January 19, 2012 -- GE Global Research, the central technology development arm for GE Healthcare
and all of GE’s businesses, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with Singapore’s Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). This
agreement will focus on advancing current medical imaging technologies and
diagnostics to enable more accurate, earlier and faster clinical diagnoses of cancer
and other diseases. The partnership between A*STAR and GE Global Research
brings together two world-class research institutions, integrating their deep domain
expertise in biomedical, science, and engineering capabilities to support this effort.
This MOU expands upon a productive collaboration between GE and A*STAR’s
Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC) using Hyperpolarized Carbon-13
technology. Early results exploring sub second bio-chemical imaging in Oncology
applications helped pave the way for a broader scientific collaboration on projects in
medical diagnostics and medical imaging. The goal is to improve diagnosis and
tissue characterization in diseases that are prevalent in the Asian population, such
as liver, lung, and gastric cancers.
Michael Idelchik, Vice President of Advanced Technology Programs at GE Global
Research, said, “To more effectively combat cancer and other deadly diseases,
more advanced diagnostic tools will be needed to help doctors become more
prescriptive in their diagnoses and treatment regimens. Combining A*STAR’s world-
class biomedical and clinical expertise with GE’s strengths in diagnostic and
molecular imaging, we have an exciting opportunity to take medical diagnosis to this
next level. Specifically, A*STAR will help us address cancers and other diseases
more common in Asia and where pathology and outcomes are different as compared
to the rest of the world.”
Professor Low Teck Seng, Managing Director of A*STAR, said, “This win-win public-
private partnership between A*STAR and GE comes at an opportune time with the
increasing research interest in diseases affecting the Asian population. I am
confident that A*STAR’s cross-disciplinary capabilities in both the biomedical, and
physical sciences & engineering research will complement GE’s expertise in
diagnostic and molecular imaging to meet today’s complex healthcare challenges
and enhance lives.” As part of the MOU, A*STAR and GE Global Research will collaborate to enhance
medical imaging technologies in imaging modalities, ranging from magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) to computed
tomography (CT). In a Frost & Sullivan global market analysis report, the medical
imaging sector was valued at about US$25 billion as of 2008, with MRI and CT
scanners accounting for a combined 40% of the total global device medical imaging
market
1. In one project, scientists from A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME)
and GE scientists will explore the development of new imaging technologies to
improve the speed and accuracy of clinical cancer diagnosis. Leveraging IME’s
network and partnerships with the microelectronics industry, this project could result
in the development of a new local industry for Singapore in the healthcare
technologies area.
In another project, A*STAR’s Singapore Bioimaging Consortium (SBIC) and GE plan
to develop novel imaging markers for hepatic cellular carcinoma (HCC), the most
common type of liver cancer in Asia. This project will integrate biomedical imaging
and pre-clinical model development expertise from SBIC with GE’s molecular
diagnostics technology to develop innovative, proprietary platforms to help advance
the unique characterization of HCC in each patient. In this manner, the goal is that a
specific type of cancer would be identified and the therapy tailored to each
patient. This project encompasses a range of medical diagnostic technologies from
imaging to molecular pathology biomarkers appropriate to HCC, relevant to the
Asian population. Building on a close partnership with local hospitals, success in this
project may lead to accelerated and accurate cancer diagnosis that enables more
prescriptive and effective cancer treatments for patients. This will support A*STAR’s
efforts to develop Singapore as a Center for Oncology and Molecular Pathology.
For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
GE Media Contact
Todd Alhart
GE Global Research
Tel: +1 518 387 7914
Email: Todd.alhart@ge.com
A*STAR Media Contact
Dr. Sarah Chang KC
Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: (65) 6826 6442
Email: chang_kai_chen@a-star.edu.sg
About GE Global Research
GE Global Research is one of the world's most diversified industrial research labs,
providing innovative technology for all of GE's businesses. Global Research has
been the cornerstone of GE technology for more than 100 years, developing
breakthrough innovations in areas such as medical imaging, energy generation
technology, jet engines and lighting. GE Global Research is headquartered in
Niskayuna, New York and has facilities in Bangalore, India, Shanghai, China and
Munich, Germany. Visit GE Global Research at www.ge.com/research.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for
fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based
and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences and
physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and six consortia & centres,
located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their immediate vicinity.
A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual,
human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural
research in the universities, and with other local and international partners.
For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg