Owkin partners with AstraZeneca to enhance breast cancer screening using AI

Owkin, an AI-driven biotech company renowned for its innovative approach in drug discovery and diagnostics, has announced a strategic partnership with AstraZeneca, a leading global biopharmaceutical corporation. This collaboration aims to revolutionise breast cancer screening by developing an artificial intelligence-powered pre-screening tool for detecting germline BRCA (gBRCA) mutations.

Unveiled on 25th October, this innovative endeavour seeks to utilise AI to analyse digitised pathology slides, thereby facilitating faster and more widespread access to gBRCA testing. The initiative emerges as part of Owkin’s ongoing collaboration with Gustave Roussy and The Centre Léon Bérard, within the ambit of PortrAIt—a French consortium dedicated to enhancing precision medicine through digital pathology.

The partnership intends to speed up the identification process for individuals carrying mutated BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which significantly increase the risk of developing certain cancers, notably breast and ovarian cancers. This AI tool promises to streamline the diagnostic process, thereby expediting the access and accuracy of BRCA testing. According to Thomas Clozel, MD, CEO of Owkin, this development is poised to reduce care inequities by enabling more personalised patient care through precision genetic testing.

Within this collaborative framework, AstraZeneca’s commitment to advancing precision medicine is likewise underscored, highlighting the critical importance of recognising mutated BRCA genes to improve patient outcomes. Kristina Rodnikova, Head of Global Commercial Diagnostics in Oncology at AstraZeneca, stated that women with BRCA mutations face a significantly heightened risk of developing breast cancer by age 80. The partnership with Owkin will focus on improving detection and expanding the reach of gBRCA testing.

BRCA testing plays a crucial role in assessing individual cancer risks and guiding subsequent treatment pathways. Awareness of a patient’s BRCA status is vital for identifying familial risks and potential responses to targeted therapies.

The PortrAIt consortium represents a government-endorsed initiative aimed at scaling France’s digital pathology infrastructure to better diagnose cancer. Supported by both French national funding mechanisms within the France 2030 framework and the European Union’s France Relance Plan, PortrAIt unites public and private sectors to foster digital pathology advancements through AI.

Owkin has pioneered the integration of advanced AI techniques with laboratory research, enhancing discoveries particularly in oncology, cardiovascular diseases, and immune disorders. With significant investments from notable biopharmaceutical companies and venture funds, Owkin’s initiatives continue to push the envelope in medical innovation. Notably, the company also founded MOSAIC, the world’s largest spatial multi-omics atlas, to aid cancer research across various cancers.

The collaboration between Owkin and AstraZeneca is poised to make significant inroads in the realm of breast cancer diagnostics, potentially setting new standards for personalised healthcare approaches through cutting-edge AI technology.

Source: Noah Wire Services