Our newest entity Image Core Lab, or ICL, is focused on image analysis and management for clinical research. This is an interesting new space, requiring its own dedicated focus, team, infrastructure, and technology while still being closely allied to the core practice of teleradiology. Our experiences in this space over the past few years inspired us to conduct a one-day workshop on Clinical Trials Imaging in partnership with the DIA. The DIA is the Drug Information Association (http://www.diahome.org/) whose mission is to “provide knowledge resources across the full spectrum of medical product development”. As a member of the DIA India Advisory Board, it is also my commitment to honor this mission, which is clearly aligned with our own organization’s goal of sharing information and training. The one-day workshop which was held at the end of July was a resounding success, despite some early trepidation that there would not be sufficient registrants. Eventually, a strong showing by representatives from medical imaging, pharma, biotech and healthcare companies resulted in a highly interactive and stimulating workshop. The chief guest was Prof Vijay Chandru, Chairman of Strand Life Sciences, who in his thought-provoking speech also revealed interestingly that his respect for medical imaging in part arose from the fact that he was the scientist at the Indian Institute of Science who was shot and seriously injured in the terrorist attack there, requiring multiple subsequent up close and personal encounters with radiology and radiologists. The panel discussion with distinguished representatives namely Dr. Sandeep Athalye from Biocon, Veerendra Shetty from Siemens and Dr. Snehal Kothari from Quintiles addressed several of the issues that arise in Clinical Trials Imaging, as well as the role that Core Labs and Technology can play in addressing these issues. The grand finale of the workshop was the e-lecture by Prof Dushyant Sahani, Director of CT Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital on the role of Imaging Biomarkers in Oncology, a real tour-de-force in terms of its futuristic imaging content and scientific clarity. Overall, a scintillating event!
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