Hackensack Meridian Health and Neosoma, Inc., a medical technology company focused on helping clinicians advance brain cancers treatment using artificial intelligence (AI), on Friday announced a strategic partnership to treat the most challenging brain tumors.
The collaboration will include clinical data sharing, clinical research, and strategic investment from the health network to support Neosoma’s innovative method of imaging, tracking, and collecting data on numerous types of brain tumors, including glioblastomas.
“We are committed to investing in research and innovative therapies to live our mission to transform healthcare and give our patients the best possible outcomes,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. “Partnering with Neosoma Inc. is a great way to continue to develop potential game-changing therapies to treat these challenging cancers.”
The partnership includes HMH physicians using Neosoma’s software in clinical practice, starting with Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center; physician input and feedback for development of future software; and data sharing for product R&D efforts including collaboration with Anthology Diagnostics for genomics data and capabilities.
Neosoma recently received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its first AI-based neuro-oncology software device, Neosoma HGG (High-Grade Glioma). The technology produces precise and accurate brain tumor analysis on MRIs, providing physicians with critical insights to guide treatment decisions.
In clinical practice, the brain MRI is the physician’s best tool to evaluate the details and changes in a brain tumor. But even the most experienced physicians encounter considerable challenges in determining the extent and characteristics of the cancer, which can have a direct impact on clinical care.
The Neosoma technology will help physicians to better plan procedures, assess post-procedural results, guide chemo and immunotherapy treatments, track patients longitudinally, support an improved patient experience, and help lead to improved treatment, according to the company.
“Neosoma helps to avoid interruptions in care, unnecessary surgeries, and unnecessary changes in therapy,” said Joseph Landolfi, D.O., a neuro-oncologist and chief medical officer at JFK University Medical Center. “The entire team benefits from centralized information, more efficient communication, and treatment protocols tailored to each specific patient.”
Ihor Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, Hackensack Meridian Health’s president of Academics, Research and Innovation and founding chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute, said HMH proudly supports promising companies such as Neosoma through the Bear’s Den, a novel health network incubator that accelerates innovation at key points in the pipeline.
Launched in 2017, the Bear’s Den features a panel of experts, including Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Garrett, leading physicians, key network executives, venture capitalists, patent attorneys, who gather regularly to vet proposals from entrepreneurs.
Bear’s Den has vetted many products and strategies to streamline care delivery, reduce infections, lower hospital readmissions and help patients partner in their care with physicians. The program has also invested in promising innovative companies.
