HCB News: Can you tell us about the conception of this project and what the development process looked like?
JB: The breast CT development at UC Davis has been a 20-year project with funding from NIH, the California Breast Cancer Research Program and several foundations and corporations. We have built four breast CT systems, all different. We have performed several clinical trials, and overall our scanners have imaged over 600 women. The image data has been compelling from a number of activities which have mined these images to quantify breast density, demonstrate breast morphology better and serve the academic community with data for further research in breast imaging.
HCB News: What are the next steps you're taking in terms of commercializing the system and/or illustrating its value to patients?
JB: Isotropic Imaging is currently doing due diligence in terms of fact finding, capital development and forming a strong scientific and administrative team. There is a plan for an initial stock offering in Canada later this year, which will capitalize a rapid path to building and testing a commercial product, receiving appropriate approval and ultimately converting the 20 years of UC-Davis breast CT research into a competitive clinical tool which will help radiologists detect breast cancer earlier and provide better diagnostic information to improve the health and livelihood of their patients.
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HCB News: There are a handful of companies developing or offering breast CT solutions. What sets yours apart from the rest?
JB: For almost 20 years, UC-Davis has been the leader of academic research in breast CT imaging technology, developing applications, performing image analysis and demonstrating performance by both computer and human observers. We were first to demonstrate cone beam breast CT in humans, first to image breast cancer in humans, first to use iodinated contrast in breast CT and first to perform PET/CT on a dedicated breast imaging platform. Twelve young engineers have earned their Ph.D.s on this and related topics. We are the only group to develop four completely different breast CT systems, each one improving on its predecessor. Our group is not the first to commercialize breast CT, but our 20 years of technical and clinical experience with breast CT places us in an excellent position to design and build a more optimal scanner for patient imaging.
HCB News: Is there anything else you want to mention about the system that I haven't asked?
JB: Medicine is a conservative discipline, and innovation moves slowly. Radiology is one of the most technological fields in medicine and the adoption of new and emerging technologies requires both time and solid performance data in regards to efficacy. Currently, one breast CT company is FDA-approved for diagnostic breast imaging, and we believe that the breast imaging community will be more willing to embrace this exciting new technology when several companies are in the breast CT market. It moves the discussion from “should I buy breast CT?” to “which one should I buy?” This is a good thing for the several companies which may be providing breast CDT systems in the next few years.
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