Royal Philips has unveiled plans to develop a new research and development (R&D) facility in the US for its computed tomography and advanced molecular imaging (CT/AMI) businesses.

The facility which will be built in Cleveland of Ohio will be part of the company’s commitment to innovation with an annual $600m R&D spend in North America.

Philips will also use the funding to advance its Cleveland facility to provide enhanced learning environment for Philips field service engineers and customers from different parts of the world.

The firm also intends to close Cleveland diagnostic imaging manufacturing operations by the second half of this year, as part of its efforts to focus more on innovation and customer services.

At present, the operations make up less than 3% of the total global diagnostic imaging sales volume.

Royal Philips diagnosis and treatment businesses chief business leader Rob Cascella said: “Philips is well underway to step up the long-term success of its diagnostic imaging businesses.

“With these investments, we will accelerate innovation in advanced diagnostic imaging at our Cleveland center of excellence and further enhance our customer services.”

In January this year, Philips has collaborated with Medtronic to develop and commercialise the LungGPS patient management platform.

The patient and data management platform is said to streamline the management of lung nodule patients from identification through diagnosis, treatment and long-term survivorship.

The LungGPS platform uses an artificial intelligence technology to rapidly search and analyze data in various medical reports, helping to gather relevant information for further review and follow up.


Image: Philips to build a new R&D facility for computed tomography and advanced molecular imaging businesses in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: courtesy of Koninklijke Philips N.V.