GE Positions Itself for the Future of MedicineGE Positions Itself for the Future of Medicine

The agreement covers two Lilly compounds but could be used for other compounds later if the technology works. Success in developing such a diagnostic technology would not only prevent waste from foregoing a treatment that would be ineffective, but could also lead to a much more streamlined clinical research process. If the potential clinical trial population were screened beforehand for likelihood of response to a therapy, there wouldn't need to be such a large patient population needed in order to prove effectiveness.Second, GE showed off a prototype of a handheld ultrasound system. The original ultrasound systems were large, clunky machines. About five years ago, GE and its competitors were able to make the system into something about the size of a laptop. The next step, which the firm believes is less than 10 years away, is to make the system into something about the size of an IPod. If priced appropriately, a primary care physician could use it as a screening tool, as commonly as he or she uses a stethescope.These and other things show that the firm is positioning itself to be a major player in the transformation of the practice of medicine. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out.-- Erik Swain