Delivering faster, more accurate and efficient automated tissue dissection

Eindhoven, THE NETHERLANDS (September 30 2020) – Xyall BV, a medtech innovator in molecular pathology, has entered into a multi-year, strategic partnership with Motic, a world leader in microscopy and digital pathology systems. Their goal is to develop an automated, high-precision table-top tumour tissue dissection solution for hospital-based molecular pathology laboratories.

In addition to joint product development, Xyall and Motic have established a reseller and support agreement to accelerate the delivery of these offerings into Chinese and Asian markets.

The strategic partnership with Motic adds digital pathology, workflow and scalable capabilities to the Xyall platform and the company expects to have its first table-top products ready for launch in autumn next year. In 2019, Xyall partnered with high-tech engineering company Sioux to bring high precision (medical) robotic solutions and machine learning expertise to their platform.

Tissue dissection remains a labor-intensive process at risk of error and cross contamination. “Xyall aims to transform the way laboratories carry this out, by delivering an automatic solution with greater accuracy, throughput and quality control,” explained Guido du Pree, Xyall’s CEO.

The company is building a platform to support clinicians and lab managers with faster and more accurate tissue dissection solutions to support them in delivering precision diagnostics. An automated system also makes the most efficient use of existing staffing levels.

Alongside the hospital-based system, Xyall intends to launch an industrial, automated tissue dissection solution for high volume (commercial) molecular pathology laboratories. Using the same technology platform, the launch of this large-scale system is planned for spring 2021.

‘Algorithm enables H&E and dissection images to be automatically aligned before transferring annotated Regions of Interest to the dissection images.’

‘Algorithm enables H&E and dissection images to be automatically aligned before transferring annotated Regions of Interest to the dissection images.’

"We are delighted to join forces with Motic,” said Guido du Pree. “Their knowledge and experience in optics, imaging, pathology workflow, and strong market position in digital pathology, especially in Asia, is an enormous asset and will boost our development and commercialization. The combined expertise of our strategic partners creates a dynamic, conviction-led alliance - to create and drive forward our unique global solutions for both high volume and hospital-based molecular pathology laboratories.”

Richard Yeung, Motic’s CEO, added: “Motic is not only a trusted global provider of microscopy and digital whole slide imaging solutions, but also operates one of the largest tele-pathology consultation platforms in the world. By teaming up with Xyall and Sioux, we are confident that we have created the synergies needed to build another milestone in digital pathology industry.”

Current practice in tissue dissection involves the pathologist in pen-marking Regions of Interest (ROIs) on Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) stained slides. Using visual assessment, lab technicians then translate these ROIs into dissection slides, manually scraping the tissue and placing it in small containers. In view of the worldwide shortage of laboratory technicians, this puts pressure on clinical labs.

 


 

Xyall

Xyall is headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and was founded in August 2018 by Guido du Pree and Hans van Wijngaarden. They are both advocates of precision medicine and worked together at Philips Healthcare as part of the senior management team developing the company’s global digital pathology business.

 

About Motic

Motic has been a global manufacturer of high quality microscopes and digital imaging equipment for decades. With its manufacturing and R&D headquarters in China, Motic is not only a trusted provider of microscopy and digital whole slide imaging solutions, but also the leading digital pathology solution provider operating the largest tele-pathology consultation platform, with five independent clinical Laboratories (ICL) in China. By creating innovative, high value products like Motic EasyScan, Motic aims to empower scientists, medical professionals, and other microscopists to reach new heights of professional achievement and scientific advancement.

 

About Sioux Technologies

High-tech company Sioux Technologies has its headquarters in The Netherlands, with offices in Germany and China. Its focus, together with regional and European partners (such as the Brabant Development Agency and the European Angel Fund), is to identify and then inject investment capital into the most promising technical start-ups. Their support not only speeds up the technological progress of innovative ideas but helps bring them to market far more quickly. With more than 750 engineers in-house, Sioux Technologies has the breadth of expertise to provide the technological expertise needed to maximize success. Sioux's strength lies in its unique combination of high-quality competences in software, mathware, mechatronics, electronics as well as assembly.

 

For more information:

Guido du Pree: +31 (0)6 20444932
guido.du.pree@xyall.com