Malaysia: +603 2779 0098
“Strategic ROI goes beyond the cost of scanners or software. It’s about building a full business case — factoring in cost savings from reduced logistics, faster turnaround times, and global access to expertise”
Dr. Elizabeth Neyens
At this year’s Digital Pathology & AI Congress Europe in London, Dr. Elizabeth Neyens, Principal Consultant and Toxicologic Pathologist at ElizabethToxPath Consulting Inc, will be addressing a question that’s on many minds in the industry: How do you demonstrate true return on investment (ROI) when implementing digital pathology?
We caught up with Dr. Neyens ahead of her talk, “Return on Investment When Implementing Digital Pathology in Pharma & Consultancy,” to explore the key themes she’ll be discussing.
Q: What does “strategic ROI” mean in the context of digital pathology?
Elizabeth Neyens: Strategic ROI goes beyond the cost of scanners or software. It’s about building a full business case — factoring in cost savings from reduced logistics, faster turnaround times, and global access to expertise. In my talk, I’ll show real-world case studies where companies have reduced repeat pathology, improved collaboration, and accelerated project delivery — all translating to measurable financial and operational gains.
Q: Some clients are still hesitant about going digital. How can consultants encourage adoption?
Elizabeth Neyens: Education and experience are key. Pilot studies and side-by-side validations help clients see the visual and operational impact firsthand. Once they experience the quality and efficiency improvements, trust builds naturally. I’ll share some tactics that have worked well in winning over sceptical teams.
Q: Regulatory compliance often feels like a barrier. Is digital pathology extra work or a smarter way to work?
Elizabeth Neyens: It depends on how it’s integrated. If digital systems are validated properly and audit trails are clear, it can simplify GLP compliance. In my session, I’ll outline practical dos and don’ts — from image archiving to validation steps — and clarify when extra documentation is genuinely needed.
Q: Scaling digital pathology operations can be tricky. What are the main bottlenecks you see?
Elizabeth Neyens: The biggest hurdles tend to be infrastructure-related — slide scanning quality control, IT bandwidth, storage, and ensuring viewers are compatible across teams. Communication is another challenge, especially when coordinating offsite pathologists across time zones. My talk includes insights on managing these bottlenecks while maintaining turnaround and data security.
Q: And finally, how do confidentiality and consultant collaboration fit into this picture?
Elizabeth Neyens: With cloud platforms becoming standard, data security and IP management are essential. NDAs, controlled access, and clear definitions of responsibility protect both parties. I’ll also discuss different consultant charging models — from per-slide and per-project to time-based — and how to handle pre-reviews or draft reports efficiently.
Dr. Neyens’ practical, business-oriented perspective promises to resonate with both pharma leaders and independent consultants looking to justify and optimize their digital transformation.
Catch her session at the 12th Digital Pathology & AI Congress Europe — details available at here
Dr. Elizabeth Neyens is an internationally recognized veterinary and toxicologic consultant pathologist with over 20 years of leadership in preclinical safety assessment. Board-certified in toxicology (DABT, ERT), she specializes in digital pathology and the expert interpretation of toxicologic studies for biotech, pharma, and CRO partners worldwide. Dr. Neyens provides GLP and non-GLP histopathology review, digital slide peer review, and regulatory strategy, integrating whole-slide imaging and AI-enabled platforms into routine workflows. She is known for implementing digital pathology solutions that enhance data quality, streamline collaboration across global teams, and support FDA/EMA compliance. Her expertise spans biologics, oncology, autoimmune disease, ocular pathology, and medical device safety. Dr. Neyens excels at translating complex pathology endpoints into actionable insights, enabling CEOs and R&D leaders to de-risk pipelines, accelerate development, and expand preclinical capabilities through innovative digital pathology applications.
https://www.flanderstoxpath-consulting.com/
Only products with same currency can be added to the basket. Clear the basket or finish the order, before adding products with another currency to the basket.
