SRL Diagnostics extends its collaborative endeavours for AI in Histopathology
Focuses on AI in Histopathology with emphasis on Breast Cancer
Chennai, September 22, 2020: – Continuing with its transformative efforts in the field of Artificial Intelligence in Pathology, SRL Diagnostics, today announced the second phase of their AI solution development engagement with a technology and data science grant from Microsoft’s AI for Health program. While the phase 1 focused on AI models in Cytology and yielded an algorithm for screening of liquid based cytology slides for Cervical Cancer, the second phase will delve into AI models in Histopathology, majorly focusing on Breast, Colorectal and Prostate Cancers. As a part of this engagement, senior Histopathologists from SRL will not only lead and set processes for the AI algorithm development but will also provide research insights required for digitalization of pathology in India.
As per a report by WHO, breast cancer accounts for 2.09 million cases 6,27,000 deaths globally. In India itaccounts for 14% of all cancers in women and is the most common form of cancer.
SRL’s efforts in this cutting edge field of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence will help improve the quality and reach of pathology by bringing together Microsoft’s Azure and AI technology innovations and SRL’s world-class infrastructure and expertise in the study of human cells and tissues.
Commenting on the partnership Anand K., Chief Executive Officer, SRL Diagnostics said, “At SRL, we are committed to pioneering innovation in the field of digital pathology in India. We are delighted to continue to have support from Microsoft’s AI for Health program, in developing solutions and generate both social and business value. The AI platform we will build is expected to create a software environment infused with millions of data points and knowledge gained from SRL’s expert laboratory professionals. Diagnostics is the first step for any disease management and with the current pandemic scenario the nation and the world at large is facing, the role for diagnostics segment has grown manifold and re-focused the importance of embracing change in the rapidly evolving technology scenario for healthcare. With the growing number of cancer patients, as well as of other diseases, there’s a need to quickly and accurately analyze the samples to help doctors arrive at a diagnosis faster.”
Commenting on the partnership, John Kahan, Chief Data Analytics Officer and global lead of AI for Health, Microsoft said, “Data is a cornerstone in finding new and innovative ways to tackle some of the world’s toughest health challenges. The complexity of diseases requires us to use technology to learn more about how to fight them. We hope that our support will yield helpful insights around diseases such as cancer.”
As the largest diagnostic laboratory in the country, SRL Diagnostics has a huge repository of de-identified histopathology slides, which could be of immense value for training an AI algorithm. By increasing efficiency in the initial steps in a biopsy tissue analysis through artificial neural networks, it will be possible for a histopathology laboratory to cut down on inadvertent manual errors and inherent subjectivity, and process more samples in a day with higher level of accuracy.
Microsoft’s AI for Health program aims to support organizations to build capabilities of harnessing AI and cloud computing to accelerate innovation in the healthcare industry and improve the lives of people around the world. By working with the healthcare industry’s pioneering players, Microsoft has brought its AI capabilities to devices for early and remote detection of diabetic retinopathy to prevent blindness. Microsoft has also recently launched an AI-powered Cardiovascular Disease Risk Score API for Indian population.
About SRL Diagnostics
SRL Diagnostics is one of the leading diagnostic chains in India providing quality service via an efficient network of labs and customer touch points spread across 600+ Cities, 30 States and Union Territories. Rooted in our 25-year legacy of Accuracy, Transparency, Empathy and Innovation, we take pride in helping our customers on their path to better health by providing them the services of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. The company has the largest number of NABL and CAP accredited labs in the country, serving close to 13 million customers, conducting more than 30 million tests annually via an extensive network of 400+ labs including two global reference labs in its network – Mumbai and Delhi/ NCR and 2 Regional Reference labs in Bangalore and Kolkata. Today, SRL employs more than 6,000 people, most of them who are doctors, PhDs, scientists, and technical staff, striving every day to deliver solutions that help make people healthier. SRL Diagnostics is at the forefront of diagnostics technology and expertise servicing customers through physical network of labs coupled with digital capabilities and home collection facilities. The company caters to international markets like South Asia, Africa, Dubai and other part of Middle East.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 11,000 employees, engaged in sales and marketing, research, development and customer services and support, across 11 Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. Microsoft offers its global cloud services from local data centers to accelerate digital transformation across Indian startups, businesses, and government organizations.
For more information, please visit https://www.srlworld.com/
