AIQ Solutions earns new Category III CPT code for comprehensive lesion-level assessment of metastatic cancer

AIQ Solutions, a Madison-based imaging analytics company advancing precision response assessment in metastatic disease, announced that the American Medical Association (AMA) has approved a new Category III CPT^® code enabling clinicians and health systems to report and track use of AIQ’s technology for determining heterogeneity of treatment response across all lesions in patients with advanced metastatic cancer. The code is intended for use with AIQ’s TRAQinform IQ platform, a quantitative imaging solution that evaluates treatment response at the lesion level across a patient’s entire disease, supporting more informed, data-driven clinical decisions.

The Category III CPT code recognizes the expanding clinical value of lesion-level analytics in complex oncology care. Traditional response measures often fail to capture the varied ways individual tumors respond to therapy. By quantifying this heterogeneity, TRAQinform IQ can help clinicians:

Identify nonresponding lesions earlier
Adapt treatment strategies based on individual lesion behavior
Improve clinical decision-making for late-stage, metastatic disease
Advance research and multisite study consistency through standardized reporting

While approximately 1,400 different AI-enabled Software as a Medical Devices (SaMD) have been cleared by the FDA, fewer than 30 have received CPT codes – AIQ is now included among that significantly smaller subset.

“This CPT code represents a critical step toward broader clinical adoption of technology that can transform care for patients with advanced cancer,” said Eric Horler, President and CEO of AIQ Solutions. “By formally recognizing the unique analysis our platform provides, the AMA has helped pave the way for oncologists to access intelligence that can guide more timely and effective treatment decisions.”

As part of the Isthmus Project portfolio, AIQ Solutions exemplifies our mission to accelerate innovation that improves access, quality, and outcomes for patients while creating scalable, system-ready solutions. The Category III CPT code supports standardized reporting for AIQ’s technology in real-world practice and research—laying groundwork for multisite studies, new operational pathways, and, in time, the potential for direct reimbursement after demonstrating clinical utility.

“AIQ’s progress shows why we invest in tools that turn complex data into actionable insights. We’re proud to support AIQ in as they improve care for patients with advanced metastatic disease.” — Elizabeth Hagerman, PhD, Executive Director, Isthmus Project

About AIQ Solutions

AIQ Solutions develops quantitative imaging analytics that evaluate treatment response across the full burden of metastatic disease, enabling clinicians to visualize, quantify, and track lesion level changes over time. Its TraqInform IQ platform supports decision making in complex oncology care by surfacing differential response patterns across individual lesions.

References

Archeus Technologies advances prostate cancer research with new collaboration and FDA clearance

We’re thrilled to share the latest milestone from our portfolio company, Archeus Technologies, as they announce a new collaboration with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) to advance a novel radiopharmaceutical for prostate cancer. In a major step forward, the FDA has cleared the Investigational New Drug (IND) application for ART-101, paving the way for a Phase 1 clinical trial in men with prostate cancer later this year.

ART-101 was discovered and developed by Reinier Hernandez, PhD, at the Advanced Radiotheranostics Lab at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Elizabeth Hagerman, Executive Director of the Isthmus Project and Chief Innovation Officer at UW Health, commented:

“We continue to be impressed by the progress Archeus is making toward transforming cancer treatment. This collaboration and the recent FDA clearance are further demonstrations of their strategic vision and the promise of their approach to developing innovative radiopharmaceuticals.”

Press Releases

We’re excited to join the Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, installment of SMPH Collaborate, focusing on health care innovation. This event, hosted by the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies. The goal of this series is to foster connections among UW investigators, researchers, and learners.

The panel will feature our own Elizabeth Hagerman of the Isthmus Project alongside three faculty members who have leveraged personalized support from the Isthmus Project. Whether you’re curious about innovation, commercialization, investment, or exploring your opportunities, this event is for you.

Friday, Jan. 31
3-5 p.m.
Health Sciences Learning Center Room 1335.

Event Details and Registration

Guest businesswoman Elizabeth Hagerman, PhD, currently serving as Chief Innovation Officer for UW Health and Executive Director of UW Health’s Isthmus Project, an innovation initiative in partnership with the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Hear Elizabeth share insights from her experiences, offer advice, and engage in discussion over coffee and pastries at Her Network on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 9 am.

Her Network

Indiana University’s early-stage venture and angel investment arm, has awarded three individuals—Elizabeth Hagerman, Gregg Summerville, and Ted Widlanski—with the Spirit of Venture Award. The award, which is presented annually in partnership with Bridge Bank, celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation across the entire IU community.

“Elizabeth, Gregg, and Ted are three of the biggest and best advocates for what we’re doing at IU Ventures,” said Tony Armstrong, president and CEO of IU Ventures.

In this episode, Starting Block’s Executive Director and Co-host, Scott Mosley, talks with Elizabeth Hagerman, Executive Director of Isthmus Project and Chief Innovation Officer of UW Health. Gain valuable perspectives on leadership, innovation, and technology in health care in this engaging discussion.

Listen to the Podcast

Isthmus Project is co-sponsoring an in-person event, Demystifying the FDA Regulatory Path and Profession for Medical Devices and Software, on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. during UW-Madison’s Innovate Week, coordinated by Discovery to Product. Lunch will be provided. Find out more and register here!

Event Link

Advancing the future of health care in Wisconsin — the mission of UW Health’s Isthmus Project — will move a little more easily, thanks to a recent $350,000 Capital Catalyst grant awarded by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Launched in 2019 as UW Health’s innovation hub, Isthmus Project invests in promising start-up businesses affiliated with UW and UW Health faculty and staff seeking to develop new ways to advance health care and improve patient outcomes.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous WEDC grant that will significantly enhance our ability to support commercialization of health care ideas generated by our faculty and staff,” says UW Health Chief Innovation Officer and Isthmus Project Executive Director Elizabeth Hagerman. “WEDC and Isthmus Project share similar goals that will be more readily achieved, thanks to this grant.”

Missy Hughes, WEDC Secretary and CEO, said the Capital Catalyst grant demonstrates confidence in Isthmus Project’s record.

“WEDC has watched the continuous evolution of Isthmus Project and the businesses it has supported since 2019,” Hughes said. “Over the past four years, Isthmus Project has engaged more than 100 health care innovators and invested in several health care start-up businesses launched by UW Health faculty physicians. We look forward to the impact these emerging technologies will have on patients, Wisconsin’s workforce, and the community.”