Bayer radiology pushes efficiency, safety solutions as Korea imaging demand surges

Bayer has built nearly a century of experience in the field of radiology, tracing its origins back to the development of contrast media in 1930 and the introduction of the world's first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast medium in 1988.

The company offers a comprehensive portfolio including contrast media such as Ultravist DEU, Gadovist, and Primovist, alongside the MEDRAD series of contrast injectors and software. The primary mission of the radiology division is to support better patient outcomes by supplying hospitals with integrated solutions for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanning, imaging data acquisition, and cardiovascular imaging procedures.

Andre Wysk, North Asia Country Group Head for Bayer Radiology. (Credit: Bayer Korea)

To explore the evolving landscape of medical imaging and strategic initiatives in the region, Korea Biomedical Review met with Andre Wysk, North Asia Country Group Head for Bayer Radiology, to discuss the integration of AI, sustainability efforts, and patient-centered innovations tailored to the demands of an aging population in Korea.

Wysk explained that the North Asia radiology division's vision for 2030 is to become a complete solution provider that delivers differentiated value by providing integrated solutions including contrast media, injectors, software, and medical support that are tailored to customer needs.

When putting the focus on Korea, Wysk said that the current priorities for the radiology business centers on patient-tailored solutions and safety.

The core challenge facing the radiology sector in Korea, according to Wysk, is a surge in diagnostic examinations driven by a rapidly aging population.

Within a decade, the population aged 60 and older is projected to reach 30 percent. The demographic shift has led to an immense volume of medical imaging overall. For example, the number of computed tomography scans alone reaches approximately 333 per 1,000 population in Korea, the highest among OECD nations and about double the average of other developed countries.

While the high volume demonstrates excellent medical accessibility, it creates significant structural challenges. The sheer number of scans places a heavy burden on a limited number of healthcare professionals, leading to clinician fatigue and operational inefficiencies across all imaging departments.

"Global data indicates that a radiologist has on average, only three to four seconds to interpret a single patient's image, and the absolute lack of interpretation time leads to approximately 40 million diagnostic errors worldwide every year," Wysk said.

Bayer Radiology North Asia Country Group Head Andre Wysk explains the company's strategic focus on addressing the surging demand for medical imaging in an aging society through AI integration, sustainable contrast media usage, and patient safety solutions during an interview in Yeouido, Korea, in late March. (Credit: Bayer Korea)

Targeted solutions for efficiency and safety

To address the widespread issue of clinician burnout and improve operational efficiency without sacrificing accuracy, the company is introducing targeted solutions for specific imaging fields.

In breast diagnostics, for instance, the company is pioneering the adoption of Contrast-Enhanced Mammography.

To maximize the utility of existing resources for the new procedure, the company successfully expanded the indication of its 41-year-old legacy contrast medium, Ultravist DEU, which is traditionally used for computed tomography, to be utilized in Contrast-Enhanced Mammography.

"While conventional mammography is a proven screening method, its sensitivity decreases in women with dense breasts, which accounts for 83.2 percent of Korean women," Wysk said. "Contrast-Enhanced Mammography is highly significant because its sensitivity is nearly comparable to that of magnetic resonance imaging, and the procedure can be completed in less than 10 minutes, which dramatically improves operational efficiency."

Patient safety regarding contrast media hypersensitivity reactions remains another crucial priority amidst the high volume of scans.

According to an analysis of 1,241 patients at Seoul National University Hospital, switching the contrast medium and adding antihistamine premedication lowered recurrence rates of mild hypersensitivity reactions from 31.1 percent to 7.6 percent.

"According to the research, for patients who have experienced hypersensitivity to widely used agents, switching to Ultravist DEU was found to be effective in reducing recurrence rates," Wysk said. "The product has consistently reported low hypersensitivity reaction rates of 0.37 to 0.82 percent in large-scale clinical trials."

The heavy workload on frontline staff is also being addressed through workflow efficiency improvements. The company introduced the U-PAD program to support patient communication by informing patients about physical sensations during contrast media administration. The approach reduces anxiety and systematizes instructions so staff do not have to repeat them individually.

"Customers have shared that examinations are sometimes interrupted due to nausea triggered by the smell of the contrast agent," Wysk said. "The program's guidance to breathe through the mouth rather than the nose has proven effective in reducing nausea and minimizing examination interruptions, making it a valuable tool in daily practice."

Advancing sustainability and artificial intelligence integration

The push for efficiency extends beyond hospital workflows to broader environmental and supply chain challenges. A critical structural issue in the field is the supply of iodine, a finite raw material used in contrast media. Approximately 50 percent of the world's iodine is produced in the Atacama Desert in Chile, and 70 percent of the global supply is concentrated in just three locations.

"Given the trend of increasing examination volumes, price pressures on finite resources are inevitable, and it is time for the healthcare sector to deeply consider the structural challenges posed by raw material supply," the North Asia Country Group Head said.

In Korea, the absolute volume of contrast media used remains exceptionally high due to the prevalent use of fixed-dose protocols. Most hospitals still rely on single-bottle methods, with only 10 to 15 percent utilizing multi-patient products.

Such a procedure often results in a standard 150-milliliter bottle not being fully consumed by a single patient, leading to the disposal of the remaining amount.

To address the waste, the MEDRAD Centargo computed tomography contrast injector system incorporates automated safety features to minimize manual preparation steps.

"Taking a Korean university hospital that implemented the Centargo system as an example, they optimized weight-based Smart Protocols and low kilovoltage peak settings," Wysk said. "By utilizing 500-milliliter large-capacity contrast media for multiple patients, they achieved an annual waste reduction of 2,200 kilograms and a 30 percent reduction in dosage per patient from 100 milliliters to 70 milliliters."

The adoption of data-driven approaches is also expected to play a pivotal role in the workflow optimizations.

In the clinical setting, Smart Protocols software automatically calculates the optimal injection speed and dose for each individual by analyzing variables such as contrast concentration, patient weight, and kidney function indicators.

Looking ahead, the company is addressing unmet needs in the neurology sector with the development of low-dose magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

"Current guidelines recommend regular magnetic resonance imaging scans using gadolinium contrast agents for progressive diseases to monitor their status," the Bayer executive said. "Consequently, we should consider a patient's cumulative lifetime exposure to contrast media, and we expect that low-dose contrast agents will play a vital role in the future."

Initial results from the phase e QUANTI CNS trial for the low-dose contrast agent met all primary endpoints, leading to its first approval in Japan in March, and marketing authorization has already been applied for in Korea.

"The reason Bayer Radiology has been able to lead innovations in the field for the past 100 years is our consistent commitment to listening to the needs of our customers and patients," Wysk said. "We will continue to listen to stakeholders, building close partnerships with customers, the government, and academic societies."