The fast spread of the highly infectious Delta variant underscores the need for faster identification of COVID-19 mutations. Uniting governments and medical communities in this challenge, the University of Oxford and Oracle's Global Pathogen Analysis System (GPAS) is now being used by organizations on nearly every continent.

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced the introduction of the Roche Digital Pathology Open Environment that allows software developers to easily integrate their image analysis tools for tumour tissue with Roche's uPath enterprise software, an application for pathologist workflow. This open environment allows for the secure exchange and flow of data so that pathologists can access advanced algorithms from third parties alongside Roche's menu of artificial intelligence-based image analysis tools.

An app is being launched to help patients with long term conditions manage their health via care plans accessed on their phone. Unity, by mobile health provider, Health Fabric, will be licensed by participating GP practices, which can then offer the system to patients so they can be more proactive in their care.

Through a year-long collaboration with a number of leading healthcare institutions across the globe, Siemens Healthineers has developed the Atellica COVID-19 Severity Algorithm,(1) a model designed to help predict the potential liklihood of progression to severe disease and life-threatening multiorgan dysfunction in COVID-19 patients.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed an online tool to help medical staff quickly determine which COVID-19 patients will need help breathing with a ventilator.

The tool, developed through analysis of CT scans from nearly 900 COVID-19 patients diagnosed in 2020, was able to predict ventilator need with 84% accuracy.

Bittium Biosignals Ltd, a subsidiary of Bittium Corporation, and British ECG service provider, Technomed Limited, have today signed an agreement under which Bittium will purchase a 25 percent stake in Technomed's capital stock. The agreement will strengthen the partnership between the companies in the development of ECG technology that measure the electrical activity of the heart.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has named eight companies as finalists in the Accenture HealthTech Innovation Challenge, which brings together leading-edge startups with prominent health companies to tackle some of North America's greatest health challenges.

Attracting more than 2,600 startup applicants in the past five years, the Accenture HealthTech Innovation Challenge supports finding innovative approaches and solutions to help create better healthcare access, experiences and ultimately outcomes for all people.