Medical imaging

Contrast media, Ai and digital platforms: the silent revolution in radiology

How the rules of modern diagnostics are changing with safer technologies, faster reports and sustainability at the centre

by Francesca Cerati

21 April 2025

4' min read

Key points

From X-rays to intelligent diagnostics
New Generations of Law Enforcement Agents
The Evolution of Medical Imaging
Faster, safer and customised diagnosis
Sustainable Solutions

4' min read

The evolution of medical technology has revolutionised the diagnosis of diseases, and contrast agents have played a key role in this process. Today, these specialised agents are essential for improving the quality of radiological images and contributing to more precise and timely diagnoses. In an exclusive interview, Konstanze Diefenbach, Head of Radiology R&D at Bayer AG, and Mario Indaco, former Country Division Head Radiology at Bayer Italy and now Managing Director of Bayer Medical Care B.V., based in Maastricht, the Netherlands, explained how innovation continues to drive progress in radiology, highlighting new challenges, discoveries and applications.

From X-rays to intelligent diagnostics

The beginning of the history of medical imaging dates back to 1890, when Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays, transforming medical diagnosis forever. But it is not only diagnostic devices, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), that have seen enormous advances. Contrast agents, which are now used in hundreds of millions of procedures every year, have also become indispensable tools. These agents, introduced into the body during diagnostic examinations, allow doctors to obtain clearer images, distinguishing selected areas of the body from surrounding tissues. Thanks to this technology, doctors are able to diagnose conditions such as tumours, vascular malformations and neurological disorders with greater precision.

"Bayer was a pioneer in the introduction of MRI contrast agents,' says Diefenbach. 'In 1988 we launched the world's first MRI contrast agent, and in 2005 we introduced the first hepatic agent for this technology. However, the innovation did not stop there. Since the 1990s, gadolinium, a chemical element, has become one of the main ingredients of these contrast agents, improving image quality and minimising side effects.

New generations of contrast agents

Over time, Bayer has introduced a new generation of contrast agents, based on macrocyclic gadolinium, which are more stable than the previous version. "This innovation has led to a reduction in the risk of adverse reactions and has improved image quality," explains Diefenbach. "The introduction of new contrast agents, such as gadoquatrane, represents a further step forward: by reducing the dose of gadolinium administered to patients, we aim to minimise long-term exposure to this element.

Gadoquatrane, in particular, is an advanced macrocyclic contrast agent, which allows a 60% reduction in gadolinium dose compared to standard contrast agents. Clinical trials, such as those in phase III of the Quanti programme, have shown promising results in adults and children, with positive data on key endpoints. "This dose reduction is critical for patients who require multiple MRI scans over the course of their lifetime," Diefenbach continues. "In addition, our commitment to innovation goes beyond just dose reduction: we are also committed to the sustainability of our products and the continuous improvement of radiology technologies.

The evolution of medical imaging

But innovation is not only about contrast media. Digitisation and artificial intelligence (Ai) are opening up new horizons in medical imaging. Bayer has partnered with technology companies such as Subtle Medical to develop deep learning algorithms that can optimise the use of contrast agents. "Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the way contrast agents are used, helping to further reduce doses while maintaining high diagnostic quality," says Indaco. Indeed, the adoption of Ai is enabling faster and more accurate diagnosis, reducing the margin for human error. Today, an estimated 40 million misdiagnoses are made each year, with a huge impact not only on patients' health, but also on healthcare costs. Artificial intelligence makes it possible to significantly reduce this margin of error, reaching accuracy levels close to 95% in some therapeutic areas.

Another example of how Bayer is integrating technology into medical imaging is the Calantic™ Digital Solutions platform. This is a suite of cloud-based solutions designed to optimise the workflow of radiologists. In other words, it works a bit like a subscription service where hospitals can select the packages that best suit their needs, just as one would choose between sports, movies and documentaries on a streaming platform. Only, in this case, it is neurology, chest, breast, cardiology, prostate and musculoskeletal. 'Calantic is not just a software application: it is an ecosystem that supports the daily practice of radiologists, improving diagnostic efficiency and reducing errors,' Indaco explains. 'In Europe, we have already implemented Calantic in countries such as Switzerland and Germany, and in Italy we are completing the first implementations.

One of the most promising aspects of this platform is its ability to cope with the increasing workload in radiology. With the number of diagnostic examinations on the rise, the demand for radiologists is high, but the available staff is limited. 'Artificial intelligence can help reduce image analysis time and enable radiologists to diagnose more patients every day,' says Indaco.

Faster, safer and customised diagnoses

But in an increasingly technological environment, the personalised medicine aspect plays a key role. Medical imaging is evolving towards a tailor-made approach for each patient, improving the possibility of early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. "For example, in breast cancer, women with very dense breasts may not be adequately diagnosed with traditional mammography," explains Diefenbach. "MRI with contrast medium, as recommended by the European Society of Breast Imaging, is a crucial screening modality for these patients.

Sustainable Solutions

Finally, there is the issue of sustainability and how to reduce the environmental impact of this type of product. Bayer has launched initiatives to reduce waste, such as the re:device system, which recovers parts of used injectors, and the re:contrast programme, which collects and recycles residual contrast media.