The National Consortium for Intelligent Medical Imaging COVID Research Fund supports Perspectum’s COVERSCAN study
Oxford, June 23, 2020. We are pleased to announce Perspectum has been awarded a grant under the NCIMI COVID Research Fund to support our recently launched COVERSCAN study, a landmark study of multi-organ phenotyping in patients recovering from COVID-19.
COVERSCAN is the first study to assess the impact of COVID-19 on multi-organ health, using Perspectum’s imaging technology. The first patients have already been recruited following COVERSCAN’s launch in April and initial findings will be published later this year. The study also aims to identify risk factors for the virus, with detailed cross-sectional imaging and genetic testing.
The NCIMI COVID Research Fund was set up to enable the rapid development of projects in medical imaging from NCIMI partners which could support the diagnosis, treatment and subsequent care of patients.
Alliance Medical is working with Perspectum on the COVERSCAN study to provide safe, high-quality imaging facilities for this project. The grant from NCIMI will enable Perspectum and Alliance Medical to build on the initial work performed, enabling development of novel metrics for COVID-19 related internal organ characterisation.
“We are delighted to be able to support our partners, Perspectum and Alliance Medical, in the delivery of COVERSCAN. One of NCIMI’s core aims is to be responsive to the needs of the community, and adaptive to emerging needs. Being able to pivot to support the research of our partners in AI and machine learning research in the COVID-19 pandemic was critical to ensure we play our part in responding to the crisis.” Claire Bloomfield, CEO of NCIMI, commented, “Perspectum’s COVERSCAN study is a strong fit for our research fund, and a brilliant example of how our technology partners are responding quickly to respond to the huge challenges COVID-19 has presented to clinical staff.”
Mary Xu, Head of Clinical Affairs at Perspectum commented about the importance of the study “No one knows the long-term effects from COVID19 – only time will tell. This is a unique time for all nations within respective societies and healthcare structures. Findings from COVERSCAN will contribute to the global research community to better understand the footprint it leaves behind. Assessing recovery is crucial to enable global planning for healthcare needs.”
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About COVERSCAN
The first study to map how COVID-19 impacts the health of multiple organs and identify at-risk features for the virus, with detailed cross-sectional imaging and genetic studies. The primary objective is to determine the prevalence and degree of lung, heart, kidney, liver, pancreas and spleen injury in a cohort of patients recovering from COVID-19 disease. Over a period of 24 months, the study aims to recruit over 500 patients recovering from COVID-19 disease following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The research also seeks to assess change in the health of multiple organs and whether genetic traits may influence recovery.
Find out more: https://coverscan.com
About Perspectum
Perspectum delivers cutting-edge digital technologies that help clinicians provide better care for patients with liver disease, diabetes, and cancer. With a strong focus on precision medicine using advanced imaging and genetics, our vision is to empower patients and clinicians through quantitative assessments of health enabling early detection, diagnosis, and targeted treatment. With a diverse team of physicians, biomedical scientists, engineers, and technologists, Perspectum offers a way to manage complex health problems at scale. For more information, visit perspectum.com
About NCIMI – National Consortium of Intelligent Medical Imaging
NCIMI’s mission is to integrate medical imaging, such as CT and MRI scans, with artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve patient care. Using this technology together can transform how medical professionals diagnose diseases and chronic conditions. The NHS handles 40 million new imaging requests per year, which currently aren’t standardised or digitally reported.
By bringing this information together, and by engaging with patients to gather anonymised data, we can speed up and improve how we diagnose and prevent diseases whilst lowering costs – improving treatment options for patients.
Based at University of Oxford’s Big Data Institute, NCIMI brings together more than 25 partners including NHS trusts, medical tech companies, charities and patient groups. Current projects cover a wide range of conditions, including childhood obesity, endometriosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. NCIMI is one of four centres funded by the Innovate UK through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.