Aperio | Press Releases

Aperio Appoints Veteran Healthcare Executive Keith Hagen as Chief Operating Officer

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:00:00 PST

Chief Operating Officer

Global Digital Pathology Leader Strengthens Leadership Team with Addition of Former QuadraMed Executive

Vista, CA – March 2, 2010 - Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, has appointed Keith B. Hagen as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Hagen, former CEO of QuadraMed Corporation, is among the most influential leaders in the healthcare information technology industry. In his new role, Hagen will be responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Aperio‘s product development and operations teams, including manufacturing, on a global scale.

“Keith is an incredibly talented healthcare executive with a proven track record of assembling winning teams focused on building successful products and driving operational efficiencies,” said Dirk G. Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. “The addition of a strategically oriented veteran like Keith follows on the heels of adding Jared N. Schwartz, MD, PhD, as our Chief Medical Officer late last year, and underscores Aperio’s commitment to assembling an executive team that has prior experience scaling businesses in response to growing market demand. The digital pathology market is expanding rapidly, and under Keith’s direction we expect to continue to lead this space with innovative technologies and superior services."

“I am excited about joining the market and thought leader in digital pathology” commented Hagen. “I look forward to increasing Aperio’s leadership position by remaining focused on products that address customers’ unmet needs, while at the same time introducing scalable processes that will allow the company to support its rapidly growing installed base of customers.” Hagen, recognized as a strategic leader in the healthcare information technology market, is a seasoned executive with nearly 25 years of leadership experience and success improving company financial performance. He has held a range of executive-level roles at industry-leading companies, most recently serving as CEO at QuadraMed, where he was instrumental in driving a successful business turnaround resulting in significant revenue growth and profitability.

Additionally, Hagen formerly served as president and director of M. Transaction Services, Inc., a national healthcare electronic data interchange (EDI) service provider; senior vice president and CTO of Misys Hospital Systems, a leading healthcare IT company and a subsidiary of Misys PLC; and senior vice president of products and technology/CTO at Compucare. Hagen holds a bachelor of science degree in computer science from State University of New York, and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, Executive Education, Finance for Senior Executives program.

Aperio has an installed base of more than 600 systems in over 30 countries, including more than two-thirds of the top 15 rated U.S. hospitals, leading academic medical centers and reference laboratories, and 14 of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies.

About Aperio

Aperio is the leading provider of digital pathology solutions in hospital and reference labs, academic medical centers, and biopharma institutions across the world. Today, our affordable and complete product portfolio is proven to lower costs, increase efficiencies, and enhance workflow in labs everywhere. Our comprehensive product line features our ScanScope® scanners, Spectrum™ image management (PACS) software, SecondSlide™ slide sharing service for pathology, and image analysis tools and services. Aperio’s products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and education use for other applications. For clearance updates and more information please visit www.aperio.com.

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Director, Marketing Communications
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Aperio Collaborates with ADCIS on Advanced Computer-Assisted Stereology Module for Digital Pathology

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:00:00 PST

The Only Digital Pathology Platform Flexible Enough to Support Third-Party Image Analysis Tools

Vista, CA – January 6, 2010 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, in partnership with ADCIS, (Advanced Concepts in Imaging Software) of Normandy, France, has introduced a stereology software module for the quantitative evaluation of complex 3D biological structures that originate from 2D sections, built on Aperio’s digital pathology platform.

“Aperio offers the only open digital pathology platform that supports products from third-party providers, expanding the functionality of our system and ultimately creating the broadest portfolio of digital pathology solutions on the market,” said Dirk G. Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. “The stereology module is one of many new offerings resulting from such collaborative and open relationships.”

Stereology is an effective alternative to complex image processing algorithms when structures of interest are too intricate, staining is problematic, or there is too much variability between slides or within the same slide. Stereology is used in a wide variety of applications including neuropathology, pulmonary and kidney diseases, diabetes, and cancer.

Paulette Herlin, PhD, Biologist Engineer, and her team at the Francois Baclesse Cancer Center and University of Caen, Normandy, worked closely with ADCIS to extend Aperio’s digital pathology platform to perform specific image analysis applications, including the use of stereology. “It is truly a leap forward that stereology techniques have been successfully adapted for the analysis of digital images to provide pathologists with a set of tools that compute unbiased estimations of biological parameters,” stated Dr. Herlin.

The stereology module is distributed by Aperio and is fully compatible with the company’s ImageScope™ digital slide viewing software.

Aperio currently has an installed base of more than 500 systems in 31 countries, including more than two-thirds of the top 15 rated U.S. hospitals, leading academic medical centers and reference laboratories, and 14 of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies.

About ADCIS

Founded in 1995 at the Image Processing and Analysis Research Center of Caen, France, ADCIS (Advanced Concepts in Imaging Software) develops innovative, high-performance image processing software products that are marketed worldwide through a network of specialized distributors. ADCIS also performs custom engineering work, addressing vertical market applications such as 3D structure analysis, motion analysis and security, inspection, DNA quantization, chromosome classification, and video surveillance. ADCIS’ flagship software product is Aphelion, one of the most powerful and advanced imaging software used by thousands of users worldwide to solve complex applications.

About Aperio

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Director, Marketing Communications
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Aperio Awarded Patent for Client/Server Image Analysis

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:00 PST

Global Digital Pathology Leader Expands Image Analysis Patent Portfolio

Vista, CA – November 18, 2009 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company patent No. 7,602,524 entitled "Image Processing and Analysis Framework."

‘524 patent describes a system and method for processing and analyzing digital slide images comprised of an algorithm server that executes image analysis algorithms on digital (whole) slide images, or on sub-regions of a digital slide image. With this patent, Aperio extends its intellectual property portfolio to image analysis processing using a client/server architecture and distribution of digital pathology information, including support for multiple servers. A client/server architecture is a key aspect of making digital pathology useful in large labs, facilitating a more efficient workflow for busy clinicians and researchers.

Image analysis is a cutting-edge capability that uses automated analytical techniques and computer algorithms to extract quantitative information from the digital slide image, facilitating pathological interpretation. The ability to efficiently apply image analysis algorithms to digital slides is essential to automating tedious or repetitive analysis tasks such as counting cells or classifying tissue.

Aperio has a suite of image analysis applications that can be tuned for different tissue types (e.g. breast, colon, prostate), stains (e.g. HER2, ER, PR, Ki-67, P53, EGFR), reagents (e.g. Dako, Ventana) or to correlate algorithm results with other test methods (e.g. FISH, CISH). Aperio currently has FDA-cleared applications for HER2, ER and PR stained breast specimens for clinical use in pathology.

Dirk G. Soenksen, CEO of Aperio, commented, “This patent demonstrates our continued efforts to offer our customers the most powerful and flexible platform for image analysis in digital pathology. Providing a scalable client/server architecture for image analysis results in significant improvements to pathologists’ workflow and the ability to scale a system to large numbers of concurrent users and slides. This newly issued patent reinforces Aperio’s position as the pioneer and technology leader in digital pathology.”

Aperio’s patent portfolio encompasses all of the elements that comprise a digital pathology system, including digital slide creation, data management, advanced visualization and image analysis. Aperio’s intellectual property portfolio has over 60 issued and pending patents world-wide. Aperio is the global digital pathology leader with an installed base of more than 500 systems in 31 countries. .

About Aperio

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Director, Marketing Communications
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Jared N. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D., Joins Aperio as Chief Medical Officer

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 PST

Global Digital Pathology Leader Strengthens Clinical Focus with Addition of Renowned Pathologist

Vista, CA – November 12, 2009 - Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, has appointed Jared N. Schwartz, M.D., Ph.D, as its Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Dr. Schwartz, former president of the College of American Pathologists, is a leading advocate for improving patient care using technologies such as digital pathology. In his new role as Aperio’s CMO, Dr. Schwartz will continue to interact with the pathology community—including key opinion leaders, professional medical and advocacy societies, and medical directors of major clinical and regulatory organizations—about the benefits of digital pathology. In addition, he will develop and drive execution of Aperio’s clinical strategy in all medical and clinical efforts for scientific publications, product investigations and regulatory submissions. Dr. Schwartz will also provide medical input, perspective and vision to the executive management team and provide senior-level leadership for related functions.

“We are honored that a pathologist with Dr. Schwartz’s accomplishments is joining the market leader in digital pathology,” said Dirk G. Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. “We believe the clinical market is poised for rapid growth, and look forward to working together with Dr. Schwartz to develop and execute strategies for improving laboratory workflow and to identify opportunities for new image analysis tools. The medical leadership that Dr. Schwartz brings to Aperio will allow us to be more responsive to the needs of our growing installed base of clinical customers.”

Dr. Jared Schwartz commented, “The digital pathology market—fueled by demand for increased accuracy and efficiency of pathology services—is at a very exciting stage. The potential benefits of digital pathology to pathologists, clinicians and patients are compelling. In my new role as Aperio’s CMO, I see an opportunity to combine my passion for education and technology with my long-standing focus on improving patient care.”

Dr. Schwartz brings 30 years of pathology expertise to his new role as CMO, most recently serving as President of the College of American Pathologists, and Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Presbyterian Healthcare in Charlotte, North Carolina. Board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology with subspecialty boards in medical microbiology and cytopathology, he is a graduate of Duke University Medical School, where he completed his residency and fellowship training, and served as chief resident. He was appointed to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee by HHS and is a current member. He was a co-chair and author of the ASCO/CAP Guidelines on HER2, which was published in the January 2007 editions of the Journal of Clinical Oncology and Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He is currently a co-chair and one of the co-authors of the ASCO/CAP Guidelines on ER/PR, which will be published in both journals in 2010.

Aperio currently has an installed base of more than 500 systems in 31 countries, including more than two-thirds of the top 15 rated U.S. hospitals, leading academic medical centers and reference laboratories, and 14 of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies.

About Aperio

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Director, Marketing Communications
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Aperio SecondSlide Digital Slide Sharing Service Included in CAP DWS Protocol

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:00:00 PST

Innovative Pathology Platform for Collaborative Exchange of Information

Vista, CA – October 9, 2009 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry is pleased to announce that SecondSlide™, its newly launched digital slide sharing service for pathology, has been incorporated as one of the vendor solutions in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) prototype of the Diagnostic Work Station (DWS), a collaborative and heterogeneous vendor-neutral environment.

SecondSlide will be demonstrated as part of CAP’s Diagnostic Work Station at CAP ’09—THE Pathologists’ Meeting—in Washington D.C., October 11 - 13, 2009. Inclusion in the prototype is not a product endorsement by CAP.

The DWS integrates and displays software systems and programs such as the patient’s electronic health record (EHR), digital imaging, pathology reporting, and clinical decision support to help speed the diagnostic process by consolidating imaging and clinical information into a single, secure environment.

SecondSlide provides a web-based service for pathologists that enables the exchange of information such as whole-slide and photomicrograph images, documents, and commentary. Through secure transmittal of images to a global data center, images can immediately be accessed by and shared with authorized parties. The slide sharing service is compatible with a variety of commercially available image capture devices and whole-slide scanners.

“Accessing SecondSlide through CAP’s DWS allows pathologists to efficiently share digital slide images and associated information,” said Dirk Soenksen, Aperio’s chief executive officer. “Pathologists can improve the consultation process with faster turnaround time and reduced glass slide logistics. We are pleased that CAP has integrated SecondSlide into the Diagnostic Work Station prototype.”

“The goal of the DWS is to allow multi-disciplinary team members to easily share and collaborate with centralized images outside of their local environment to improve communications and streamline the diagnostic process,” said Kevin Donnelly, vice president and general manager of CAP SNOMED Terminology Solutions (STS). STS, through its Diagnostic Intelligence and Health Information Technology (DIHIT) initiative, works with CAP members and the diagnostics and HIT community to collaborate on the DWS’ design and development.

About Aperio

Aperio is the leading provider of digital pathology solutions in hospital and reference labs, academic medical centers, and biopharma institutions across the world. Today, our affordable and complete product portfolio is proven to lower costs, increase efficiencies, and enhance workflow in labs everywhere. Our comprehensive product line features our ScanScope� scanners, Spectrum™ image management (PACS) software, SecondSlide™ slide sharing service for pathology, and image analysis tools and services. Aperio’s products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and education use for other applications. For clearance updates and more information please visit www.aperio.com.

About the College of American Pathologists (CAP)

About the College of American Pathologists (CAP) The College of American Pathologists (CAP) is a not-for-profit medical society serving more than 17,000 physician members and the laboratory community throughout the world. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists and is widely considered the leader in laboratory quality assurance.

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Aperio Introduces Affordable Throughput-Based Digital Pathology Service Model for Clinical Market

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 PST

Innovative Program Ensures Maximum Productivity

Vista, CA – October 6, 2009 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, has launched a service offering that delivers a comprehensive digital pathology solution capable of achieving a guaranteed slide throughput, i.e., the ability to digitize a pre-determined number of glass slides per hour. Customers pay an affordable monthly fee that is based on their desired throughput, as part of the contract.

The Clinical Partner Service (CPS) program is designed specifically for hospitals and reference labs that need to scan batches of slides in a limited period of time on a daily basis. The CPS program enables labs to adopt digital pathology without the need for investing up-front capital. Aperio provides CPS customers with a comprehensive solution—based on a lab’s throughput needs—comprising the appropriate number of scanners, appropriate software licenses, professional services and on-going support, all wrapped into a simple monthly payment.

For additional information, Aperio representatives can be visited at booth 211 at the upcoming CAP ’09 conference in Washington, DC, October 11-14.

“The CPS program is simple and affordable, and will significantly reduce the barriers to adopting digital pathology while providing a customized solution,” said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. “This service program aligns customers’ costs with their throughput needs, and scales to meet varying workflow requirements. Pilot testing of the CPS program has been extremely successful.”

The CPS program is yet another offering that sets Aperio apart in the clinical market, in addition to Aperio’s unique multi-site integration capabilities for disparate integrated delivery networks, and the ability to interface Aperio’s digital pathology systems with lab information systems (LIS) for maximum efficiencies and streamlining of workflow.

Aperio currently has an installed base of more than 500 systems in 34 countries, including more than two-thirds of the top 15 rated U.S. hospitals, leading academic medical centers and reference laboratories, and 14 of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies.

About Aperio

Aperio is the leading provider of digital pathology solutions in hospital and reference labs, academic medical centers, and biopharma institutions across the world. Today, our affordable and complete product portfolio is proven to lower costs, increase efficiencies, and enhance workflow in labs everywhere. Our comprehensive product line features our ScanScope� scanners, Spectrum™ image management (PACS) software, SecondSlide™ slide sharing service for pathology, and image analysis tools and services. Aperio’s products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and education use for other applications. For clearance updates and more information please visit www.aperio.com.

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Aperio Partners with HistoRx to Provide Integrated Fluorescence Whole Slide Imaging System

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:00:00 PST

Fluorescence Scanner and Image Analysis Software Offer Complete Solution for Biomarker Discovery

Vista, CA and New Haven, CT – September 9, 2009 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, and HistoRx, Inc., a leader in the emerging field of tissue-based assays for targeted patient treatment, have entered into a partnership to provide an integrated solution for whole-slide imaging with fluorescence.

The partnership integrates Aperio's new ScanScope® FL, a multi-slide fluorescence scanning system designed to meet the growing demand for multiplexing with fluorescent biomarkers and quantitative analysis, with HistoRx' AQUA® (Automated Quantitative Analysis) software for fluorescent image analysis that provides in-depth scientific insights from biomarker measurements. Aperio will be a value-added reseller of the AQUA software.

Aperio CEO Dirk G. Soenksen said, "With HistoRx, we see an opportunity to meet the growing trend in scientific research and drug discovery toward the use of fluorochrome-labeled tissue markers for diagnosis, treatment selection and monitoring in cancer."

HistoRx' AQUA image analysis technology can be used for quantitative assessment of protein expression in fixed tissue by measuring the intensity of expression in a particular cellular compartment, such as the cytoplasmic or nuclear compartment. The output of the analysis, called the AQUA score, can be correlated with other parameters such as disease detection, progression, response to therapy, or expression of proteins in alternate pathways. This technology will help to advance personalized medicine by identifying and validating new drug targets.

The AQUA analysis application will interface with Aperio's Spectrum Plus™ image and data management platform, giving customers a seamless experience digitizing, viewing and analyzing fluorescence slides.

"Partnering with the global leader in digital pathology is a significant expansion of the availability of HistoRx AQUA technology," said Rana K. Gupta, CEO of HistoRx. "We are pleased to collaborate with Aperio in helping pathologists worldwide improve their ability to identify correlations between biomarker expression and patient response to therapy."

About HistoRx

HistoRx, Inc. is a leading developer of tissue-based theranostic solutions to advance individualized patient care. The company's products and services are based on proprietary AQUA® technology for tissue biomarker analysis. AQUA® software is the only platform capable of precisely measuring protein biomarker concentration with subcellular resolution in tissue sections, enabling fully objective, standardized, reproducible, and automated analysis to guide targeted drug development and therapeutic decision making. HistoRx currently helps biopharmaceutical companies advance their product pipelines by generating valuable new insights into the safety and effectiveness of targeted therapeutics in development for cancer and other diseases, and is developing clinical assays based on these insights.

About Aperio

Aperio is the leading provider of digital pathology solutions in hospital and reference labs, academic medical centers, and biopharma institutions across the world. Today, our affordable and complete product portfolio is proven to lower costs, increase efficiencies, and enhance workflow in labs everywhere. Our comprehensive product line features our ScanScope® scanners, Spectrum™ image management (PACS) software, SecondSlide™ slide sharing service for pathology, and image analysis tools and services. Aperio's products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and education use for other applications. For clearance updates and more information please visit www.aperio.com.

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Kathleen Adams
HistoRx
203.498.7500
kathleen.adams@historx.com

Aperio Earns ISO 13485:2003 Quality Management System Certification

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:00:00 PST

Validation Underscores Digital Pathology Leader's Commitment to Quality Performance

Vista, CA – August 27, 2009 – Aperio, the global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced today that it has earned the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) 13485:2003 certification for the "design, manufacture, distribution and servicing of digital image analysis systems and digital slide scanning services." Aperio's certified quality management system produces its portfolio of digital slide scanners, data management and image analysis software, and services to the stringent requirements set by ISO 13485:2003.

"This certification is an independent confirmation of our dedication to and achievement of high-quality products and services that meet the needs of our national and international customers," said Dirk G. Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "Achieving the ISO 13485:2003 certification also allows us to effectively and efficiently scale our growing business to address our customers' needs and retain our leadership position within the digital pathology marketplace."

Companies receiving the ISO 13485:2003 certification must demonstrate their ability to provide medical devices and related services that consistently meet customer and regulatory requirements. Aperio's review was performed by the BSI Group, the world's largest and most influential management systems registrar.

Globally recognized for revolutionizing digital pathology, Aperio currently has an installed base of more than 500 systems in 32 countries, including more than two-thirds of the top 15 rated U.S. hospitals, leading academic medical centers and reference laboratories, and all of the 13 largest pharmaceutical companies.

About Aperio

Aperio is the leading provider of digital pathology solutions in hospital and reference labs, academic medical centers, and biopharma institutions across the world. Today, our affordable and complete product portfolio is proven to lower costs, increase efficiencies, and enhance workflow in labs everywhere. Our comprehensive product line features our ScanScope® scanners, Spectrum™ image management (PACS) software, SecondSlide™ slide sharing service for pathology, and image analysis tools and services. Aperio's products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and education use for other applications. For clearance updates and more information please visit www.aperio.com.

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Aperio Receives Second FDA Clearance for HER2 Image Analysis Application for Breast Cancer

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:00:00 PST

Tunable Algorithm Improves Results Accuracy

Vista, CA – August 21, 2009 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the IHC HER2 Breast Tissue Image Analysis application, available through its patented digital pathology platform.

Immunohistochemistry is increasingly being used for the evaluation of therapeutic biomarkers. The IHC HER2 Breast Tissue Tunable Image Analysis application is intended for use as an aid to the pathologist and accessory to the Dako HerceptTest™ to aid in the detection and semi-quantitative measurement of HER2/new (c-erbB-2) in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded normal and neoplastic tissue. It is indicated for use as an aid in the assessment of breast cancer patients for whom HERCEPTIN® (Trastuzumab) treatment is being considered. The application can be independently tuned to accommodate a laboratory's unique staining process, providing better performance than out-of-the-box applications that use the same fixed settings across all laboratories.

"FDA clearance of Aperio's tunable image analysis algorithm is an important milestone in breast cancer pathology because it allows labs to adjust the algorithm to adapt their own staining process to yield better results," said Dirk G. Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "With this clearance, Aperio continues its quest to improve the standardization of IHC and help advance personalized medicine. The next big step in IHC standardization will be to adjust the algorithm to variations in the staining process that occur from batch to batch."

The IHC HER2 algorithm is Aperio's first FDA-cleared tunable image analysis algorithm. Aperio's digital IHC system comes with a suite of additional image analysis algorithms for research use only that can be tuned for different tissue types (e.g. colon, prostate), stains (e.g. ER, PR, Ki-67, P53, EGFR), and reagents (e.g. Dako, Ventana).

Aperio's FDA clearance encompasses the company's complete digital pathology system, including ScanScope® scanners for creating digital slide images from microscope slides, the Spectrum™ digital pathology information management system for managing, viewing, and analyzing digital slides, and the specific image analysis application that performs the automated scoring of IHC HER2 breast cancer digital slides.

About Aperio

Aperio is the leading provider of digital pathology solutions in hospital and reference labs, academic medical centers, and biopharma institutions across the world. Today, our affordable and complete product portfolio is proven to lower costs, increase efficiencies, and enhance workflow in labs everywhere. Our comprehensive product line features our ScanScope® scanners, Spectrum™ image management (PACS) software, SecondSlide™ slide sharing service for pathology, and image analysis tools and services. Aperio's products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and education use for other applications. For clearance updates and more information please visit www.aperio.com.

Contacts:
Jessica Witkowski
Aperio
760.539.1162
jessica@aperio.com

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Aperio Introduces First Digital IHC Solution with Image Analysis for Quantification of Breast Cancer

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:00:00 PST

Slides to Reports in Less Than 30 Minutes

Vista, CA – July 9, 2009 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, is pleased to announce the launch of a digital pathology solution for Immunohistochemistry (IHC) designed specifically for the clinical market. Aperio's digital IHC solution is the only commercially available FDA-cleared system allowing pathologists to run quantitative IHC image analysis while reading slides on a computer monitor.

A digital IHC system significantly streamlines clinical workflow. By using a single system to read digital IHC slides, perform quantitative image analysis, and create professional reports, pathologists can provide faster turn-around times, more informed decision-making, and accurate and consistent test results.

Eric F. Glassy, MD, medical director at Pathology Inc., stated, "After switching to Aperio's digital IHC solution from a different computer-assisted technology, we immediately experienced improved efficiency. More importantly, the interpretation algorithms offer far more control and accuracy, and the reporting capability is superior. We especially appreciate the ability to link thumb nail images on the PDF file to the actual whole slide images. The power and flexibility are simply remarkable."

The digital IHC system includes FDA-cleared algorithms for HER2, ER and PR stained breast specimens for diagnosing digital slides for clinical use in pathology. In addition, the system comes with a suite of image analysis algorithms that can be tuned for different tissue types (e.g. breast, colon, prostate), stains (e.g. HER2, ER, PR, Ki-67, P53, EGFR), reagents (e.g. Dako, Ventana) or to correlate algorithm results with other test methods (e.g. FISH, CISH).

“An integrated system is key to providing an efficient workflow for pathologists, and a major advantage over add-on image analysis systems,” said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "Pathologists can now use Aperio's sophisticated cell-based image analysis capabilities with the click of a button while reading a slide.”

Aperio's versatile digital pathology platform allows laboratories and pathologists to adopt digital pathology in applications like IHC and then expand the utility of the system to many other digital pathology services such as secondary consultations, tumor boards, quality assurance programs, and proficiency testing and training.

About Aperio

Aperio is digitizing pathology. We provide systems and services for digital pathology, which is an environment for the management and interpretation of pathology information that originates with the digitization of a glass slide. Aperio's award-winning ScanScope® slide scanning systems and Spectrum™ digital pathology information management software improve the efficiency and quality of pathology services for pathologists and other professionals. Applications include education, remote viewing, archival and retrieval, basic research and image analysis. Aperio's products are FDA cleared for specific clinical applications, and are intended for research and education use for other applications. For clearance updates and more information, please visit www.aperio.com.

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Olympus America, Hamamatsu Corp/Photonics

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:00:00 PST

Global Digital Pathology Leader Enforces Patents Covering Use of Line-Scan Cameras including TDI Arrays and Prefocus Technology in Digital Pathology Systems

Vista, CA – June 10, 2009 – Aperio, a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced today that it has filed suit for patent infringement against Olympus America, Inc., Hamamatsu Corporation and Hamamatsu Photonics KK (together, Hamamatsu). The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, alleges that Hamamatsu's NanoZoomer digital pathology system distributed by Olympus America infringes three United States patents issued to Aperio.

"Aperio has invested significant resources in research and development to create the most technologically advanced slide scanners and software systems available today," said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "Our ultra-fast line-scanning technology has contributed significantly to the creation and growth of the digital pathology market. Additionally, our innovative approaches to image acquisition and processing, including our patented prefocus technology, are poised to unlock a plethora of commercial opportunities. We have an obligation to our shareholders to protect our intellectual property. After years of repeated and unsuccessful attempts to engage Olympus America and Hamamatsu in discussions about our intellectual property, we are taking legal action to defend that property from further infringement."

Aperio's complaint accuses Olympus America and Hamamatsu of infringing three Aperio patents relating to digital pathology. The three patents asserted in the lawsuit are: United States Patent No. 6,917,696 entitled "Fully Automatic Rapid Microscope Slide Scanner," United States Patent No. 7,457,446 entitled "Fully Automatic Rapid Microscope Slide Scanner," and United States Patent No. 7,518,652 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Prefocus in a Linear Array Based Slide Scanner."

Since its inception in 1999, Aperio has built a formidable patent position to protect the valuable inventions resulting from its significant investment in research and development. Aperio's intellectual property portfolio now comprises more than 55 issued or pending patents covering slide scanning, data management, and image viewing and analysis.

Aperio has retained Quinn Emanuel Urquhart Oliver & Hedges, LLP, the premier business litigation firm in the United States, as counsel in this action.

About Aperio

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Awarded Pre-focus Patent for Use in Microscope Slide Scanners

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:00:00 PST

Global Digital Pathology Leader Adds Focal Map Technology to Growing Intellectual Property Profile

Vista, CA – May 20, 2009 – Aperio, a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company patent No. 7,518,652, covering the computation of focus information prior to scanning microscope slides. The patent advances the company's linear array-based suite of ScanScope® slide scanning systems used to create high resolution digital slide images by capitalizing on the superior focusing capabilities inherent in line scan camera systems.

The methods covered by the patent include a point-focus procedure that works by moving the microscope slide to a desired measurement location, moving the objective lens through a predefined set of height values, acquiring imagery data at each height, and determining the height of maximum contrast.

Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio said, "This new pre-focus patent represents an important addition to our growing patent portfolio and underscores Aperio's ongoing commitment to intellectual property. Many of our customers understand that Aperio's growing patent portfolio translates into broad freedom to operate, and allows Aperio to continue to be the technology leader in digital pathology without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others."

"One of the advantages of Aperio's line scanning system over conventional tiling systems is the ability to independently focus each line of pixels in the output image, which yields much sharper digital slide images overall," stated Ole Eichhorn, chief technical officer for Aperio. "Our technological leadership and focus on innovation continues to provide the most advanced solutions available to our customers in the rapidly expanding and competitive digital pathology market."

Aperio's patent portfolio encompasses all of the elements that comprise a digital pathology system, including digital slide creation, data management, advanced visualization and image analysis. Aperio holds over 30 issued patents and pending patent applications world-wide and is the digital pathology leader in the global market with an installed base of more than 500 systems in 31 countries.

About Aperio

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Expands Global Digital Pathology Presence with New Subsidiary in Asia

Tue, 05 May 2009 09:00:00 PST

Office in Tokyo Latest Milestone in Global Growth for Digital Pathology Leader

Vista, CA – May 5, 2009 – Aperio, a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, has expanded its international presence with a new subsidiary in Tokyo, Japan to meet growing market demand for the company's digital pathology solutions. The expansion is being led by Reiko Nishiguchi, sales director, to provide sales, technology, service and marketing support throughout Asia via a dedicated multi-lingual staff.

The new office strengthens Aperio's operations in Asia, where the company has been working regionally through a distributor. Japan has emerged as an important strong-hold for the company in the past two years as evidenced by numerous installations of Aperio's complete digital pathology solution which includes the ScanScope® digital slide scanning system, Spectrum™ data management software, and image analysis software. The majority of customers leveraged grant funding provided by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare to help overcome Japan's pathology-specific challenges. Business growth in China is being driven by a high level of investments by global pharmaceutical companies.

"The momentum for Aperio continues to build world-wide, as organizations turn to us for assistance in ensuring timely, global, and secure access to pathology data without the encumbrance of glass slides," said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "In countries like China, digital pathology is revolutionizing the pharmaceutical and CRO markets because the technology overcomes customs laws that often prohibit or slow down the importation and/or exportation of tissue needed for clinical trials. Because digital pathology data can be accessed via computer, pathologists now have a vastly simpler way to share slides internationally."

Aperio also has several installations throughout Singapore, Taiwan, Korea and Thailand - markets well poised for further growth. Aperio currently has an installed base of more than 500 systems in 31 countries, including more than two-thirds of the top 15 rated U.S. hospitals, leading academic medical centers and reference laboratories, and two-thirds of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies.

About Aperio

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Awarded Patent for Content Based Image Retrieval (CIBR) Technology

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:00:00 PST

Global Digital Pathology Leader Further Expands Its Patents Portfolio Enabling New Forms of Image Query

Vista, CA – April 28, 2009 – Aperio, a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company patent No. 7,502,519, covering systems and methods for image pattern recognition using vector quantization (VQ). This is Aperio's second patent on the use of VQ for pattern recognition applications.

As pathology labs, hospitals, biopharma companies and educational institutions increasingly adopt digital pathology, they generate vast libraries of digital slides that play a critical role in disease management, medical research, and education. These libraries have historically been indexed for access with text-based labels such as tissue type, patient age, or primary diagnosis.

Now, Aperio's VQ technology enables content-based image retrieval (CBIR) to allow pathologists and researchers to search libraries of digital slides using image data, and to efficiently retrieve similar images from a large image archive. The ability to search image archives using image regions of interest in addition to text-based searches represents a significant advancement in image query.

"Vector quantization is a breakthrough technology providing a novel way to perform content-based image retrieval," said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "The image pattern recognition technology covered by this patent is unique in that it does not rely on prior knowledge of image-based features, but involves statistical comparisons to imagery data that exhibit characteristics of interest."

In addition to providing an efficient way to search large libraries of digital slides for image regions that match a given image, vector quantization also allows searching for exceptions, such as regions of an image which are different from previously characterized images.

Aperio's patent portfolio encompasses all of the elements that comprise a digital pathology system, including digital slide creation, data management, advanced visualization, and image analysis. Aperio holds over 30 issued patents and pending patent applications world-wide and is the digital pathology leader in the global market with an installed base of more than 500 systems in 32 countries.

About Aperio

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Introduces Scanner for Whole Slide Imaging of Immunofluorescence and BioMarker Analysis

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:00:00 PST

Digital Pathology Leader Adds ScanScope FL® to Suite of Innovative Scanners

Vista, CA – April 20, 2009 – Today at the 100th annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) being held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio) a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, unveiled its new digital slide scanner dedicated to fluorescence whole slide scanning. The ScanScope® FL, a 5-slide fluorescence scanning system, was designed to meet the growing demand for fluorescence whole slide scanning and quantitative analysis of tissues and TMAs with multiplexed biomarkers.

The ScanScope FL acquires high-resolution multi-color digital images that can be archived permanently, eliminating concerns about fading of the fluorochromes on the glass slides over time. Image acquisition is optimized by using a monochrome camera and advanced illumination, autoexposure, and autofocus techniques.

"Many researchers have indicated that Aperio's new ScanScope FL provides superior image quality and resolution over other commercially available fluorescence scanning systems, while offering more flexibility and functionality," said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "There is also enthusiasm for our fluorescence illumination system, which uses a quad-band filter in conjunction with an excitation filter wheel."

ScanScope FL Product Overview

The ScanScope FL provides:

Faster automation with respect to tissue-finding, autofocusing, and autoexposure
A wider variety of options, and more flexibility in filter configurations
Digital slide images from up to four color channels in the default configuration, expandable if additional filter cubes are added
A versatile visualization platform, in which the images can be viewed as individual color channels or as dynamic layers
More quantitative image analysis using raw data from the 10-bit monochrome camera

In addition, the ScanScope FL shares with Aperio's brightfield systems a simple user interface, ImageScope™ visualization software, and Spectrum Plus™ image and data management platform. It also conforms with Aperio's image analysis architecture and Genie™ histology pattern recognition software.

The 2009 AACR Exhibit Show will be the largest in the Association's history, gathering together an anticipated 400 companies with the latest products and services for laboratory and clinical research. The ScanScope FL will be showcased at the Aperio booth, #221, located in Halls B1-F of the Colorado Convention Center.

About Aperio

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio and Cerner Develop Integrated Technology Solution for Anatomic Pathology

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:00:00 PST

Digital Pathology Information Management System to LIS Interface Optimizes Information Access and Workflow

Vista, CA – February 11, 2009 – Aperio, a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, and Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ:CERN), a leading supplier of healthcare information technology, announced today the development of an interface between Spectrum™, Aperio's digital pathology information management system, and the Cerner CoPathPlus®, pathology laboratory information system (LIS). The interface is designed to optimize workflow and facilitate access of digital slide images and case data between the two systems. The new technology was recently displayed at the APIII annual conference on Pathology Informatics and Diagnostic Imaging at the Marriott City Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

"Our relationship with Aperio will provide more efficient access and management of digital slide images, and will further enhance and differentiate the Cerner CoPathPlus solution for the anatomic pathology community," said Susana Coelho, Cerner CoPathPlus director. "Digital access to whole-slide image data is a significant innovation, saving pathologists and laboratory professionals a vast amount of time and expense."

"Integrating Spectrum with the CoPathPlus solution allows pathologists to archive, analyze and examine slides digitally while also accessing the demographic, clinical history and other relevant information available in the LIS," said Sylvia Asa, Pathologist-in-Chief at the University Health Network in Toronto. "This consolidates the pathologists' workflow into a single access point, bringing efficiencies and scalability, and is an exciting advancement in pathology informatics."

Aperio's digital pathology solutions enable users to achieve greater efficiency and cost savings by improving workflow processes and expanding data access, integration and reporting capabilities. Aperio's patented linear array-based ScanScope® slide scanning and Spectrum information management software enable the viewing, analysis and management of digital slides and other images in a secure multi-user, multi-site environment, from anywhere, anytime. The interface with the CoPathPlus solution will provide advanced imaging capabilities to their current pathology image capture system.

"We are honored to continue to forge relationships with respected LIS partners like Cerner to help pathology laboratory professionals world-wide realize productivity benefits," said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "Working with Cerner will provide new and exciting product offerings that benefit all of our customers and partners."

Aperio has an installed base of more than 500 systems in 28 countries, including more than two-thirds of the top 15 rated U.S. hospitals, leading academic medical centers and reference laboratories, and two-thirds of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies.

Demonstrations and full details regarding the Spectrum-CoPathPlus interface will also be available at the sixth annual Lab Info Tech Summit to be held March 16-18 in Las Vegas, NV at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino.

About Cerner

Cerner is taking the paper chart out of healthcare, eliminating error, variance and waste in the care process. With more than 6,000 clients worldwide, Cerner is the leading supplier of healthcare information technology. The following are trademarks of Cerner: Cerner and CoPathPlus. NASDAQ: CERN. For more information about Cerner, please visit our Web site at www.cerner.com.

About Aperio

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio to Present at the JP Morgan 27th Annual Healthcare Conference

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:00:00 PST

Vista, CA – January 5, 2009 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced today that Dirk Soenksen, chief executive officer, will speak at the JP Morgan 27th Annual Healthcare Conference on January 15, 2009 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. The Aperio presentation is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

This event is the premier conference of its kind, bringing together established industry leaders, emerging fast-growth companies, innovative technology creators, and global service providers. This year they expect more than 300 companies, both public and private, to deliver presentations over four days of simultaneous sessions to more than 3,500 investors. The format is 30 minute presentations followed by 30 minute Q&A sessions.

During his session, Mr. Soenksen will provide an overview of the digital pathology market, and discuss Aperio's strategies for leveraging its market leadership position to capitalize on this emerging multi-billion dollar market.

Interested parties are invited to access the presentation live and in replay via webcast at www.aperio.com.

About Aperio

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Receives Patent for Creating and Viewing 3D Digital Slides

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

Digital Pathology Leader Expands Scope of Patent Portfolio from Histology to Cytology

Vista, CA – December 22, 2008 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company patent No. 7,463,761 entitled "Systems and Method for Creating and Viewing Three Dimensional Virtual Slides."

U.S. patent 7,463,761 includes claims for the general technique of acquiring two-dimensional digital slide images, and using this two-dimensional image as a map for subsequently acquiring three-dimensional images known as z-stacks. "The ability to create and view z-stacks while a glass slide is still in the scanner is critical for specimens that have multiple focal planes, such as frozen sections for example," said Ole Eichhorn, Aperio's chief technical officer.

The ‘761 patent also includes claims for the high-performance remote viewing of three-dimensional digital slides across a network, including the Internet. "The ability to create and efficiently view three-dimensional whole slide images makes it possible for Aperio to extend the benefits of digital pathology to the field of cytology, including Pap smears," said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "The recent expansion of our patent portfolio to encompass TDI-, fluorescence- and 3D-scanning, viewing, and analysis continues to reassure customers that Aperio has the broadest freedom to operate in all niches of digital pathology."

Aperio's patent portfolio encompasses all of the elements that comprise a digital pathology system, including digital slide creation, data management, advanced visualization, and image analysis. Aperio holds over 30 issued patents and pending patent applications world-wide and is the digital pathology leader in the global market with an installed base of 500 systems in 28 countries.

About Aperio

Media Inquiries:
Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Product Inquiries:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Receives Second Patent for Use of TDI Arrays in Microscope Slide

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

Digital Pathology Leader Broadens Patent Portfolio to Encompass Fluorescence Imaging

Vista, CA – December 9, 2008 – Aperio, a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the company patent No. 7,457,446 entitled "Fully Automatic Rapid Microscope Slide Scanner."

U.S. patent 7,457,446 includes specific claims for the use of time delay integration (TDI) arrays in slide scanning systems, including the use of multiple TDI arrays in conjunction with a prism to split an optical signal into multiple color channels. "This is the second patent we have received in the last 60 days that covers the use of TDI arrays for whole slide imaging," said Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "Time delay integration is ideally suited for low light level applications such as fluorescence, and we're pleased that the ‘446 patent includes specific claims regarding the use of TDI arrays for fluorescence imaging."

Aperio's patent portfolio encompasses all of the elements that comprise a digital pathology system, including digital slide creation, data management, advanced visualization, and image analysis. "Intellectual property will become more and more important as digital pathology becomes a critical technology in pathology laboratories," added Soenksen. "Our broad and growing patent portfolio provides us with the freedom to develop products to address current and future needs of our customers."

Aperio holds over 30 issued patents and pending patent applications world-wide and is the digital pathology leader in the global market with an installed base of more than 450 systems in 28 countries.

About Aperio

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Contact:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Introduces SecondSlide Digital Slide Sharing Network

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:00:00 PST

Digital pathology leader improves laboratory efficiency with affordable service offering

Vista, CA – December 4, 2008 – Aperio Technologies, Inc., (Aperio), a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, introduces SecondSlide, a service for sharing digital slides (whole slide images) from multiple sources, for multiple purposes.

SecondSlide improves lab efficiency and reduces costs associated with managing glass slides by providing pathologists with web-based access to a variety of digital slides, including H&Es, IHCs, frozen sections, pap smears, blood smears, and Gram stains. SecondSlide is compatible with digital slides created by current slide scanners, and supports digital grossing stations and images captured from cameras mounted on microscopes. "SecondSlide makes digital pathology more affordable for low-to-moderate volume slide sharing applications," said Dirk Soenksen, Aperio's chief executive officer. "Customers can pay a monthly fee that includes a custom-configured scanner and usage of the slide sharing network, or they can utilize a SecondSlide scanning center. Interest has been phenomenal."

SecondSlide helps pathology groups, hospitals, and IDNs provide pathology expertise in multiple locations—including at remote or satellite locations—at different times. For clinical trials sponsors, SecondSlide facilitates confirmatory diagnoses and will improve the consistency of histological interpretations.

Customers gain rapid and secure web access to digital slides and associated data from SecondSlide's data center. The SecondSlide data center runs Spectrum™, Aperio's web-based information management (pathology PACS) software, providing access to functions such as digital slide conferencing, image analysis, and archival/retrieval. Customers can also use the data center to create and access digital slide repositories for self-education, tumor boards, and decision support.

Digital slides can be copied to the data center from remotely-located slide scanners. Remote scanners communicate with the data center using only outbound connections that require no modifications to an institution's firewall, overcoming the major technical hurdle for the widespread adoption of digital slide sharing. Alternatively, customers can send glass slides to a scanning center for subsequent digital slide access from the data center.

Jared Schwartz, MD, PhD, Director of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Presbyterian Healthcare in Charlotte, NC and President of the College of American Pathologists said, "SecondSlide will benefit hospitals in rural areas with no sub-specialty expertise because it will allow them ready access to specialists with the expertise they require for the best patient care."

The SecondSlide digital slide sharing service will be commercially available in the first quarter of 2009. For additional information please go to www.secondslide.com.

About Aperio

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Contact:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com

Aperio Receives Second FDA Clearance for Diagnosis of Digital Breast Cancer Slides

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:00 PST

Digital Pathology Leader Establishes Regulatory Path for Emerging Digital Pathology Industry

Vista, CA – November 18, 2008 – Aperio, a global leader in digital pathology for the healthcare and life sciences industry, has received its second FDA clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for reading digital PR (Progesterone Receptor) slides from a computer monitor using its patented ScanScope® digital slide scanning system. Aperio previously received FDA clearance for the reading of digital HER2 slides from a computer monitor in December 2007.

The ScanScope System is intended for use as an aid to the pathologist in the detection and quantitative measurement of PR (Progesterone Receptor) by manual examination of the digital slide of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded normal and neoplastic tissue immunohistochemically stained for PR on a computer monitor. It is indicated for use as an aid in the management, prognosis, and prediction of therapy outcomes of breast cancer.

"Aperio's FDA clearances for diagnosing digital HER2 and PR immunohistochemistry slides on a computer monitor demonstrate that our digital pathology system is equivalent to diagnosing glass IHC slides under a microscope," stated Dirk Soenksen, CEO of Aperio. "Digital pathology is becoming an essential technology for improving the quality and efficiency of pathology services, and these FDA clearances will encourage wider adoption. Aperio is also pursuing FDA clearance for diagnosing digital H&E slides."

Aperio is the first and only company to receive FDA clearances for diagnosing digital slides for clinical use in pathology. All of Aperio's FDA clearances encompass the company's complete digital pathology system, including its ScanScope slide scanners for creating digital slide images from glass microscope slides, and the SpectrumTM information management (pathology PACS) software for managing, viewing, and analyzing digital slides. Aperio is the global technology and market share leader in digital pathology, with an installed base of more than 450 systems in 28 countries, including more than two-thirds of the top 15 rated U.S. hospitals, leading academic medical centers and reference laboratories, and more than two-thirds of the top 15 pharmaceutical companies.

About Aperio

Myla Wagner
Myla Wagner Public Relations
925.736.7515
myla@mylawagnerpr.com

Contact:
Kevin Whiteley
Vice President, Marketing
Aperio
760.539.1177
kwhiteley@aperio.com