Stanford Medicine and LEADOPTIK Announce Research Collaboration to Advance AI-Enhanced, Real-Time Optical Imaging in Lung Cancer Biopsy

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LEADOPTIK Inc., a Silicon Valley-based medical imaging company today announced that it has entered into a research collaboration with Stanford Medicine to explore the use of AI-enhanced real-time optical imaging in lung biopsy procedures. This partnership will evaluate how high-resolution imaging can improve lesion assessment and biopsy accuracy while also contributing to the advancement of smart tools designed to support clinical decision-making.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with survival rates heavily dependent on early detection and timely intervention. However, diagnosing small, peripheral lung nodules remains a significant challenge, often leading to inconclusive biopsies and treatment delays. This collaboration aims to integrate real-time optical imaging into biopsy workflows, providing physicians with immediate insights at the point of care and enabling a deeper understanding of tissue microstructure that could support future advancements in AI-driven analysis.

Stanford Medicine's Interventional Pulmonology Program will play a leading role in evaluating this technology's potential for lung biopsy procedures. As a recognized leader in minimally invasive pulmonary diagnostics, Stanford will assess how high-resolution microstructural visualization, combined with emerging AI-powered image interpretation, can refine sample collection strategies and improve patient outcomes. By analyzing detailed optical imaging data in real-world clinical settings, the collaboration aims to enhance diagnostic precision and lay the foundation for more intelligent, image-guided decision-making.

"Stanford Medicine is committed to evaluating and advancing technologies that have the potential to transform patient care," said Dr. Harmeet Bedi, Director of Interventional Pulmonology. "This collaboration allows us to assess whether real-time optical imaging, paired with data-driven insights, can enhance lung cancer diagnostics and improve biopsy precision."

Dr. Brian Shaller, Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Director of the IP Fellowship, added, "Real-time optical imaging represents a promising shift in lung biopsy procedures. By providing high-resolution visualization at the point of care, we can refine diagnostic strategies, optimize tissue sampling, and improve patient outcomes."

LEADOPTIK, a company at the forefront of real-time optical imaging for interventional procedures, is developing technology that provides high-resolution, real-time visualization directly to physicians. The imaging data collected through this collaboration will help refine the application of advanced analytics, further supporting clinical adoption of intelligent imaging solutions.

"This partnership with Stanford marks an important step in further validating our unique real-time imaging and exploring how advanced image analysis can further support physicians," said Reza Khorasaninejad, CEO of LEADOPTIK. "By combining cutting-edge imaging with emerging smart tools, we aim to improve the precision of lung biopsy procedures and enable more confident clinical decision-making."

This initiative highlights Silicon Valley's role as a global hub for medical innovation, where leading academic institutions and pioneering startups collaborate to bring transformative healthcare solutions into clinical practice.

About Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine is a leader in biomedical research, patient care, and medical education. Its Interventional Pulmonology Program specializes in minimally invasive lung procedures, focusing on innovation to improve diagnostic and therapeutic outcomes for lung cancer and other pulmonary diseases. Through cutting-edge research and clinical excellence, Stanford remains at the forefront of advancing medical technologies that enhance patient care.

About LEADOPTIK

LEADOPTIK is a Silicon Valley-based company pioneering AI-enhanced real-time optical imaging at the point of biopsy. By integrating high-resolution microstructural visualization with emerging analytics, the LIA system bridges the gap between diagnosis, and therapy, supporting more precise and informed decision-making in interventional pulmonology and beyond.

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SOURCE LEADOPTIK