Quest Diagnostics has announced that it will acquire PathAI Diagnostics, PathAI's anatomic and digital pathology laboratory services business. The move will accelerate the use of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) pathology, the firm said in a statement.
By mid-year, PathAI Diagnostics' digitized pathology laboratory in Memphis, TN, will become a Quest Diagnostics specialty pathology business and digital research and development (R&D) center, Quest said. The addition to Quest's portfolio will also support its AmeriPath and Dermpath Diagnostics businesses.
PathAI will continue to support its own biopharmaceutical clients with clinical trial services capabilities at its biopharma lab, according to the announcement. However, with PathAI Diagnostics, Quest will be able to add capabilities in AI and digital pathology and build on its oncology and subspecialized pathology services, according to Kristie Dolan, Quest Diagnostics' oncology division senior vice president.
The company noted that it has implemented AI, digital, and automation technologies across different laboratory and business functions, including microbiology and cytogenetics, as well as specimen processing and customer service. The company has also piloted digital and AI pathology oncology solutions at Quest and AmeriPath sites in Tampa, Denver, and Clifton, NJ.
With the acquisition and agreements, Quest Diagnostics will license PathAI's AISight digital pathology image management system to support its pathology laboratories. Quest will also become a preferred provider for PathAI's biopharmaceutical clinical laboratory services. Over time, Quest expects that the transaction with PathAI will enable it to deploy digital slide preparation and diagnostic and second opinion consultation services to health systems and other providers, both in the U.S. and overseas through its Global Diagnostic Network.
