Medical issues and perspectives

Owkin, a pioneer in AI-driven biotech, and Proscia, a leader in AI-enabled pathology, have partnered to enhance MSI testing for colorectal cancer (CRC), the world’s second most deadly cancer. This collaboration aims to integrate Owkin’s MSIntuit CRC v2 with Proscia’s Concentriq platform, streamlining MSI screening and expanding its accessibility through Proscia’s precision medicine AI portfolio.  

MSI, a genomic biomarker found in 10–12% of CRC cases, is crucial for treatment decisions, as MSI-positive patients benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors but not chemotherapy in stage II. Current testing methods, including IHC staining, PCR, and NGS, can be costly, labor-intensive, and tissue-consuming. MSIntuit CRC v2, with a sensitivity of 95% comparable to standard techniques, offers a more efficient alternative by ruling out nearly half of patients from unnecessary MSI testing.

Dr. Thomas Clozel, CEO of Owkin, emphasized the collaboration's potential to alleviate burdens on laboratories while improving patient outcomes. David West, CEO of Proscia, highlighted the partnership’s role in advancing AI’s impact on pathology and precision medicine.

Owkin joins Proscia’s Ready partner alliance, supporting the integration and scaling of AI-powered digital pathology. Together, they aim to accelerate the adoption of innovative AI solutions for diagnosis and drug discovery, benefiting laboratories and patients globally.

MSIntuit CRC is under development in the US and Europe, with regulatory submissions pending. Both companies remain committed to harnessing AI to transform medical research, diagnostics, and treatment.

Telix Pharmaceuticals has announced plans to expand its theranostic pipeline with new assets targeting Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP), a promising pan-cancer marker in nuclear medicine. Initially focusing on bladder cancer, this initiative complements Telix’s urology franchise, which includes advanced programs for kidney and prostate cancers.  

FAP, expressed in the tumour microenvironment of epithelial cancers and certain cancer types like sarcomas and mesotheliomas, is a compelling target for precision medicine. Telix has secured exclusive global rights to a suite of FAP-targeting radiopharmaceutical candidates through agreements with Professor Frank Roesch and collaborators at Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Germany. These next-generation therapeutic assets feature a novel structure enhancing tumour retention while minimizing off-target effects, addressing limitations of earlier compounds. Clinically validated in over 500 patients across various solid tumours, these assets are backed by extensive peer-reviewed research.  

Richard Valeix, CEO of Telix, emphasized the significance of partnering with Professor Roesch’s team, citing the assets’ de-risked status, demonstrated safety, and efficacy. Telix aims to advance these candidates for bladder cancer treatment while exploring FAP's broader potential as a pan-cancer target, enriching its development pipeline.  

Professor Roesch highlighted the extensive evaluation of FAP inhibitor-based theranostic candidates and acknowledged global collaboration in advancing the molecules. He expressed enthusiasm for Telix’s leadership in radiopharmaceutical innovation, aiming to improve diagnostic precision and therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients through regulatory approval and commercialization.