Signify Premium Insight: Bayer Acquires Blackford as Platforms Become Priority

Bayer, a vendor best known in radiology as a supplier of contrast agents, has revealed further intentions on medical imaging AI with the purchase of platform provider Blackford Analysis. The German firm’s announcement follows its entry into the AI platform space last year with the launch of Calantic, itself developed in conjunction with Blackford.

Bayer and Blackford have an established history together, with Blackford also being part of the larger vendor’s G4A Incubator programme in 2019. Despite this heritage, Bayer has said it will allow Blackford to continue to operate relatively independently, at ‘arm’s length’ from its parent company, while Bayer continues to offer its own Calantic platform.