthcare, a leading provider of medical imaging equipment, in order to jointly develop and co-market digital clinical decision support solutions. The partnership will initially focus on products that accelerate and improve individualised treatment options for cancer and critical care patients.

The two companies aim to develop an industry-first digital platform, using advanced analytics to provide workflow solutions and apps that support clinical decisions. This will allow the 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.

For example, oncology care teams with multiple specialists will have a comprehensive data dashboard to review, collaborate and align on treatment decisions for cancer patients at each stage of their disease. In the critical care setting, data from a patient’s hospital monitoring equipment will be integrated with their biomarker, genomic and sequencing data, helping physicians to identify, or even predict severe complications before they strike.

“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 Roland Diggelmann, CEO Roche Diagnostics.

Roche Diagnostics is the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics, and GE Healthcare is a worldwide leader in medical imaging equipment. “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.

In vivo diagnostics are tests or observations done on the living tissue of the whole living organism in a controlled environment. These tests are used in laboratory or other healthcare professional settings.

In vitro diagnostics are tests that can detect diseases, conditions, or infections. Some tests are used in laboratory or other health professional settings and other tests are for consumers to use at home.

Critical Care: A branch of secondary health care, that deals with the short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery.

Clinical oncology: A branch of medicine, that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.