The identification of high-risk individuals is one of the main goals ofcardiovascular primary prevention. It constitutes the basis for implementing actions oriented toward reducing modifiable risk factors at individual level, from changing life styles to drug interventions. Under partnership, GE Healthcare , the healthcare business of GE, and CardioDx , a company in the field of cardiovascular genomic diagnostics have announced plans to advance and co-develop diagnostic technologies to improve the care and management of patients with cardiovascular disease.
The GE Healthymagination Fund , a new equity fund that makes investments in highly promising healthcare technology companies, has invested $5 million in CardioDx as part of a Series D round that the fund is leading.
This alliance between two companies aligns with GE’s healthymagination initiative which focuses on reducing cost, increasing access and improving quality in healthcare. This is considered as the first investment for the Healthymagination Fund. However, the other details regarding the deal have not been disclosed.
CardioDx develops genomic tests to aid in the assessment and tailoring of care of individuals with cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. GE Healthcare is a provider of advanced technologies for cardiovascular imaging and monitoring.
The strategic fit between the two businesses combined with expanded capabilities in product research and development will accelerate the development of new high-value integrated technologies for the diagnosis and care of patients with suspected heart disease. This alliance also reflects GE Healthcare’s interest in tapping the opportunities to improve patient care.
CardioDx’s initial product, Corus CAD, is a clinically validated non-invasive genomic test. It uses data such as gene expression levels and other patient characteristics to assess the likelihood that a patient has obstructive coronary artery disease – a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries that can lead to heart attack or death.
Pascale Witz, president and CEO of GE Healthcare’s Medical Diagnostics business said that the alliance with CardioDx provides us access to new and exciting technologies in high-value diagnostics, which will complement and strengthen our existing offerings.
David Levison, CardioDx’s president and CEO, stated that the alliance with GE Healthcare and the funding from GE’s Healthymagination Fund will allow the company to create greater healthcare efficiencies, reduce the need for unnecessary tests, and enable physicians to tailor care to the individual.
Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for HealthTechZone. To read more of Anuradha’s article, please visit her columnist page .Edited by
Marisa Torrieri
