Scientific Image Verification Tool 'Proofig AI' Integrates with Submission Management System 'Editorial Manager®'

Usaco Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Shinichi Yamakawa), a provider of research support services, is announcing the latest updates for the scientific image verification tool 'Proofig AI'.

Since the beginning of 2026, Proofig AI has announced a series of partnerships with major platforms for academic publishing and research workflows. In particular, the integration with 'Editorial Manager®', the world's most widely used submission and peer review management system, marks a significant milestone in dramatically enhancing the reliability of academic publishing.

■ Partnership with Aries Systems: Automating image verification within the editorial process (Announced in January)

Through the partnership with Aries Systems, it is now possible to directly run image integrity checks using Proofig AI within the workflow of 'Editorial Manager®', which is adopted by many journals worldwide. This allows publishers to screen research images more efficiently and interactively within their existing editorial processes, contributing to the protection of publishers and their communities from scientific misconduct.

■ Partnership with Pangram: Supporting compliance with AI-generated text disclosure requirements (Announced in February)

Proofig AI has partnered with Pangram to extend the functionality of the institutional submission hub 'PubShield', adding automatic screening capabilities for text suspected of being generated or assisted by AI. Users at contracted institutions can utilize Pangram's AI detection software through PubShield, helping them identify areas that may require disclosure or revision in accordance with journal policies and institutional standards. Pangram is currently provided as part of PubShield to institutions with an institutional license.

■ Partnership with LabArchives: Image integrity checks at the early stages of research (Announced in May)

Through the partnership with LabArchives, a major provider of Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN), image verification has been incorporated into the daily research workflow. This makes it possible to discover and correct image defects and errors early on, not just at the time of submission, but from the initial stages of research, thereby raising the reliability of research data itself.

■ Future Outlook

Through these powerful partnerships, Usaco Corporation will continue to provide a more seamless and reliable research environment for Japanese researchers, publishers, and universities/research institutions. In addition to preventing research misconduct, we will contribute to streamlining the operations of all players involved in research and ensuring academic integrity.

Usaco Corporation is the domestic distributor for 'Proofig AI' group and institutional subscriptions in Japan. For details, pricing, or trial requests, please contact us via the inquiry form on our Proofig AI introduction page.