VirtualScopics, Inc. Collaborates with Large Pharmaceutical Company on a Philanthropic, Epidemiology Study in Africa
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- VirtualScopics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSCP), a leading provider of clinical trial imaging solutions, announced today, they are collaborating with a large pharmaceutical company providing support for a new philanthropic, epidemiology study partnering with the Ministry of Health in Africa. VirtualScopics has teamed up with a cardiac sonographer to acquire echocardiograms from children in Zambia. The image results will be used to identify children with rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which is extremely prevalent in Africa.
RHD, most commonly caused by rheumatic fever secondary to a strep throat (streptococcal) infection, leads to damage of the valves in the heart. The disease is most common in children and young adults living in under-developed countries and is responsible for about 233,000 deaths annually. Overcrowding, poor housing and lack of access to adequate healthcare play a role in the spread of the disease.
The current RHD study involves imaging up to 3,000 children in 50 Lusaka-based schools in Africa. Joseph Oliveri, a cardiac sonographer based in Rochester, recently traveled to Zambia, Africa on behalf of VirtualScopics to train local staff on how to use a portable hand-held echocardiography V-scanner and to assist in the initial screening efforts. VirtualScopics will conduct a remote quality inspection of the images as they are collected in the field and transmit the data to Mr. Oliveri for analysis.
Regarding his efforts in the project, Mr. Oliveri stated "To be honest, I was a little reluctant to go, but it was too good of an experience to pass up. I am extremely glad that I went, this was an amazing experience that I will never forget. I'm proud to say that I was/am part of such a great study that will help many Zambian children."
Eric Converse, Chief Executive Officer, stated "This has been an exciting opportunity for VirtualScopics to represent the ultimate goal of impacting individuals affected by disease and disability. Through our Scientific Advisory Board [SAB], we have been able to assist a large pharmaceutical company with its efforts in Africa." Dr. Karl Schwarz, a member of the SAB facilitated the collaboration between VirtualScopics and Mr. Oliveri. The SAB was formed to provide a forum for key alliance scientists to work with external experts to map current and future roles for imaging in a number of disease categories.
Mr. Converse continued "This collaboration is a chance to highlight the real human side of what we do and why many of us stay in the world of clinical trials – we want to make a difference."
For more information on VirtualScopics, Inc. and the SAB please visit www.virtualscopics.com.
About VirtualScopics, Inc.
VirtualScopics, Inc. (NASDAQ:VSCP) is a leading provider of clinical trial imaging solutions to accelerate drug and medical device development. For risk-averse, time-constrained Clinical Trial Study Teams, Medical Directors and Imaging Scientists who require quality imaging data delivered on-time, within budget and on a consistent basis, VirtualScopics' clinical trial imaging solutions are an inspired true exception to commonly-accepted services provided by other clinical trial imaging providers. Because of the scientific and operational flexibility and responsiveness they can offer, VirtualScopics' clinical trial imaging solutions deliver special performance advantages compared to other image service providers that offer common, everyday clinical trial imaging services.
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For More Information, Contact:
Donna N. Stein, APR, Fellow PRSA
Managing Partner
Donna Stein & Partners
315-361-4672
Email: [email protected]
SOURCE VirtualScopics, Inc.
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