Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany to Develop Automated Diagnostic Tool for Neglected Tropical Diseases together with Janssen

• Combined efforts aim to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) technology that detects both schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis
• AI technology has the potential to improve diagnostic efficiency, data accuracy and decision making for mass drug administration programs
• Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has been fighting against the neglected tropical disease schistosomiasis since 2007 

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V., part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based diagnostic tool to improve the detection of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH).

“The world is currently facing a major health crisis while vulnerable patients suffering from NTDs continue to require treatment and care,” said Béatrice Greco, Head of Research & Development at the Global Health Institute of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. “We are extremely proud of this unique partnership with Janssen. Together, we are joining forces to improve the accuracy of diagnostic methods used for several NTDs and to reduce the burden of reporting and surveillance for countries.”

Control and gradual elimination of these diseases are crucial and require the development of advanced innovative technologies to diagnose patients, who are often co-infected with multiple pathogens. Data quality is an essential component of making informed treatment decisions and coordinating mass drug administration campaigns that target NTDs.

The prototype which is currently being tested consists of an automated microscope with AI and data visualization tool. The AI counts parasite eggs that would develop into parasitic worms of either schistosomiasis or STH. This automated counting process is aimed at being both faster and more reliable than the current survey method, in which a lab technician counts the eggs in each sample manually. Digital data storage and data visualization will improve the clinical decision making for drug administration by the countries. The prototype testing will continue throughout 2020 and move into the clinical utility testing phase in 2021 through 2023.

Schistosomiasis is a chronic condition and one of the most common and most devastating parasitic diseases in tropical countries.  Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has been fighting against this NTD with its partner, the World Health Organization (WHO), since 2007 in the scope of its Schistosomiasis Elimination Program and donates up to 250 million of praziquantel tablets for treatment per year. The company and WHO committed themselves to continue their work in fighting the disease until its elimination. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany has been implementing a comprehensive approach combining treatment, research and development, health education and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) to control transmission and eliminate the disease.

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany uses AI in many different areas of its three businesses. In its Healthcare business for example, the company uses AI in drug discovery as a way to accelerate the process and to reduce its costs. Other AI use cases have been made in areas as diverse as material sciences, digital pathology or information extraction from patents. Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany also cooperates with other companies in the area of AI such as Iktos, Cyclica, China’s Ping An Good Doctor and Aera Technology. Additionally, an interdisciplinary team of mathematicians, computer scientists, and neuroscientists aims to rethink the foundations of artificial and biological intelligence as an inhouse research team.