BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Bayer is expanding its radiology business with the acquisition of an automated image recognition specialist. According to a statement Wednesday, the pharmaceutical and agrochemical group is buying Blackford Analysis, a U.K.- and U.S.-based artificial intelligence (AI) specialist. A purchase price was not disclosed. Blackford is to continue to operate as a largely independent company, the statement added. The two companies had already joined forces at the end of 2020 with a development cooperation, as a result of which Bayer launched an image processing platform in 2022.

Basically, the use of software is intended to help evaluate computer tomographies faster and more accurately, for example. Bayer's radiology business offers contrast agents for computed tomography, X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as injectors and software solutions. In 2021, the business generated sales of 1.8 billion euros. That was around four percent of the Dax company's total revenues.

Bayer Pharmaceuticals CEO Stefan Oelrich had already mentioned digital offerings in radiology as a focus of investment in an interview with financial news agency dpa-AFX at the beginning of January./mis/ngu/stk