Bayer acquires Scottish imaging AI platform provider Blackford Analysis

Bayer has acquired Blackford Analysis, a Scottish imaging artificial intelligence (AI) platform, to strengthen its footprint in the digital medical imaging market.

The acquisition forms part of the German life-science company’s strategy to improve patient care through innovation in radiology, including the development and adoption of AI within the clinical workflow.

The financial terms of the deal were not revealed.

Spun out from the University of Edinburgh in 2010, Blackford Analysis offers infrastructure and access to a clinical application (ClinApp) ecosystem for imaging and analytics and has a presence in the UK and the US.

Stefan Oelrich — Bayer AG Board of Management Member and Bayer’s Pharmaceutical Division President, said: “Adding Blackford and its AI technology to our radiology portfolio secures Bayer an excellent position in the fastest growing segment within the overall global radiology industry.

“This acquisition complements our comprehensive radiology portfolio and nourishes our engagement to drive innovation in digital health.

“We are pleased to join forces with Blackford and their exceptional team to optimally utilize our combined expertise in healthcare technology with the aim to deliver true value to radiologists and their teams for the benefit of their patients.”

Blackford Analysis will continue to operate independently and will be accountable to advance its technology, channel partnerships and ClinApp portfolio through Bayer’s experience, infrastructure, and reach in the pharmaceutical industry.

Bayer acquires Scottish imaging AI platform provider Blackford Analysis. Photo courtesy of Bayer AG.

Ben Panter — Blackford Analysis CEO said: “Combining our knowledge and experience as one of the leading platform providers in the industry with Bayer’s advanced radiology portfolio will enable us to provide solutions to deliver ongoing clinical value to radiologists and their teams.”

Subject to customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close later this year.

In 2020, Bayer and Blackford Analysis entered into a development and license agreement for the former’s Calantic Digital Solutions, a medical imaging platform.

Calantic Digital Solutions, which was launched in June 2022, leverages Blackford Analysis’ technology and adds additional workflow and analytics components to deliver access to applications, including those enabled by AI, for medical imaging.