LPixel: AI-Based Image Analysis Solutions for the Life Sciences

A few years back, Yuki Shimahara, CEO and Co-Founder at LPixel was studying at a life science laboratory in the University of Tokyo. Performing biological experiments for life science research was his daily routine. He observed that life science research, particularly in the medical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural fields lacked a systematic solution for scientific research, especially for handling digital images. As a researcher, he knew that dealing with a multitude of images every day and extracting information from those images for analysis was challenging. Pondering over the challenge, he decided to provide image analysis technology to transform the world of life science research. With the approach of bringing cutting-edge image analysis technology to the life science field, Yuki Shimahara co-founded LPixel with two of his co-researchers, Natsumaro Kutsuna and Kei Kojo in 2014.

LPixel, a spin-out venture from the University of Tokyo, promotes research capabilities in the field of life science and image analysis. Integrating technology in the field of life science, LPixel facilitates researchers with its image analysis cloud platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), namely IMACEL. Through the provision of IMACEL, LPixel empowers researchers to carry out a smooth analysis of the desired image with high speed and precision. IMACEL enables researchers to capture quantitative data from a large pile of images in the fraction of the time required to analyze images by hand. With image analysis streamlined with IMACEL, researchers can allot more of their time to research activities including the writing of research papers. Moreover, those details can be utilized for further study such as finding abnormalities in cells. This user-friendly platform processes multiple images at once and has built-in capabilities to automatically generate analysis reports in PDF format, a feature which helps to support the process of writing research papers.

LPixel is currently honing its problem solving capabilities, which stems out from their knowledge and expertise in life science image analysis, to support the image analysis needs in various other industries. Examples include meeting the demands of industries where a high degree of accuracy is required, such as the manufacturing and quality assurance lines for the airline industry.

Employing AI, LPixel provides a medical image diagnostic support system—Eirl to radiologists to carry out high-quality diagnoses smoothly. Eirl not only enables researchers to process the images efficiently, but also serves as a powerful aid in diagnosing patients with various medical conditions. Eirl utilizes a broad range of medical big data such as CTs, MRIs, endoscopes, and other medical images.

The government of Japan listed Yuki as one of the country’s “Next Innovators.” LPixel also received the “Runners-up” award at the “SLINGSHOT@SWITCH 2017” held in Singapore last month. LPixel competed against 900 companies to grab the position in the list of top five startups. "We are a startup company and our work culture resembles that of a laboratory. To develop innovative solutions, we first discuss, gather, and then combine our strengths together,” says Yuki.

Today, LPixel works collaboratively with the National Cancer Center in Japan and several medical institutions to encourage the research and development of medical imaging diagnosis systems that instill AI. The firm has undertaken several national projects and is contributing to society by utilizing advanced technologies. One of the systems currently under development constructs 3D images of pathological tissues and integrates deep learning technology to support the diagnosis process.

LPixel started with three fellow researchers and to this day, the company is expanding with a blend of life science and groundbreaking image analysis solutions. “The 21st century is an era of life science and information technology. The field of life science has an enormous amount of data, and it cannot progress without using technology," enunciates Yuki. LPixel is working towards adapting the latest and innovative technologies to support the research field. The company looks forward to developing medical devices for doctors and improving the research efficiency for its customers. In addition, it envisions building software to smoothen the communication between software developers and life science researchers.