Start of new IHI project to advance imaging in arthritis
AutoPix-project
EU-funded project in search of a more precise diagnosis, treatment, and assessment of arthritis.
European research partners, pharmaceutical companies, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and patient organisations have joined forces under the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) public-private partnership to improve the diagnosis, treatment decisions, and monitoring of major rheumatic diseases. The newly launched IHI AutoPiX project will leverage AI to make clinical imaging more interpretable to scientists, clinicians, and patients.
Vienna, 9 December 2024 — To enhance imaging biomarkers for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis, the IHI-funded AutoPiX project brings together world-class pharmaceutical and medical technology partners with leading academic institutions.
These immune-mediated inflammatory diseases affect millions of people across Europe—approximately 4 million for rheumatoid arthritis, 1.3 million for psoriatic arthritis, and 3 to 5 million for axial spondyloarthritis. They share challenges, including the need for timely diagnosis at non-specialist institutions, early and targeted intervention, and effective monitoring.
The AutoPiX consortium aims to address critical unmet medical needs in imaging in rheumatology. These include limited access to specific techniques, such as ultrasound outside reference centres and hospitals, and precision gaps in selecting the most suitable treatments for arthritis. AI-supported imaging biomarkers could enhance precision medicine and early diagnosis and enable accessible narratives for clinicians and patients. In the words of AutoPiX Coordinator Prof. Daniel Aletaha from the Medical University of Vienna, “We will bring imaging closer to the practising clinician and the patient, ensuring that it becomes more accessible, interpretable, and clinically relevant for disease management that requires high levels of expertise”.
A significant commitment of the project is to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of imaging. “We have an opportunity to minimize the burden associated with imaging and make the interpretation more efficient and objective,” says the consortium Project Lead, Rob Janiczek, PhD, Director of Clinical Science Imaging (Janssen R&D LLC), representative of the Project Leader Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a Johnson & Johnson company.
In the long term, the tools developed in AutoPiX have the potential to benefit patients by providing a more precise diagnosis, personalised treatment paths, and reliable assessments of their response to treatments.
The project will span five years and has a total budget of over €20 million. It is funded by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), a Public-Private Partnership between the European Union and Europe’s life science industries. This budget is equally divided, with 50% contributed by the EU and 50% from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industry (EFPIA) and other industry partners.
The AutoPiX project officially started on November 1st, 2024, and the Kick-Off Meeting will take place in Vienna from December 10th to 11th, 2024.
***********************************
Project Key Facts
Full Name: IHI-AUTOPIX - IMAGING FOR PATIENT BENEFIT IN ARTHRITIS
Start date: 1st November 2024
Duration: 60 months
Budget: 20 Mil. €
Coordinator: Medizinische Universität Wien, Prof. Dr Daniel Aletaha, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peter Mandl
Project Leader: Johnson & Johnson, Robert Janiczek, PhD
Website: https://www.autopix-project.eu
Project Partners
Austria
Medizinische Universität Wien
AGES - Österreichische Agentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit
Belgium
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, an affiliate of Johnson & Johnson
UCB
Denmark
Region Hovedstaden
ROPCA ApS
France
Scienta Lab
Germany
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
EURICE – European Research and Project Office GmbH
Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Spain
Instituto De Salud Musculoesquelética, SL
Singularity Biomed, SL
Sweden
Collective Minds Radiology AB
Switzerland
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois
European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology
MoonLake Immunotherapeutics AG
Novartis Pharma AG
United Kingdom
Queen Mary University of London
Patient Organisation involved in the project:
EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology)
Contact
Project Coordinator:
Medizinische Universität Wien
Chair of Rheumatology, Head of Division of Rheumatology
Prof Dr Daniel Aletaha
Assoc. Prof Dr Peter Mandl
https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/
Project Management:
EURICE GmbH
Dr Silke von Sehlen
EFPIA Project Lead:
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Johnson & Johnson)
Director, Digital Measurement Strategy
Robert Janiczek, PhD
https://innovativemedicine.jnj.com/
About IHI
The Innovative Health Initiative is a public-private partnership between the European Union and the life sciences industry to advance health research and innovation. Established to address public health needs, IHI funds projects that leverage diverse scientific fields, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical technology, to improve patient outcomes and enhance the competitiveness of Europe’s health industries. The initiative integrates various sectors to develop innovative healthcare solutions that cover prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and disease management.
More here: https://www.ihi.europa.eu/
About Medical University Wien
The Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Wien) is a premier medical research and education institution boasting nearly 650 years of history. As the largest medical school in Europe, it serves over 8,000 students and employs over 6,000 staff, including around 3,500 researchers. MedUni Wien supports the University Hospital Vienna, which has 1,742 beds and provides care for over 1 million outpatients and 60,000 inpatients annually. Known for its innovative projects, MedUni Wien emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration with various partners to enhance patient outcomes. The institution operates modern simulation centres for training healthcare professionals and engages in extensive research across fields like computational medicine and molecular biology.
More here: https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/en/
About Janssen Pharmaceutica NV
Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is a key player in the global pharmaceutical industry, based in Beerse, Belgium. Founded by Dr Paul Janssen in 1953, the company has grown into one of the largest pharmaceutical firms worldwide, employing over 10,000 people and operating in 150 countries. Janssen is recognised for its focus on innovation and research and for developing treatments in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious diseases. Dedicated to addressing unmet medical needs, Janssen collaborates with healthcare professionals and academic institutions to enhance patient care. Its extensive experience in clinical trials and drug development provides valuable insights for initiatives like the IHI-funded AutoPix project. With a strong emphasis on patient-centred care, Janssen aims to advance scientific knowledge and improve health outcomes globally.
More here: https://www.janssen.com/belgium/
About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, they believe health is everything. Their strength in healthcare innovation empowers them to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through their expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, they are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver tomorrow's breakthroughs and profoundly impact health for humanity.
More here: https://www.jnj.com/