GE HealthCare today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Intelligent Ultrasound Group PLC’s (Intelligent Ultrasound) clinical artificial intelligence (AI) software business for total consideration of approximately $51 million. Intelligent Ultrasound is a leader in integrated AI-driven image analysis tools designed to make ultrasound smarter and more efficient. GE HealthCare plans to incorporate these solutions across the ultrasound portfolio, strengthening its capabilities with technology that helps improve workflows and enhance ease-of-use for the benefit of clinicians and patients.
Intelligent Ultrasound has pioneered the ScanNav Assist AI technology, which powers SonoLystlive and SonoLyst X/IR, available on GE HealthCare’s Voluson Expert and Voluson Signature ultrasound devices. SonoLyst is also currently available on the Voluson SWIFT. By acquiring this business, GE HealthCare also adds an AI innovation pipeline that serves to help advance future development and realize long-term efficiencies.
GE HealthCare plans to welcome the team of research and development experts from Intelligent Ultrasound, who will help drive AI-enabled image recognition and innovation for GE HealthCare Women’s Health ultrasound devices as well as across the broader portfolio. This agreement follows GE HealthCare’s acquisition of Caption Health in 2023, which added new capabilities in AI-enabled image guidance and AI development expertise to aid in early disease detection in other areas.
These technologies are especially vital to relieving burdens placed on sonographers. As exams are becoming more complex, 81 percent of hospitals report radiology technologist shortages, and 90 percent of sonographers report work-related musculoskeletal disorders due to workload and repetitive motions, among other factors. Streamlined workflows and AI-enabled protocols can reduce manual processes, provide greater reproducibility between users, and allow clinicians to focus more on patient care.
This agreement bolsters GE HealthCare’s portfolio of AI-enabled devices— which presently tops the FDA’s list of AI-enabled device authorizations across medical technology companies—and supports the Company’s precision care strategy to solve for inefficiencies in the clinical care workflow and improve patient care quality across the care pathway. With the sale of its clinical AI business, Intelligent Ultrasound will continue to operate with a renewed focus on its world-class, high-fidelity ultrasound simulation technology designed to enhance ultrasound education.
The consummation of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in Q4 2024. Additional details of the transaction have not been disclosed publicly. GE HealthCare intends to fund this transaction with cash on hand.
