Bayer Launches Centafore™: A Comprehensive Imaging Core Lab to Support Clinical Trials and SaMD Innovation
Bayer has officially unveiled its Imaging Core Lab under the brand name Centafore™, signaling a strategic expansion of its imaging services to a global audience. With a proven track record of supporting over 200 clinical trials across its internal and affiliate networks over the past 25 years, Bayer is now opening its specialized imaging expertise to the broader life sciences ecosystem. Centafore™ will provide end-to-end support for clinical trials and Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) development across a spectrum of therapeutic areas and research phases.
The launch is set to be a central focus at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago, held from May 30 to June 3. Attendees can engage with the Centafore™ team and explore its technological capabilities and service portfolio at Booth #24152.
A Legacy of Imaging Excellence
Centafore™ leverages Bayer’s decades-long expertise in radiology, advanced analytics, and imaging informatics. It offers an integrated suite of technology and services designed to streamline image acquisition, management, processing, and interpretation. The platform is built to support study sponsors with robust project management capabilities and sophisticated analytical tools for high-quality image evaluation.
Its service network spans over 50 countries, connecting sponsors to an international team of imaging specialists, including board-certified radiologists and expert data scientists. This global reach ensures consistent data quality and regulatory alignment across international trial sites.
Elevating Clinical Trial Imaging
According to Nelson Ambrogio, President of Radiology at Bayer, the launch of Centafore™ is a major milestone in Bayer’s mission to advance clinical imaging.
“Centafore™ represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to enhancing the landscape of clinical trial imaging and advancing the development of new medicines and healthcare solutions,” said Ambrogio. “By leveraging our extensive experience and expertise, we are dedicated to providing our customers with high quality imaging services that meet their specific needs in clinical research. Through Centafore™, we aim to enhance the reliability of trial outcomes and support informed decision-making in the development of investigational medicines, ultimately benefiting patients and improving their quality of care.”
Centafore™ is uniquely positioned to support a variety of therapeutic areas including:
- Oncology
- Cardiovascular Diseases
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders
- Dermatology
- Women’s Health
- Pediatric Conditions
- Digital Health Applications
Supporting All Phases of Development
Centafore™ is designed to provide scalable solutions across all phases of clinical research — from early-stage discovery to late-stage Phase IV trials. The lab also specializes in enabling the development and validation of SaMD solutions by ensuring compliance with international regulatory and data privacy standards, including HIPAA, GDPR, and GCP (Good Clinical Practice).
Technology-Driven Image Intelligence
At the core of Centafore™ is a commitment to innovation and digital transformation. Its cloud-based infrastructure and AI-augmented workflows allow for the real-time, secure sharing and processing of imaging data. This enables adaptive trial designs and accelerates timelines, reducing time-to-market for investigational therapies.
Additionally, Centafore™’s imaging platform facilitates centralized image reads, endpoint adjudication, and cross-modality harmonization. The goal is to reduce variability, enhance data quality, and ensure that imaging endpoints contribute effectively to clinical decision-making.
Collaborating to Advance Healthcare Innovation
Centafore™’s launch also reflects Bayer’s broader commitment to fostering innovation through strategic partnerships. Having previewed its Imaging Core Lab services at ECR 2024, Centafore™ is already engaging with startups and health tech innovators.
Collaborations with organizations like OBIO® (Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization) and Luxsonic Technologies underscore the potential of clinical imaging as a cornerstone of data-driven healthcare solutions. These partnerships aim to expand access to cutting-edge imaging capabilities and enhance the utility of imaging in real-world evidence generation.
A Future-Oriented Vision
With the formation of Centafore™, Bayer is not only building on its legacy of excellence in medical imaging but also creating a flexible, customer-centric solution tailored for the demands of modern clinical development. Centafore™ stands as a powerful enabler for trial sponsors seeking precision, speed, and scalability in imaging data management.
This initiative marks a transformative chapter in Bayer’s journey as a radiology leader, offering pharma, biotech, and digital health companies the imaging infrastructure they need to innovate with confidence and deliver better health outcomes worldwide.
As Centafore™ prepares to take center stage at ASCO 2025, the healthcare and research communities can expect a renewed emphasis on imaging as a strategic asset in clinical development — a vision Bayer is clearly committed to realizing.
