HistoWiz

HistoWiz, Inc. provides automated histopathology services for researchers in the academic, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical sectors. The company was founded in 2012 by Ke Cheng, PhD, who now serves as a board member. The idea for the company stemmed from Dr. Cheng's own frustrations with the slow and inefficient workflow of traditional histopathology while working as a cancer researcher at Harvard and the Swiss Institute of Experimental Cancer Research. HistoWiz began operations in Brooklyn, NY, in January 2013.

The company's business model centers on streamlining the histopathology process. Clients mail formalin-fixed tissue specimens to HistoWiz's labs. The company then handles tissue processing, embedding, sectioning, and staining, utilizing automation to ensure rapid turnaround times, often as fast as 48 hours. The results are digitized as high-resolution, whole-slide images and uploaded to a proprietary, cloud-based platform called PathologyMap™. This platform allows clients to instantly view, manage, analyze, and share their results from any computer or mobile device without needing to download large files. Revenue is generated through its service offerings, which can be paid for via credit card or purchase orders.

HistoWiz offers a comprehensive suite of services, including precision histology (H&E and special stains), immunostaining (IHC, ISH, and multiplex IF), and slide archiving with bulk whole-slide imaging. A key component of their offering is the PathologyMap™ platform, which not only provides access to digital slides but also includes features for collaboration and AI-driven analysis. This platform hosts what the company states is the world's largest preclinical pathology database, enabling data mining and discovery. Additionally, HistoWiz provides on-demand access to a network of over 100 board-certified pathologists for consultation, interpretation, and diagnosis for both GLP and non-GLP studies.

The company has raised a total of $33.5 million over four funding rounds. A significant milestone was the $32 million Series A round in October 2021, led by Vivo Capital, with participation from investors like venBio, Y Combinator, and Asahi Kasei. This funding was aimed at expanding services, building a flagship lab with advanced robotics, and growing the team. HistoWiz's current CEO is Linh Hoang, MD, PhD. Keywords: histopathology services, digital pathology, preclinical research, tissue processing, whole-slide imaging, PathologyMap, cancer research, drug discovery, automated histology, pathology consultation, immunostaining, slide scanning, laboratory information system, online pathology database, research tools, GLP histology, IHC staining, tissue archiving, biomarker analysis, telepathology, AI in pathology