IBM says it will pay $1 billion to acquire medical imaging and software company Merge Healthcare, part of an effort to boost the health care capabilities of Watson, its cognitive computing system being developed largely at the Riverside Drive labs in Ottawa.
Merge’s technology is used by 7,500 hospitals and doctor’s offices to sort medical images and scans, as well as researchers and pharmaceutical companies. IBM said Thursday it hopes to combine the company’s technology with its Watson system to help customers sort and analyze images, medical scans, lab results and other electronic health records.
The purchase is IBM’s third health-related acquisition since launching its Watson Health unit in April.
OBJ360 (Sponsored)

Glenview Homes Unveils Union West: A New Chapter in Stittsville Living
Union West, Glenview Homes’ highly anticipated new community in the heart of Stittsville is welcoming buyers at its brand-new Sales Centre and model home, The Reveli, located at 6147 Fernbank

Deep retrofits, done differently: new model for building upgrades
Deep energy retrofits are complex and costly – but also unpredictable. Each building has its own unique characteristics, shaped by its history, systems, and structure. For Killam Apartment REIT and
IBM has touted Watson’s ability to absorb information, learning languages and competing on “Jeopardy.” The company is exploring the supercomputer’s applications in a range of fields, from education to banking.