Flying Brands Ltd (LON:FBDU) is inching closer towards the global commercial roll-out of its key kidney stone medical imaging software StoneChecker.
The company is awaiting clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration for StoneChecker, which is expected by the third quarter.
Once approved, the group aims to launch the software in the US, India and China by the end of the year while commercial sales in the UK are expected to begin in the fourth quarter.
A commercial version of the cloud-based interface is scheduled for the third quarter.
To support the commercial roll-out of the kidney stone analysis programme, Flying Brands recently raised £500,000 in a share placement.
StoneChecker received European CE clearance last December, paving the way for the commercial application of the software.
Flying Brands secures contract for StoneChecker
In March, Flying Brands secured its first major marketing and distribution contract for StoneChecker – with Korea Computer Motion ISG, which is selling the software in South Korea.
Recently acquired Imaging Biometrics (IB), which specialises in applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to imaging, has been managing the process for both FDA and European CE clearance.
Other deals
Since taking full ownership of IB in March, the business has been busy making deals and forging partnerships.
One of the deals is a distribution agreement with artificial intelligence exchange platform EnvoyAI. IB Neuro, which measures blood volume in the brain, and the Delta T1 mapping algorithm, are now available for purchase on the exchange.
IB has also partnered up with cloud-based platform QMENTA, which provides data analysis and management for neuro experts. IB will load its software onto QMETNA and believes this will “accelerate neuroscience research and increase accuracy in diagnostics support".
In another partnership, IB is providing access to its quantitative software on the platform of medical imaging company Medimsight. This allows physicians and researchers to purchase IB's technologies without the need for any specific IT infrastructure.
Researchers using Imaging Biometrics software
Meanwhile, IB’s software has caught the attention of researchers in the US and Greece.
Its Rad Tech software will be used in a large phase II brain cancer study by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN).
The software will help quantify how patients are responding to Avastin (bevacizumab) – a common cancer medication.
The General Anti-Cancer and Oncological Hospital, a leading medical centre in Athens, is also planning to roll out a suite of the company's products, including IB Rad Tech, to guide the treatment of patients with brain tumours.
“The acquisition of IB represents the first step in the execution of our vision to become a significant participant in the field of medical imaging diagnostics and the application of artificial intelligence in medical imaging,” said chief executive Trevor Brown.
“We look forward to the future with confidence and excitement.”