Olympus has announced a plan to establish a series of Digital Excellence Centres (DECs) following the acquisition of London-based Odin Vision, a cloud-AI endoscopy company with a portfolio of commercially available computer-aided detection/diagnostic solutions and innovation pipeline of cloud-enabled applications.
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The acquisition has strengthened Olympus' recently announced strategy and initiatives in digital health and brings the promise of AI-powered real-time diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of chronic diseases closer to reality, ultimately raising the standard of care across multiple medical specialties and improving patient outcomes.
Odin Vision is contributing to Olympus' vision of the future of endoscopy. Combining the strength of its core endoscopy portfolio with innovative digital solutions, Olympus plans to collect and analyse procedural, clinical and medical device data in real time, and then, powered by a new digital platform leveraging the latest AI algorithms and software, provide healthcare professionals with clinical and operational solutions designed to reduce administrative and cognitive burdens while also improving operational efficiency. These advancements will support healthcare institutions as they endeavor to raise their level of care.
Shawn LaRocco, global VP customer solutions, responsible for the digital health business at Olympus, said: "As a leader in endoscopy and innovator in the space, Olympus is passionate about delivering the next generation of intelligent integrated solutions and insights to healthcare providers. However, we cannot do it alone and are continuously looking to partner with other pioneers like Odin Vision who share this passion."
To enable this commercial strategy, Olympus plans to develop and establish DECs for the development of digital solutions around the world, beginning in London where the acquisition of Odin Vision has laid the groundwork. In addition to its portfolio, Odin Vision brings renowned AI and software expertise and development capabilities that synergise and further accelerate Olympus' digital health strategy. DECs are to be located at current Olympus R&D sites in Hamburg, Boston, and Tokyo, with the possibility of expanding to Silicon Valley and Tel Aviv at a later stage.
Peter Mountney, CEO of Odin Vision said: "We are excited to set the stage for future innovation development by leading Olympus' plans for the first DECs, all in the pursuit of empowering clinicians to deliver the best possible care and outcomes to patients using the latest digital and AI tools."
Karsten Klose, global head of digital at Olympus, added: "As Olympus looks to expand development capabilities in digital solutions, establishing DECs around the globe will allow us to access critical talent and to develop partnerships with start-ups and other companies who, like Odin Vision, are pushing the envelope of creative innovation.”
