Orion Corporation and Aitia join forces to combat cancer with advanced AI technology

Orion Corporation and Aitia Join Forces to Combat Cancer with Advanced AI Technology

September 15, 2023 – Helsinki, Finland and New York, USA

In a pioneering move to tackle the global challenge of cancer, Orion Corporation and Aitia, an AI-enabled biotechnology company known for its innovative use of Causal AI and “Digital Twins,” have announced a strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance the discovery and development of novel cancer treatments.

Cancer remains one of the most pressing health issues worldwide, with nearly 20 million new cases diagnosed in 2022 and over 10 million deaths attributed to the disease. Projections estimate that the global cancer burden could escalate to 35 million new cases annually by 2050, exacerbated by population growth and ageing demographics. Addressing this urgent need for innovative treatments is at the heart of the Orion-Aitia partnership.

Key Aspects of the Agreement

• Joint Focus: Orion and Aitia will concentrate on translational research to identify and validate novel drug targets. Aitia’s Gemini Digital Twins, enhanced with Causal AI technology, will be employed alongside Orion’s extensive pre-clinical and clinical data and expertise.
• Exclusive Option: Orion is granted an exclusive option to research, develop, and commercialise products targeting the novel drug targets discovered through this collaboration.
• Financial Arrangement: Aitia stands to receive upfront payments and development and regulatory milestone payments exceeding USD 10 million per drug target. Additionally, the agreement includes tiered single-digit royalties on sales of products resulting from this collaboration.

Outi Vaarala, Senior Vice President of Innovative Medicines and Research & Development at Orion, highlighted the potential impact of the partnership: “We are excited to collaborate with Aitia to harness the power of their Gemini Digital Twins and Causal AI technology in the discovery and development of new cancer treatments. Working with them gives us an opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible. By leveraging their cutting-edge technology, we aim to unlock deeper insights into the complex biology of cancer, ultimately accelerating the development of novel therapies that could significantly improve patient outcomes.”

Colin Hill, CEO and co-founder of Aitia, expressed optimism about the partnership: “Our collaboration with Orion is particularly exciting as it brings together our Gemini Digital Twins which leverage large quantities of multi-omic patient data and causal AI and simulation with Orion’s deep expertise in oncology drug discovery and development. By creating highly accurate and predictive models of disease, we can uncover previously hidden mechanisms and pathways, accelerating the discovery of new, more effective medicines. This partnership represents a major step forward in our shared mission to bring innovative treatments to patients suffering from cancer.”

Hill further noted the potential for significant advancements in cancer research and treatment, stating, “This collaboration is another step forward, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to discovering and developing breakthrough therapies that can offer new hope to patients and their families.”

About the Companies

Orion Corporation, with headquarters in Finland, is an innovative pharmaceutical company deeply engaged in oncology drug discovery and development. Aitia, based in the USA, leads advancements in biotechnology through its ground-breaking work with Causal AI and Digital Twins. Together, their combined resources and expertise herald a new era in the fight against cancer, aiming to produce significant advancements in patient care and outcomes.

As the global cancer landscape continues to evolve, partnerships such as this one between Orion and Aitia will be closely watched for their potential to pioneer transformative treatments in the years to come.

Source: Noah Wire Services