FFEI receives Institute of Physics Business Innovation Award

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FFEI Ltd has announced that the Institute of Physics (IOP) has recognised FFEI for the development of advanced imaging technology in the field of digital pathology, by awarding the IOP Business Innovation Award 2019.

The IOP Business Innovation Awardspecifically recognises and celebrates companies that have excelled in innovation, delivering significant economic and/or societal impact through the application of physics. FFEI was just one of five businesses winning the Innovation Awards from the IOP, with representatives from the company receiving their award at a Parliamentary reception in London on 16 October 2019.

As cited by the IOP, the award is in recognition of FFEI’s development of advanced whole slide imaging technology used within the Roche Ventana DP 200 slide scanner. The technology enables the generation of ultra high resolution colour calibrated digital images, which has enabled the wider adoption of digital pathology in human tissue clinical cancer diagnostics. This is helping to save lives by dramatically reducing cycle times to diagnosis.

FFEI developed three new capabilities to increase the speed, quality and accuracy of digital images produced – focus tracking, colour profiling and mechanical accuracy.

Andy Cook, CEO of FFEI, said on winning this award, ‘I am delighted that our development team have been recognised with this Innovation award from the IOP. Over the past 15 years we have been investing heavily in creating new digital imaging technologies for improving the application of digital pathology. As a UK based SME it is very satisfying to see these technology investments achieving commercial success through our global partners’ products.’

Institute of Physics president, Jonathan Flint, said: ‘The application of physics has the potential to produce cutting edge technologies, and to drive business innovation and growth. It also fuels significant positive societal and economic transformation, both locally and globally.’

Dr Joachim H Schmid, vice president, research and development at Roche Tissue Diagnostics, commented: ‘As a result of our great collaboration with FFEI, Roche Diagnostics is able to deliver industry leading image quality in the Ventana DP 200 slide scanner. Roche Diagnostics commitment to investing in UK healthcare and innovation in Digital Pathology has brought us one step closer to delivering personalised healthcare, benefiting cancer patients in the UK.’

The Institute of Physics (IOP) is the professional body and learned society for physics, and the leading body for practising physicists, in the UK and Ireland.

The winners will be presented with their awards at a ceremony in the Houses of Parliament at an evening recognising entrepreneurship and excellence in physics and innovation.