History
2023: Bayer bought Blackford Analysis
On January 18, 2023, the German chemical-pharmaceutical corporation Bayer announced the conclusion of an agreement to buy Blackford Analysis, a British developer of artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
Blackford provides infrastructure and access to a rich ecosystem of clinical applications (ClinApp) designed for data visualization and analytics. The company's solutions, in particular, help diagnose diseases from medical images. Blackford works in partnership with leading healthcare organizations and leading technology providers. The deal is reportedly part of Bayer's strategy to drive innovations in radiology, including the development and use of advanced AI tools. The ultimate goal is to increase treatment effectiveness and improve patient care.
The addition of Blackford and its AI technologies to our family of radiology products will provide Bayer with a strong position in the fastest growing segment of the global radiology industry. This acquisition reinforces our desire to innovate in digital healthcare, "said Stefan Oelrich, board member of Bayer AG and president of Bayer's pharmaceutical division. |
Under the terms of the signed agreement, Blackford will continue to operate as an independent entity. The company will continue to be responsible for the development of AI technologies, partnerships and ClinApp solutions. At the same time, Blackford will have the opportunity to improve development efficiency and speed of product launch on the market thanks to Bayer's rich experience and extensive infrastructure. Nothing is reported about the financial side of the transaction. The merger is expected to be completed at the end of 2023 after obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.[1]