PathXL: Belfast-based medical software firm sold to Philips

BELFAST, 21 June 2016.  The Belfast-based digital pathology firm, PathXL, has been sold to the multinational health technology company, Philips.

PathXL specialises in software that improves the analysis of cancer tumours.

It was established in 2004 as a spinout from Queen’s University Belfast and currently employs 30 people.

Philips chief executive, Frans van Houten, said: ‘The computer can do a much better job than the human eye, as it is much more systematic in analysing tissues.

‘We’re acquiring a company that has deep clinical knowledge and technology to analyse cancerous cells.’

PathXL was founded by Queen’s University academics Prof Peter Hamilton and Dr Jim Diamond.

They are shareholders in the business that has been through several rounds of funding.

Its backers include Crescent Capital, Beltrae Partners and Invest Northern Ireland.

The terms of the sale have not been disclosed.