GE Healthcare has announced its acquisition of U-Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of ultrasound products specifically designed for breast applications. U-Systems Inc. has developed the somo•v® Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS), the first and only ultrasound system on the market approved in the United States for breast cancer screening as an adjunct to mammography for asymptomatic women with greater than 50 percent dense breast tissue and no prior breast interventions.
“The combination of U-Systems, Inc. and GE Healthcare uniquely positions GE to offer US healthcare providers and their patients the most comprehensive portfolio of breast care innovations on the market - from screening to diagnosis to monitoring,” said Tom Gentile, president and CEO of GE Healthcare Systems.
“In addition to digital mammography and breast MR, GE can now offer breast screening ultrasound technology to our customers to help in early detection - which provides for more treatment options.”
Ron Ho, U-Systems President and CEO, said, "We are very excited to become part of GE Healthcare's team. The worldwide resources of GE Healthcare will allow us to expand and accelerate our efforts to commercialize the recently FDA-Approved somo•v® ABUS. With our combined resources and capabilities, we have the opportunity to make a significant impact on breast cancer detection and patient outcomes around the world. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to develop new technologies, products and applications for breast cancer screening. The entire U-Systems team looks forward to joining GE."
Dr. Rachel Brem, M.D, Principal investigator of the SOMO-INSIGHT clinical study, said, “Mammography is an effective tool at finding breast cancer, but it doesn’t work equally well in everyone. Recently completed studies demonstrated with the addition of somo•v® ABUS we find about 30 percent more cancers in women who have a normal mammogram, normal physical examination and dense breasts. For the more than 40 percent of women who have dense breasts, this is a significant advancement in their breast healthcare.”
