Telepathology in Global Drug Safety Research

Akira INOMATA, DVM, PhDDrug Safety Laboratories

Eisai Co., Ltd.Oct 27, 2008

The Role of Telepathology in Eisai Global Drug Safety Research

Along with accelerating overseas operations and the ever expanding role of pathologists today, the need for telepathology has been increasing. Today, I will introduce the current status and future vision for implementing telepathology in our drug safety research programs worldwide.

Contents

• Where are we?– Japan– Worldwide

• Past – Present – Future• Past – Present – Future• Past – Present – Future• Hurdles

TokyoTsukubaTsukuba

KawashimaKawashima

400 km400 km

HOKKAIDO

KYUSHU

HONSHU

SHIKOKU

SEA OF JAPAN

PACIFIC OCEAN

Boston – NYBoston – NY350Km350Km

Where are we?- Japan -

Boston

Tsukuba Kawashima

Where are we?- Worldwide -

Past – Present – FutureCommunication between pathologists• Personal

Face to faceTeleconference with pdf/tiff/ppt images in shared data base Phone, e-mail, etc. ….

• InstrumentRemote-operated microscope

Very useful, but only ONE slide can be set and SLOW operation.

Growing Needs for Efficient Telepathology System

On-time, speedy operation, high-resolution, On-time, speedy operation, high-resolution,

multiple slides, view images on PC …multiple slides, view images on PC …

Choosing Digital Microscope System

Points taken into accountHardware : Speed, capacity, user-friendlySoftware : Regional technical service/staff

and … how to convince pathologistsand … how to convince pathologists

• Remote-controlled microscope• Scan-scope

Good sales performanceJapanese representative

Aperio ScanScope® XT

• Network formation

• ImageScope® installationstudy pathologist, study director, project representative, histo-technician, etc.

– Limiting one’s authority to access images/folders– Organizing folders to ensure easy access to images– Viewing images outside company via internal LAN

Past – Present – Future

Kawashima Tsukuba

Server PC

Feedback from users

Past – Present – Future

“Like a google map!”

“Amazing!” “Want to

analyze

images”

“Want to use this at

scientific meetings!” “Can we use

this

for

consu

ltant’s

review?”

Now we can …

– observe prior to internal/peer review meeting

– discuss on time with other pathologists

– share with non-pathologists and explain

– feedback of timely to overseas colleagues

We are planning to …

– allow outside consultants/experts to enable the above

– facilitate meetings

– Save time and budget

Past – Present – Future

Network our sites worldwide and consultants from their offices

Past – Present – Future

Virtual Slide to Virtual Lab

Hurdles

• Network formation with outside company– Internal LAN?– Independent network?

• Compatible with GLP– Diagnosis by digital image

It’s not a hurdle, but… pathologists will be It’s not a hurdle, but… pathologists will be unable to escape from their job anywhere in unable to escape from their job anywhere in the world!the world!

In the hotel room in New Jersey, July 21, 2008

Thank you for your attention!