Industry round-up: Bio-Imaging Technologies, CareMedic Systems, McKesson, Paralex, Siemens
Bio-Imaging Technologies has acquired Theralys SA, a provider of customized imaging services in the field of central nervous system disorders (CNS) and Neurovascular diseases. Theralys' proprietary image processing software enables the introduction of quantitative imaging markers in the design of clinical trials for Neurovascular and CNS disorders, including stroke, secondary prevention drugs, multiple sclerosis and dementia including Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Theralys, founded in 2001 and based in Lyon, France, operates an imaging core lab providing centralized blinded read services and image analysis. Their proprietary and validated software for clinical trials includes applications which enable the automated quantitation of various imaging parameters such as brain, white matter lesion and hippocampal volumes, MRI diffusion and perfusion, among others. Such measurements are currently used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in ongoing phase II-III-IV trials in neurodegenerative diseases for the evaluation of response to therapy and/or indicators of disease progression over time.

Mark Weinstein, president and CEO of Bio-Imaging, said, "This planned acquisition is consistent with our strategy to be the leader in medical imaging core lab services by expanding our therapeutic expertise in the CNS and Neurovascular area, introducing new image analysis solutions and strengthening our global presence. The addition of Chahin Pachai, PhD, Theralys' executive director, and the expertise of Theralys' professional team increases the depth and breadth of our management team and strengthens our clinical expertise."

Weinstein added that the addition of Theralys' Lyon, France-based office “further strengthens our European presence."


CareMedic Systems announced the release of its new revenue cycle performance management dashboard. The Web-based dashboard is integrated with the company’s AccelerateAR MedicareRT system to provide users with a tool that provides accurate measurements of performance and profitability.

The CareMedic performance management dashboard is a comprehensive decision support tool designed to gather and analyze data from the MedicareRT system and create key performance indicators (KPIs). Using a combination of analytical tools, data aggregation methods and personalized views, the dashboard provides valuable information that enables more effective revenue cycle management at every level. The solution includes standard CFO, patient financial services manager and billing manager views designed around those roles and responsibilities. Each user can further personalize the views according to individual preferences and priorities.
CareMedic also announced SecondaryGold, a system that allows its customers to focus on primary claims while CareMedic manages their secondary claim processing and follow-up. SecondaryGold is designed to increase the collection rate for secondary claims to more than 90 percent of the collectable dollars, increasing cash flow, reducing write-offs and eliminating claims processing fees.

SecondaryGold combines CareMedic’s AccelerateAR Medicare direct entry and claims management systems with follow-up services to relieve hospitals from the tedium of working high volume, low dollar secondary claims. With CareMedic’s SecondaryGold offering, hospitals can close the write-off black hole and collect dollars they normally do not collect—without paying claims management transaction or monthly fees, the company said.


McKesson Corp. today announced that it has signed a $15 million technology and automation agreement with General Health System (GHS) of Baton Rouge, La. GHS will deploy a wide range of systems designed to support nurses, physicians, pharmacists and other members of the care team in the delivery of safe, effective care at Baton Rouge General Medical Center (BRGMC) and surrounding ambulatory care settings. BRGMC is the only community-owned, full-service hospital serving the capital city's nine-parish region. In combination, the new technologies will support GHS in developing an electronic health record (EHR) that spans both inpatient and outpatient settings for greater continuity of care regardless of where patients seek medical services.


Global bio/pharmaceutical company Paralex International Corporation has appointed George Q. Mills, MD, to the position of vice president, Medical Imaging Consulting for Paralex-owned Perceptive Informatics. Mills has formerly served as division director of Medical Imaging and Hematology Products in the Office of Oncology Drug Products, part of the U.S. FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). In his new role he will advise bio/pharmaceutical clients on how to use medical imaging for strategic decision making and in support of regulatory submissions for their products. In his recent position as division director at the FDA, Mills was responsible for the review and approval of diagnostic and radiolabeled therapeutic drugs and biologics.


Siemens Medical Solutions has unveiled its new research facility located in Los Angeles dedicated exclusively to the development of molecular imaging biomarkers called the Siemens Medical Solutions Molecular Imaging (MI) Biomarker Research facility. Siemens said this is the latest step for the company in becoming a full-service diagnostics company, integrating in vivo and in vitro imaging diagnostics capabilities. Siemens recently launched Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics as the in vitro complement to the portfolio following acquisitions of Bayer Diagnostics and Los Angeles-based Diagnostic Products Corporation.
 
The facility will be dedicated solely to the discovery and development of new imaging biomarkers to spur the growth of in vivo molecular diagnostics, the company said. Imaging biomarkers are molecules that are specifically designed to seek out disease indicators that may appear in individual cells or tissue in the organism and that may provide early warning signs of disease.
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