As the world’s best cyclists race through the French countryside in the Tour de France, we see a striking reflection of our own journey at DigitCells. The parallels between this grueling race and our start-up’s path in digital pathology resonate deeply, highlighting the teamwork, resilience, and innovation required to succeed in both arenas.
Much like the Tour, our team is a carefully selected peloton of experts. Pathologists, scientists, clinical engineers, and IT professionals – we all play a crucial role, optimizing our positions to move forward. In this competitive landscape, we’ve already achieved significant milestones this year, partnering with world-renowned pathologists and tripling our user base. We’ve also successfully implemented our platform at five pilot sites, including institutions such as OSU, MGH, and Vanderbilt University.
Our visionary CEO, our “Yellow Jersey,” sets the pace, guiding us through the ever-changing terrain of pathology, while the Sales and Marketing team, sprinting for points like the “Green Jersey,” fuels our growth and visibility. Meanwhile, our R&D team, akin to the “Polka Dot Jersey”, tackles the steepest technical challenges, innovating solutions that redefine the field. Much like the engineers who design cutting-edge bicycles for Tour riders, our tech team has developed TWOD, a tissue optimization platform that streamlines digital pathology workflows, reducing lab processing and pathologist review time by up to 35%. And our young engineers, the “White Jerseys” of our team, inject fresh energy and perspective, ensuring we stay ahead of the curve.
Just as the Tour de France is filled with crashes and setbacks, our journey in pathology has not been without its challenges. We have encountered failed projects, missed deadlines, and occasional missteps along the way. However, these experiences, much like the scars a cyclist bear, have only fueled our determination and taught us valuable lessons. We remain resilient, committed to our mission, and trust in the expertise and dedication of our team.
AI, the “performance-enhancing drug” of digital pathology, presents a unique challenge and opportunity. While it promises to revolutionize diagnostics, we recognize the potential for inequity. Our numerous research studies, utilizing digital pathology to improve diagnostic outcomes and validate new algorithms, mirror the efforts to ensure fair play in the Tour. We strive to develop AI solutions that are accessible and equitable for all, just as the rise of African cyclists like Biniam Girmay symbolizes a more level playing field in the sport.
Our vision for the future is to bridge the gap between pathologists and patients in need of specialized expertise. We envision a world where digital and molecular pathology is the standard of care, ensuring that every patient, regardless of location or resources, has access to the best possible diagnostic service. In this pursuit, we are more than just a team of experts; DigitCells offers a complete solution, encompassing high-quality scanning hardware, comprehensive IMS and LIS software to connect the workflow, advanced tissue optimization tools like TWOD, and robust information security measures. We are the expert peloton, fully equipped to tackle any challenge and lead the way in transforming patient care.
As we navigate our own Tour de France in the world of diagnostic pathology, we embrace these lessons, knowing that every crash, every setback, only fuels our determination to reach the finish line – a world where digital pathology transforms patient care and empowers pathologists worldwide.
Author
Scott Kilcoyne
DigitCells Cofounder & COO
