Released on: February 25, 2008, 8:27 am

Press Release Author: Rene Hermes

Industry: Pharmaceuticals

Press Release Summary: Munich, Germany and Montpellier, France - February 25th, 2008
- Montpellier Rio Imaging (MRI), a life science imaging facility located in the
Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, has decided to use Definiens technology. The
facility is supported by the French Ministry of Scientific Research, CNRS, INSERM,
INRA, CIRAD, IRD and Montpellier University and shared by leading French federal
research institutes and universities. Scientific personnel from any public or
private organizations have access to it. As requirements regarding the quantity and
quality of imaging grow, new solutions in image acquisition and analysis are needed.
Definiens, the number one Enterprise Image IntelligenceT company, will now provide
its key technology for high content image analysis and data management to MRI.

Press Release Body: Munich, Germany and Montpellier, France - February 25th, 2008 -
Montpellier Rio Imaging (MRI), a life science imaging facility located in the
Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, has decided to use Definiens technology. The
facility is supported by the French Ministry of Scientific Research, CNRS, INSERM,
INRA, CIRAD, IRD and Montpellier University and shared by leading French federal
research institutes and universities. Scientific personnel from any public or
private organizations have access to it. As requirements regarding the quantity and
quality of imaging grow, new solutions in image acquisition and analysis are needed.
Definiens, the number one Enterprise Image IntelligenceT company, will now provide
its key technology for high content image analysis and data management to MRI.

Towards a large scale imaging center for life science applications
With research activities ranging from cancer and neurology to plant science, the
Languedoc-Roussillon area is highly acclaimed as a top French life science research
and industry center. MRI provides the environment, equipment and expertise necessary
for methodological and technical support of projects that necessitate imaging
technology in whatever form - optical, electronic, computer processing. The facility
is planning to offer its leading edge scientific community a global automated
solution for cell-based assays and large-scale histopathology.

High content image analysis and data management solution needed
To complement a recent investment in new image-acquisition devices for the screening
of cell culture plates and scanning of histology slides, MRI needed a new high
content image analysis and data management solution. Dr. Julien Cau, CNRS engineer,
Deputy Manager in Charge of Light Microscopy, at MRI: "Our new devices are
performing an amazing job compared to the previous generation, but this kind of
technology is pointless if automated, large-scale image analysis can\'t be
performed."

During the decision-making process regarding the choice of high content image
analysis and data management solutions, it became clear that only Definiens meets
all the following requirements:
o Speed and performance: With the Definiens image analysis technology, MRI processes
will be automated. Definiens Methodology first segmentation and second
classification enables researchers to focus on the area of interest - they do not
have to analyze the entire slide.
o Flexibility: The Definiens platform was the only single solution MRI considered
compatible with specific client requirements regardless of life science research
field.
o Processing of high volume files: Definiens is unique in its ability to process
many different file formats, especially the high volume files produced by the latest
slide scanners. Batch processing and job scheduling capabilities featured in the
software enable efficient processing.
o Centralized data management: The platform will be centralized to share information
and to run from every unit of the facility, enabling data management across town and
borders.
o Integration of MRI's know-how: The Definiens context-based approach enables MRI to
integrate its researchers' expertise into the software. Thus, invaluable knowledge
is not lost and is available for other researchers.

Montpellier Rio Imaging Chief Manager Dr. Pierre Travo is quite confident:
"Definiens solutions will play a decisive role in MRI continuous efforts for the
development of new services in biological imaging.\"



Image 1: 16 days Rat embryo (OFA IOPS), Stage 23 (Carnegie Institution
classification), 7µm thick Sagittal section, Heidenhain blue staining.

Image: Courtesy of Professor R. Cristol-Gaubert and Professor G. Godlewski,
Laboratory of Experimental Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Montpellier - Nîmes,
University Montpellier I, F 30900 Nîmes, France




Image 2: Automatic detection of Meckel\'s cartilage (Mandibular process). Automatic
detection was performed using Definiens solution. Liver, ventriculus lateralis and
green stained \"dorsal side\" were first automatically detected. Bone and cartilage
were further detected and the Meckel\'s cartilage was automatically identified due to
its position relative to Liver, Ventriculus lateralis and \"Dorsal side".

Image: Courtesy of Professor R. Cristol-Gaubert and Professor G. Godlewski,
Laboratory of Experimental Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine Montpellier - Nîmes,
University Montpellier I, F 30900 Nîmes, France








About Montpellier RIO Imaging
Montpellier RIO Imaging is Languedoc - Roussillon (South of France) regional core
imaging facility. It was created by the turn of 2003 with the mission to provide
expertise and support to any academic or industrial projects (research, RD, quality
control, production) that necessitate light and electron microscopy and cytometry
and their further processing, reconstruction and analysis. As early as late 2003,
MRI planned a general development policy for its equipments aiming at a significant
increase in image acquisition productivity and lowering of image unit cost with a
specific interest in image acquisition automation and image analysis efficiency (for
details see www.mri.cnrs.fr) with an opening towards imaging large size objects.
In 2007, 410 users worked for 35 480 hours in image production and analysis using 43
work stations (light microscopy, cytometry, computers) distributed over 6 sites in
Montpellier.

Definiens in Life Sciences
By automating image analysis on an enterprise level, Definiens supports Life Science
organizations to analyze and interpret vast numbers of images accurately and
consistently. Definiens improves the measurement of cell assays, the examination of
tissue samples and the interpretation of non-invasive imaging, enabling high-content
screening, digital pathology and translational medicine.

About Definiens
Definiens is the number one Enterprise Image Intelligence company for analyzing and
interpreting images on every scale, from microscopic cell structures to satellite
images. The Definiens Cognition Network Technology®, developed by Nobel laureate
Prof. Gerd Binnig and his team, is an advanced and robust context-based technology
designed to fulfill the image analysis requirements of the Life and Earth sciences
markets. The technology is modeled on the powerful human cognitive perception
processes to extract intelligence from images. Definiens provides organizations with
faster image analysis results, allowing deeper insights enabling better business
decisions. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany and has offices
throughout the United States. Further information is available at www.definiens.com.

Definiens, Definiens Cellenger, Definiens Cognition Network Technology, Definiens
eCognition, Enterprise Image Intelligence and Understanding Images are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Definiens.


Press contacts:
Definiens
Rene Hermes, Vice President Marketing
rhermes@definiens.com


Lucy Turpin Communications GmbH
Eva Hildebrandt
definiens@lucyturpin.com
+49 (0)89 417761-14



Web Site: http://www.definiens.com

Contact Details: Definiens AG
Rene Hermes
Trappentreustrasse 1
80339 München
Germany
Tel. +49-89-23 11 80-0
Fax +49-89-23 11 80-90
eMail rhermes@definiens.com