FRANCE – Owkin, a precision medicine AI-biotech company, has partnered with Proscia, a leading provider of AI-enabled pathology solutions, to transform the process of Microsatellite Instability (MSI) testing in colorectal cancer (CRC).
This strategic collaboration aims to address the challenges of MSI screening, making it more efficient, accessible, and cost-effective.
The initiative seeks to improve patient outcomes and expand the availability of advanced AI-powered diagnostics.
Beyond MSI testing, the partnership will focus on developing and commercializing additional AI solutions for oncology research and diagnosis.
The role of MSI testing in colorectal cancer
MSI, a genomic biomarker present in approximately 10–12% of CRC cases, is a critical factor in treatment planning.
Patients with MSI-high tumors often respond well to immune checkpoint inhibitors and typically do not benefit from traditional chemotherapy, especially in stage II colorectal cancer.
Recognizing its importance, guidelines strongly recommend universal MSI screening for all CRC patients.
Despite its significance, MSI testing has faced several challenges. Current methods, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and next-generation sequencing (NGS), are costly and resource-intensive.
These techniques often require significant amounts of tissue, making them less feasible in cases where biopsy samples are limited.
Additionally, interpreting results can be subjective and requires expert analysis, further complicating accessibility in resource-constrained settings.
Addressing barriers through AI
To overcome these limitations, Owkin has developed MSIntuit CRC v2, an AI-powered tool designed to predict MSI status by analyzing digital pathology images of colorectal tumors.
This innovation offers a faster, more affordable, and potentially more accessible alternative to conventional testing methods.
As part of their partnership, Owkin’s MSIntuit CRC v2 will be integrated with Proscia’s Concentriq platform, an enterprise-grade pathology solution widely used by laboratories across the globe. This integration is expected to:
Revolutionizing diagnostics
“While MSI screening helps ensure that each patient receives the best course of treatment, it puts added burden on pathologists and laboratories,” explained Dr. Thomas Clozel, MD, CEO of Owkin.
“We are thrilled to partner with Proscia and execute on our shared vision of harnessing the power of AI to transform medical research and diagnosis. Together, we will expand access to our digital diagnostics for patients globally.”
Proscia’s Concentriq platform, already used by leading institutions worldwide, will serve as the foundation for deploying MSIntuit CRC v2 on a global scale.
By integrating Owkin’s cutting-edge AI capabilities into its infrastructure, the partnership addresses the systemic barriers that have historically limited the reach of advanced MSI testing.
A Broader vision for oncology
While the immediate focus is on MSI testing for colorectal cancer, the collaboration between Owkin and Proscia has broader implications for the future of oncology diagnostics.
Both companies plan to develop additional AI solutions to improve the accuracy and efficiency of cancer research and diagnosis.
This could lead to advancements in detecting other cancer biomarkers, enhancing early diagnosis, and enabling more personalized treatment strategies for various types of cancer.
